Locomotive won't move

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
21

I would try setting the short address (CV1) to 68 and see if that works. If it does, it means you are able to change the address (whether your system is able to read it back or not.)

Then try setting to some other long address, like 768. If it won’t take that, then CV29 probably isn’t set to allow long (128 or higher) addresses. Adjusting CV29 per the decoder manual should fix that.

Last, if it takes the three digit, try a four digit address but not 3768 - change one number, like 4768 or 3767. If that works, it could be that 3768 is part of a consist you set up in the past. That would prevent you from using it on it’s own now.

If that’s the case, your decoder system’s manual should have instructions on how to clear out all consists in it’s memory. Once you do that, then try programming it to the 3768 address again.

22

It’s circumstances like these that make me think he should strongly consider JMRI. All this CV stuff (without explaining what the decimal numbers are doing to set binary digits as ‘flags’, no less!) is like programming a two-button watch using only your elbow. It helps to see everything on a screen, especially if your base system claims it ‘cannot read CVs’.

23

Hello All,

As a married man, I am often wrong.

As much as “She Who Must Be Obeyed” disagrees- -I do admit it!

In my previous post, I stated that in the “Long Address” (Extended Address) mode all 4-digits need to be used, and that leading zeroes are not recognized.

After doing some address programming experimentation I realized…

I am wrong!

To clarify- -I am using the NCE DCC system; Wireless 5 Amp Power Pro, with mostly Digitrax decoders: DH126 and DH166 series, a few TCS, and OEM Bachmann.

I do use JMRI Decoder Pro powering a separate programming track through a Digitrax PR3 driven from a Mac.

For this “test” I used a Bachmann GP38-2 (diesel) with an OEM PCB decoder and the “Programming On The Main” function from the DCC system.

I also removed all locomotives on my pike before programming, to avoid any possible batch programming errors.

On my roster, this unit is assigned the 4-digit address 3524.

With the NCE system the prompts are as follows to change an existing address:

  • Press "PROG/ESC
  • PRG LOCO ON MAIN (Press Enter)
  • PROG LOCO: 3524 (Press Enter)
  • LOCO: 3524 1=ADR 2=CV 3=CFG (Press 1)
  • SET ADDR 1=LONG 2=SHORT (Press 1)
  • SET ADDR LONG ADDR: (Key In) 2-8-8 (Press Enter)

To confirm the new address I cycled through the direction with the lights (F0) enabled to confirm the new address and correct direction; F=Forward, R=Reverse.

When I ramped up the throttle (128 steps enabled) the loco responded.

Next, I stopped the locomotive, and called up the address through the keypad:

  • SELECT LOCO (Key In) 2-8-8 (Press Enter)
  • Went through the standing confirmation process as above
  • Throttled up and away she went!

There are a couple of resources yo

24

I went back and reread the bLI loco manual.

IT might as well have been in Greek.

Then I reread my NCE PowerCab manual.

I found the answer to my problem there!

I forgot to push the number “1” button on my PowerCab to activate the new long address.

After I reset the short address from 3 to the loco cab side number 3768, the address was activated and it runs fine now!

Totally my mistake to begin with. When all else fails “read the instructions” !!![8-|]