I sent someone a set of HO scale PCM PA/PB/PAs with LokSound, and he e-mailed me saying he is having problems. Apperantly he is getting sound, but the things aren’t moving. When I sent them, I forgot to reset to the factory defaults, and left them in a consist based on the lead units cab number (6035). They were running just fine before I sent them to him. I have an NCE system, and he told me that he has an MRC system.
Any ideas on what might be going on here? Thanks!!!
Did you tell him the consist address so he can use that with his MRC system? That should be all that he has to do to get any of them to run, because the consist address is stored in the decoder(s) and each engine within a consist will run independently on the consist address.
If his MRC system doesn’t support consisting, he can cancel it by programming CV 19 with a value of zero.
I told him the consist address, and he said that still didn’t solve the problem. He told me that he is new to DCC, so that kind of scares me. I did read in some MRC literature that locomotives programmed using their older systems, and different manufacturer’s systems, might not work with their newer systems. They say that you need to re-program the decoders using the new system to get the locomotives to operate properly. I think that may be where the problem lies and sent that info on to him.
I hope he can figure out the reset (CV8, value 8), and go with address 003.
As I read this, my first thought went to the long address you have (had) programmed them to, and whether or not the MRC system can handle them…
Best bet would be for him to break out the manual and figure that problem out… or just reset the decoder to factory defaults…
Hello, sounds familiar! In my case, I found that the MRC Prodigy Advance (2.5a.)just didn’t have the poop for some of the newer engines, especially BLI’s The lights and sound all work, but no go! But they all worked fine with Digitrax! It was a big puzzle because some of my earlier and/or smaller locos ran just fine on the PA. I have run a pair of E-7’s, and my NW2 switchers just fine on the PA, but could not get a friend’s RS3 or SD40-2, or his newest MP15AC to run with it! They run fine with Digitrax (5 a.) Yay, progress! jc5729 John Colley, Port Townsend, WA
I have suggested both the re-program with his MRC system, or performing a decoder reset. Between those two things, he should be able to get them running.
I appreciate the help so far. I just wished folks would try opening the manual more often…
Is F6 on? If so, the locos wont actually move. F6 controlls notch down.
David B
I am not sure exactly what all he has tried. The best that I have gotten is that he put them on the track, and they didn’t move (and that he tried the consist # that I gave him). From the sounds of it, he has never had a “used” sound and DCC loco before, and really hasn’t had to deal with any kind of troubleshooting or programming issues.
I could really kick myself in the rear for not resetting those things.
I have two BLI engines with sound and if F6 is on the engines wont move, Like having to release the brakes, then they move. Just like the real ones. It couldnt be that simple now could it. Not in this hobby.
Another question that needs to be answered is, what MRC system does he have? If it’s one of their original ones, they were really brain dead and didn’t support 4 digit addresses.
And since he is, as you say, really new to the world of DCC, is he sure he even has a DCC system and not a plain MRC DC power pack?
Just as an update, he called PCM customer service (as I suggested to him in the first place), and they helped him figure everything out. He wasn’t able to tell me exactly what the “problem” was, but I would assume that they had him reset the decoders to factory defaults. I appreciate all the help and advise. This ticket is now closed.[:)]
I had to add a programming track booster to my layout to get any BLI/PCMs to work right using my Prodigy Advance. After I put it in and reprogrammed my locos everything worked great.