I can program regular decoders without any issues, but try as I might I can not program a locomotive with sound.
I have several Broadway limited and Athearn engines still with default 03 as adresses related to not being able to change any cv values. Readback always tells me the address is 256.
I have a Digitrax DS100 and isolated programming track.
I have tried all modes of programming the Digitrax system allows.
I am at a loss.
Any help is appreciated.
The programming circuitry in the DCS100 was designed before the advent of power-hungry sound decoders, and sometimes just isn’t up to the task of programming them. You have three options:
Program them on the main. See your Digitrax manual (also available online at the Digitrax Web site) for instructions on how to program on the main.
Buy a programming track booster.
Instead of the programming track booster, buy a Digitrax PR3 and use it’s programming track outputs instead of the DCS100’s, to do your decoder programming. My PR3 programs Soundtraxx Tsunami and LC, QSI, BLI, ESU, and of course Digitrax sound decoders with ease.
In my opinion, the PR3 is a better solution than the programming track booster, because it also gives you the option of connecting a computer to the LocoNet and using all the features of JMRI or other software.
I use a PR3 as well but use an 18Volt power supply with it and JMRI .Swometimes with Soundtraxx you sometimes need to program the decoder to a different 2 digit address then reprogam it to the four digiet address you want. I program the address on the main using the pg or pd method. Make sure only the loco you want to program is on the maim or else all loco’s will be programmed. Joe
if you have not done this before, then I recommend the simplest if the options:
This is works for me well and I have not connected a program track to my PR3 just because I don’t have to. Using the JMRI program through PR3 makes this much easier as JMRI remembers things for you. But that may be a complication/cost you might not want to deal with right away.
Hope this helps.
NP
Only the Zephyr has blast mode. The OP stated he has a DCS100 (Super Chief).
I have found that the reason most seem to have a problem programming a BLI engine is due to the VERBAL SPEAKBACK from the Decoder!
While some will argue with this - in EVERY Case with the BLI engines that was the cause!
I have done it on the PROGRAMMING TRACK as well as on OPS Mode on the Main!
All I ever have done is (when using the DT400/402 Throttles) is to press the “Y” button 3 times in a row
When you input the Engine number and hit ENTER - then the Screen asks 4 Digit ? “Y”
You need to press the “Y” button to set the address to 4 digit!
Once you do that the Screen will again show the 4 Digit “Y” again - MOST Exit at this point and the programming is done!
NOT WITH THE BLI engines!
Just Press the “Y” button again!
Then it comes back up again - PRESS the “Y” button one more time!
WHY?
Becaues the BLI engines tries to speak back the VALUE that has just been PROGRAMMED ! (the engine number)
Due to this SPEAKBACK it will MISS the Input of the “Y” press on the Throttle
Pressing the “Y” button 2 more time will change the Decoder CV29 value from #6 to #38 every time!
When the SPEAKBACK first happens the Decoder missed the WRITE command to change CV29
How do I know this as I was having this problem for a long time and finally decided to find out why and read CV29 and sure enough it was still set at #6
I would change it to #38 and the engine would NOW run with the 4 Digit address!
AND if one ever uses JMRI/Decoder PRO - WHAT is the first thing they note with BLI engines?
TURN OFF THE Decoder SPEAKBACK before trying to PROGRAM the BLI Decoder !
Now WHY is THAT???
So save yourself the money of buying a Program Booster (as those companies only want to sell you more stuff instead of telling you HOW to program the engine without the NEED of a PROGRAMMING BOOSTER) and tr
… and what is your answer for the Athearn / Tsunami decoder ? …
Mark.
Mark
I have a number of Bowser C636 engines with the Tsunami decoders in them and I just put them on my programming track DCS100/200 and programmed the engine numbers in them with no problems!
If it doesn’t work then get it running on 03 and reprogram the engine number in OPs Mode on the Main!
Use the same method as I did with the BLI engines!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
Well, until the OP checks back in, we won’t know if that solved his dilemma or not …
Mark.
[:$]
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I already had the PR3 and JMRI software. It seems to work fine with NON sound decoders. As soon as I put a BLI or athearn engine on the main or programming track I get nothing. No read or write of any CV’s.
As an added note, the locos do run fine with all fuctions/sound while in the current default of address 3.
I have a 14v supply to the PR3 and am now currently looking for a 18v that will plug into the PR3.
Can’t believe a different supply is necessary to make this work, shame on Digitrax if it’s true. I have even talked with their rep at a train show about this before.
Not “shame on Digitrax”, shame on the manufacturers of sound decoders with excessive current requirements.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Sound decoders sold by Digitrax and I think ESU don’t have those excessive current demands. They can be programmed on programming tracks that meet the NMRA specs, and they don’t cause inrush/recovery isses when the layout experiences a short.
From what I understand, in most cases it would require nothing more than an additional resistor and capacitor on a sound decoder to mitigate those power issues.
IF YOU would read the instructions on the BLI page in DECODER PRO you will see that it states that the SPEAKBACK needs to be turned off (which Decoder Pro will do for you).
You can keep throwing money away buying more stuff
But you will find that shutting OFF the SPEAKBACK in the BLI decoder
FIXES THE PROBLEM!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
Yeah but that doesn’t fix Tsunamis. I solved that problem by not using any Tsunami decoders any more. I am now 100% Loksound except for 1 QSI in an Atlas, and turning off the verbal readback allows that one to program just fine.
–Randy
I would love to read the BLI directions on the BLI page (you speak of) but can’t seem to find them. So can you help me out with a link without using capitals letters or insinuations that I don’t read?
Thank you.
Update…
I have my 5 BLI locos with new addresses all programmed on the main.
3 had to be factory reset with pushing the button on the decoder. They wouldn’t reset with just changing CV8. Then changed on the main with a 2 digit address (as someone mentioned).
2 were changed while on the main without difficulty, not sure why it didn’t work the first, second, 3, 4, ect times.
None of them had the ‘speakback’ turned off, so that isn’t consistent for a requirement.
All were programmed with my controller. Never could get JMJR to read or write on main or programming track. Maybe thats the ‘speakback’ thing, I’ll look in to that later.
Still have an Athearn FP45 that plays sound but doesn’t move, and at this time will not reset on the main.
Oh and I did get a 18v supply ($16) for the PR3 I already had but it hasn’t seemed to change anything yet.
I work the next few days so everything is on hold for now.
Thanks for the input.
Tis why I love my DB150…no current limiting. David B
I have a new BLI N Scale engine I got a few days back. I programed it on the main after removing my other engines and used the book that comes in the case under the foam for instructions. I use a DigiTrax Super Chief Xtra and had no problems. I have another BLI engine on it’s way and will program it the same way. Love their product! Doug
You are using the PR3’s programming outputs, right? And you have your JMRI preferences set with “PR3 Standalone programmer” as the command station type?
If you’re just using the PR3 as a LocoNet pass-through device, and using the DCS100’s programming outputs, you won’t get the benefits of the PR3’s higher program track output ability.
The page I was talking about is in the Decoder Pro program
You need to click on the drop down box to get to the decoder types and pick the BLI decoder
On that page you will read (in RED) about shutting off the Speakback (which they call it some other name - SPEAKBACK is my term)!
If you are not familiar with Decoder Pro then You will have to spend some time learining the Program
I have used it some but NOT for Programming all that much but did run across the situation about turning off the Decoder SPEAKBACK.
I still use my Programming Track with my DCS and have no problems programming the engines BUT
I press the “Y” putton 3 times which seems to make it take the 4 Digit address!
Also the Reset procedure is in your BLI engine manual and it is a 3 different CV settings to get it to Electrically Reset!
CV8 will not WORK for this decoder!
Other messages in this Thread have stated the values to put into the engine to do the CV reset!
Again - if you do not reread all of the info presented here you will continue to be fustrated
I can understand how fustrating this is when it is all new to someone.
I have been there and had to learn it just like everyone else!
This is just like learning Windows 8 - not a lot of fun in the beginning!
BOB H - Clarion, PA