A few days ago,on another post,Locoworks gave me a valuable information concerning my older type DCS100,stating that it can’t give me access to all the 28 functions that are normally available on newer models.In fact it can only allow me to access 8 functions and I certainly believe that.
I’ve purchased an Athearn N scale Big Boy and have operated it on the club’s layout and I can say that I enjoyed the 12 functions I could access with the club’s DT400R so I ordered one for myself,and then I’m being informed that the DT400R also falls short in the function department.
I realize that I’ll have to do something for the DCS100 but I’m questioning myself about the DT400R.What are the 28 functions?I know that the first twelve are of the “operational” type and I have a PR3 ordered that should take care of the programming but what would I be missing in term of operational pleasure by not accessing the other 16 functions with the handheld?
The command station is more of a dilemma though.My DCS100 is the older type but still brand new (never installed,tested only).I’m not considering trying to sell it as it would be giving it away.Having it re-chipped is an option but sending it and waiting,plus the cost of the upgrade and shipping both ways isn’t appealing me much honestly.So I’m considering buying a new command station and use my DCS100 as a booster and/or a reversing module.But then I’m faced with three choices,the DCS50 basic,the DB150 or a modern DCS100.My layout will be of modest size with never more than 3 or 4 N scale locos running at the same time so power isn’t an issue for me.Would the DCS50 fill the bill for all the functions (with the DT400) or do I need the more powerfull ones?If so,does the DB150 fit the task or should I invest for the DCS100?I don’t mind paying the right price for satisfying operation but don’t want to throw money away.
How functions above F12 are used varies from decoder manufacturer to decoder manufacturer.
The two companies that are best known for using functions above F12 are MRC and MTH. Here is how their definitions compare for a couple of decoders:
MRC Brilliance (used in Athearn locomotives, such as your Big Boy)
F0 Headlight on/off; Double-click: Sound on/off
F1 Bell on/off
F2 Horn
F3 Air release sound/Accessory light #1 on/off
F4 Coupling sound
F5 Brake release (idle) / brake squeal (moving)
F6 Dynamic brake on/off
F7 Uncoupling lever
F8 Air hose disconnect air burst sound
F9 Engine cooling fan
F10 Rail wheel clickety-clack on/off (only when train is moving)
F11 Air compressor
F12 Sound on/off
F13 Short air release/accessory light function #2 on/off
F14 Coupling noise
F15 Air pump
F16 “Associated loco sound”
F17 Short air release
F18 Select Bell type (CV, too)
F19 Demo sample horns/whistles
F20 Bell ring rate (CV, too)
F21 Change bell volume (use F1 to turn off bell after adjustment) (CV, too)
F22 Change horn/whistle volume (CV, too)
F23 Change diesel rumble volume (CV, too)
F24 Dynamic brake volume (CV, too)
F25 Brake squeal volume (CV, too)
F26 Safety valve pop
F27 Safety valve pop
F28 Short air release
Some of the things they handle via function keys (such as selecting the type of bell or whistle or setting volume levels) are things that can also be handled by programming a configuration value (CV), so it’s not absolutely necessary to have access to that function to be able to make that selection or adjust the setting. I’ve marked those as “(CV, too)”.
MTH:
F0 Headlight on/off
F1 Bell
F2 Whistle
F3 Locomotive on/off
F4 Passenger/freight announcements (“All Aboard!”)
F5 Cab interior light; All lighting on/off
F6 Engine sounds on/off (mut button)
F7 Master volume
F
Here is my take on it, and you kind of answered your own question.
How can you use functions higher than F12 if you dont know what they do? Too many of my customers open up their locomotive, put it on the track, start pushing ‘random’ buttons, then return it to me because they messed with the functions.
As far as I am concerend, I would like to run my trains, blow my horn and ring my bell. Sounds beyond that should be taken care of by the loco itself. If you look at a quality decoder (and no, the decoder in your steamer is not of good quality) like the Tsunami, you will see that most of the insidental sounds (pop off, blow downs etc…) are used properly by the decoder at proper times.
Just my thoughts, but if you want the wizz-bang sounds like the door closing, or the toilet seat dropping down, then all the power to ya.
There have been a few posts on this subject in the past, the general consensus beings that any functions over 12 is a gimmick and not appealing to most posters. In fact the majority of these modelers where using 6-7 functions at the most. I myself regularly use only Light, Horn, Bell, Start up, Mute and Shut down for a total of 6 functions. I own a Power Cab system capable of 28 functions however I did not and will not activate that feature, it is not needed.
To upgrade your DCS100, there is a well known modeler in Québec city that can assist you in getting the required part from Digitrax and show you how to perform the upgrade yourself. Send my an email and I will give you his name, I am sure you already know him.
You don’t need to do anything to your command station, just plug in the new throttle. For example, I use a Digitrax Zephyr that has only 8 functions on it’s control panel. I bought a UT-4 walkaround throttle which uses 12 functions. By plugging it into the Zephyr, I get all 12 functions when using the UT-4. If you use a DT400 with 28 functions, you’ll get all 28 if you plug it into your DCS100.
Thank you guys for your kind answers.When I toyed with my Big Boy on the club’s layout,I found out that,as been said,most of the sounds are indeed selected by the decoder itself at proper times,leaving only a few (bell,wistle,etc) manually operated and this certainly satisfies me totally.However,I also liked function 12 (shutting sound off) since sometimes I enjoy peace and quiet.But as of now,it seems that this function will not be available to me on my layout but it’s no big deal as I have other fine “silent” locos I can use.
As I suspected,most of the higher numbered functions are mostly programmable features that dictate how the lower numbered functions will run,I’ll probably leave them as they are anyway as I like how the loco runs with the default set-ups.I still have a steep learning hill to climb before I attempt tweaking CV values.
I also am aware that my BB’s decoder is of the “unreliable” type so I’m expecting a failure some day and that a Micro-Tsunami will take it’s place.I like to look at the bright side though…the switch should be fairly easy.
i am under the impression that the current DT400 or DT400R can still only operate upto F12, the higher functions can be operated with a computer only at present. on the video of the digitrax presentation one of the speakers said that the NEW duplex radio DT402D would allow control of all 28 functions, but i don’t think the current DT400’s do.
as to your old DCS100 not being upto the task, i still think the cheapest option you have is to get it upgraded. on a personal note, i am going to get the full duplex set up when it becomes available so at that point i should have the holy grail of systems. i will get all my throttles that can be upgraded to duplex upgraded and replace those that can’t with suitable substitutes.
Eariler this year I sent my older DCS100 to Digitrax for a chip upgrade. The cost was $50, which included the return postage. I only have one sound locomotive and don’t use more than 4-5 of the available functions. I was sending my DT400R in at the same time as the throttle had made one too many trips to the canyon (basement) floor and had its brains scrambled!
Your DCS100 will give you many more years of service, so I highly recomend that you send it to Digitrax for a chip upgrade.
Original DCS100’s only had 5 functions. Current production does F8. An old one can be sent to Digitrax for an upgrade but call first.
DT400 throttle handle 13 functions (F0 - F12). Digitrax firmware uses the throttle to handle functions above F8 so the command station doesn’t need upgrading. This is why a Zephyr can handle to F12 using a DT400 throttle or UT4.
All of the new to be released DT402’s will have up to F28 and no changes to the DCS100’s will be required.
This forum’s members are wonderful people,I expected good informations and that’s exactly what I got.Thanks very much.Breaking down all this info,I’ve been able to evaluate my situation and come up with a conclusion.Now decision time has come and I still have a few questions as to what are my best options.
The bullet proof solution is to buy a new DCS100 no doubt,but what does a DCS100 do that a much cheaper DB150 doesn’t?I’ll never have my layout computer operated and I believe this is the difference but could be wrong.
And if I do buy a new command station,I’ve been told that my actual DCS100 could be used as a booster.But then would it still need to be upgraded?I will need to power a loop on my layout and read that boosters could do this as they have the polarity reversing feature,does my DCS100 have it also?
I’ll never use more than 7 or 8 functions anyway with the handheld,so is there any point for me to wait for the newer DT402?Could I regret not waiting?
I know myself enough to know that I will never use all the gimmicks that are available.I’m looking forward to simple but flawless operation.Push a button and hold for the wistle,toggle a few other functions on and off and I’m happy.Sound is indeed fun as long as it stays simple.Thanks.
i would like to say the ‘current’ production DCS100 does do F28 ( did you miss out the ‘2’?? ), but digitrax don’t produce a throttle to access functions above F12 at the minute, they can be accessed using a PC with suitable interface and software.as pointed out the DT402 will give access to functions above F12. can anyone confirm that a zephyr can access F28 with a PC??
F9 - F28 are not part of the Digitrax command station. The throttle creates the command and sends it to the command station via loconet.
The command station just passes the message on to the booster. For that reason, any loconet throttle or compatible computer program with 28 functions can turn them on and off.
It should work with a DB150 as well as a DCS150. It may even work with the old DCS100’s but they won’t have F5- F8 because those functions are controlled by the command station.
Yes. I’ve done it and it works fine. One thing to be aware of is with the first version of JMRI that supported 28 functions, the higher functions did not work with Digitrax, but on latter versions it does.
Please reread my previous post, we at the local Trois-Rivières club have a member that upgraded himself 3 first generation DCS100. I told you how to go about it in my first post.
The biggest differences are the CV readback in the DCS100 and the 120 slots versus 22 slots. The DCS100 also can store routes(if you want to use routes with the DB150, DS64 decoders can store routes). Another seldom used feature of the DCS100 is the ability to run Motorola Trinary decoders, which I don’t believe the DB150 or DCS50 can. As far as computer control, any of the Digitrax command stations can be hooked up to a computer and pretty much share the same capabilities, other than the differences in numbers of slots and CV readback.
To use your current DCS100 as a booster with a new DCS100, you would not need to upgrade it, and yes, it can be an auto-reversing booster.
Never say never; however, I still would not bother waiting. We don’t know when the DT402 will be available, and there is a very good chance that when it is, you will be able to get DT400’s upgraded to DT402’s. The reason I say never
If your DCS100 is capable of accessing F0 through F8, it is as new as it can get.
F9 through F12 are handled by the newer throttles.
F13 through F28 will also be handled from the new DT402 series throttles. All DT400 throttles will be upgradeable to DT402. Once upgraded, they will handle 28 functions. This info is from A J Ireland.
Martin Myers
BTW, it’s actually 30 functions. F0 forward and F0 reverse are each a function. F0 through F28 is 29-count them.
First of all, I will admit I could be wrong in my analysis, because the only Digitrax command station I have actually used is the Zephyr. My understanding is that the first generation DCS100 would control functions up to F8. The original Chief set came with a DT100 throttle and a first generation DCS100. The DT100 can control up to F8, so I would think the first generation DCS100 can too. I have heard from others that a DT400 plugged into a first generation DCS100 will not control functions above F8. The DT400 uses a “send DCC packet immediate” Loconet command to send functions above F8, and I don’t think that the first generation DCS100 supports this command. I also don’t think the DB150 supports it - the Digitrax website does say “DT400 can only access F0-F8 when used with a DB150 Command Station.”(http://www.digitrax.com/kb/index.php?a=497)