With Digitrax’s Zephyr, is it possible to have a train running on your layout at the same time you’re programming another engine on a programming track?
JaRRell
yes
You bet. If you are only using the Zephyr and don’t have any other throttles plugged in then it can be a bit tricky if the loco running needs close control. If it is just on a loop then no probelm.
You can run AND program at the same time on the regular track as long as the decoder suooprts OPS mode, like the Tsunami.
Agreed…this is the tricky part…it must be in Ops Mode with the loco needing the CV adjustments selected on the throttle. When done this way, the other decoders will act like kids and ignore the calls to change CVs.
If you inadvertently enter Paged Mode, you will develop a headache instantly; that is a wide broadcast method that will alter all CVs within earshot…as in, on the powered sections of track.
Ok thanks! The reason I ask is there will be 4 or 5 guys (and a girl!) here next week and one of them had asked if I have a programming track so that he could program a couple of his engines. I know that a couple of them will bring locos to run also. While I don’t have a true programming track, I do have a section of track that I glued to a piece of foam and attached wiring to it. When I want to program I simply attach the wires to the correct spots on the Zephyr and use that. I didn’t want to interupt the other folks with their running, thus the question can you do both at the same time.
I’m thinking theres going to be at least another couple throttles brought over so the fella that’s programming can have exculsive use of the Zephyr.
Thanks for the answers!
JaRRell
selector,
From what Digitrax told me, Page mode, Physical Register and Direct mode only go to the programming track with the Chief and Zephyr systems. Only Ops Mode goes out to the mainline on either system.
The Empire Builder, however, does not have a programming track, and therefore can cause problems with “broadcast” programming if you don’t have your layout wired correctly.
The thing to do with the Zephyr is to have a seperate programming track not connected to anything else. Perhaps on the work bench, or perhaps a track off a turntable, or perhaps a “dummy” track that doesn’t go anywhere (normally just for scenery purposes). Simply run a pair of wires to the track from the PROG connections on the back of the Zephyr, and you’re all set. You just need to make sure you’re not in Ops Mode when programming on the programming track.
BTW, on the subject of “broadcast programming”, if you are going to use Ops Mode, make sure that you have a loco selected before programming. If you don’t, it could result in all your locos being reprogrammed.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
Or use decoders that support ops programming.
Thanks for setting me straight, Paul. I should have made a greater distinction between my SEB and the Zephyr. It turns out that what I described is so for my SEB, which doesn’t seem to need the seperate programming tracks.
-Crandell
The DB150 command station/booster in the Super Empire Builder doesn’t even HAVE a program track output. As such, all programming commands are sent through the same terminals as the track connection. If you choose only Ops Mode on the throttle, you are safe, the commands will only go to the addressed loco. But if you inadvertantly select one of the other program modes, you will reprogram all locos on the track.
The Zephyr (DCS50) and Super Chief (DCS100) comamnd stations have a seperate set of terminals for the program track. Ops Mode commands go to the track termiansl like the DB150, but all other program modes only output to the Program Track terminals - thus locos running on the layout are safe from being reprogrammed.
–Randy
Randy, when my 100LC was giving me fits about 16 months ago, I called Soundtraxx and the fellow told me that I needed to use the second set of output terminals with a small piece of track to program it if I am using the DB 150. I did as he suggested, and got results, but have never done it since; as you say, the DB 150 does just fine with all decoders in Ops Mode using the normal output terminals and hooked directly to the layout. I have resorted to using a “programming” track hooked up to the DB 150 when addressing locos because that has been foolproof so far, and I use Paged Mode as per the Digtrax manual… That is the only time I use that setup. Some time I’ll try it on the main with other locos removed and see if it works as well…I’m pretty sure it will/should.
His instructions still puzzle me.
Yeah I dunno what he wanted you to hook up to, there’s only 2 terminals on a DB150 that put out anything. The other terminals are the config a, config b, and ground - used to configure it as a booster only or as an auto-reverse booster. Very odd.
–Randy