Facing a Dilemma - Suggestions

[dlobmwm3]

I have a Digitrax Zephyr with DT400R and a UR91. All my decoders are digitrax except for the one in my Proto 2000 GP 30 that has sound.

So after getting a HO MTH Light Mikado, I try to program the engine. No luck. Turns out I have to jump through loops and program it on the track vs. program track. I also called up digitrax and ask them, are there function keys beyond Fn 12? No they say.

So, my question is... what DCC systems will support the Fn 13 on up? Will this other DCC system support the currect digitrax decoders that I have? Such a shame for MTH not to build their engines based on Digitrax which owns the majority of the market.

Any suggestions are welcome and thanks for reading my post. Good day guys.

 

[Selector]

This is the unfortunate reality for those who take a shining to MTH products...they are like dealing with the BlueLine series of engines from BLI if you want them to operate in DCC...you need to add this, control that, go back and repeat this....yada, yada. I have a rule to purchase neither set of products for that reason. I want my hobby to be fun.

Anyway, I can understand your frustration and disappointment. The best bet is to get on the blower and talk to the guys at MTH. They know their product, you wouldn't be the first DCC operator to call them up and ask for help, and they will hopefully steer you through the process.

As for systems that go beyond F8/12, I believe that all the pricier models out in the past 2 years will do so. Not sure about Digitrax, but NCE, Lenz, ...I believe they do.

-Crandell

 

[dlobmwm3]

I just called the dealer that I purchased the engine from and they are pretty helpful. They said it may be possible in re-mapping the higher Fn 13-30 down to the 1-12. Anyone have any experience in re-mapping? I want these other sounds....
(F13) Extended Start Up
(F14) Extended Shut Down
(F15) Labor Chuff
(F16) Drift Chuff
(F17) Smoke Volume low, med, high
(F18) Single short whistle toot
(F19) Coupler Close
(F20) Feature Reset
(F21) Idle Sequence 1
(F22) Idle Sequence 2
(F23) Idle Sequence 3
(F24) Idle Sequence 4
(F25) Brakes auto/off
(F26) Cab Chatter auto/off
(F27) Clickety-Clack auto/off
(F28) Train Wreck

 

[CSX Robert]

NCE, MRC, and Lenz currently offer support for functions through 28. Digitrax command stations will actually support functions through 28, but none of their throttles will yet. You can access the higher functions using the on-screen throttle of JMRI if you have a computer interface. Digitrax will be coming out with a new throttle that will support the higher functions, but nobody knows when yet(the throttle has been in beta testing for a while now). Hopefully, when the new throttle comes out, you'll be able to uprgade you're DT400R to the higher functoins, but know one has confirmed if that will be an option.

 

[Selector]

Your manual for the DCC system you are using will have detailed instructions for remapping functions, and the downloadable manual for the DCS sound sytem on your new engine will also talk you through it. I am not familiar with it, and probably no one else here, so you will have to do the research yourself. I know that my QSI and Tsunami decoder manuals have pages and pages devoted to function mapping.

-Crandell

 

[dlobmwm3]

Thanks all. I'm a very excited newbie. Can you all tell?

 

[dlobmwm3]

One other question, can have both Digitrax DCC and MTH DCS inconjunction with each other and have a double pole - double throw between them?

 

[UP2CSX]

Well, yeah, I suppose you could rig up something but why? You're not going to get more out of the MTH sound system than you can with your DCC controller unless you want to spend more money and get an MTH DCS controller, which ain't cheap. What are you trying to accomplish?

 

[dlobmwm3]

I rigged up something with a DPDT with the Zephyr on one and the DCS (borrowed) on the other. Right now I can't get the MTH engine to recognize on their DCS system which is why I am thinking it might be the TIU unit.

I also hooked up the TIU to a small section of test track. And the same results, cannot find engine. So now I have posted a question in the forum on how to check voltage. http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12563 ..(embarrassed). I did this just to see if I would like the MTH DCS.

 

[UP2CSX]

In theory, this is all you have to do:
In a DCS system, you must make the system aware that the locomotive exists to run it. Here is how you accomplish this task.
1. Place an MTH locomotive on the track
2. Press Menu and select SYSTEM
3. Select ADD Engine – The DCS system will do an inquiry and find the engine on the track. It will notify you when it has seen the engine and stored its information. When you look at the engine display, you will see the engine is identified and assigned the next available number.
For example, 1. PRR K4 #518. You do this once for each engine you want the system to
remember. After that, the DCS system will see the engine anytime it is on the track.

Assuming the track has at least 12 volts, the system should see the engine. To use a meter to test for voltage, just set the meter to something like 12 or 20 volts and then put a probe on each rail. You should get a positive reading if the track has power.

 

[diburning]

This is the unfortunate reality for those who take a shining to MTH products...they are like dealing with the BlueLine series of engines from BLI if you want them to operate in DCC...you need to add this, control that, go back and repeat this....yada, yada. I have a rule to purchase neither set of products for that reason. I want my hobby to be fun.

Anyway, I can understand your frustration and disappointment. The best bet is to get on the blower and talk to the guys at MTH. They know their product, you wouldn't be the first DCC operator to call them up and ask for help, and they will hopefully steer you through the process.

As for systems that go beyond F8/12, I believe that all the pricier models out in the past 2 years will do so. Not sure about Digitrax, but NCE, Lenz, ...I believe they do.

-Crandell

Only the BLI Blueline FIRST RUNS have the programming issue. (mostly just the AC6000s were affected) They didn't do anything wrong. NMRA wants to make Direct mode programming the new standard instead of page mode and BLI was trying to "pioneer" it. It didn't work out very well because everone was stubborn about programming the "old" way with page mode. In the 2nd run of AC6000s and all Blueline models after that, they made the engines programmable in page mode like everything else. Please get your facts straight before bashing a manufacturer. Thank you.