Newbie in need of help!

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


L

lpd4005

Member
Hello everyone,

I guess I will I reword to simplify my problem as I am REALLY stumped. I installed a DH163AT Digitrax mobile decoder into a 1980’s Athearn SW1500 and then into a 1980’s Athearn SD-40. In both instances the locos worked with my new Digitrax Super Chief DCC starter set in analog mode (address 00). Once installing the above listed decoder per its instructions (less the lamps, I simply removed them and omitted the wires by snipping off the bare wires end and bundling those leads with the other unused leads), the decoders work under default address of 03.

[FONT=&quot]My problem is that I cannot get either decoder to allow me to reprogram their address or any other CV for that matter. I have tried both the program track and the Ops mode option. When I do hit the ENTER the text window flashes a code rather quickly before I can read it, then when I try the new address it doesn’t work but the 03 is still working, any ideas? Thanks ahead of time![/FONT]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Did your try resetting the decoder by setting CV 08 to value 8? This will reset all the CV's to the factory preset and will probably unhang F0. If you can't program any CV's, it may be that something you did with the headlight wires is causing a short. I suggest you go back and make sure there are no shorts anywhere in that wire bundle.
 


I tried to reset the values but it seems i cant get it to take any programming what so ever. I even disassembled the loco and left the wires loose, the motor on wood table and the frame on the rails, the motor runs fine under 03 but cant seem to get either decoder to take programming. is there a trick about the lighting wires? i am beginning to wonder if they should have some sort of load or something... Thanks for speaking up, I really appreciate it.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I tried again and was able to program the decoder using the OPS MODE however, I am still unable to get any results using the other program methods. One thing that strikes me funny, once I knew i could program it using OPS MODE i setup CV29 to fix the direction indicator. Once I set it up for reverse, the new address i gave it no longer worked but it did respond to the default 03. I then reassigned it the address I wanted it to have and it was fixed, anyone have this sort of problems before?
 
Robert, have you given the engine wheels a really good cleaning? The old Athearn sintered steel wheels will have a lot of reistance and not allow enough voltage to get to the decoder id the wheels aren't 100% clean. That fact that you can do programming in OPS mode and not on the program track makes me suspect dirty wheels.
 
Well I gave the wheels a cleaning and I installed another of the same decoder in my GP-38 and the same problem. All three decoders will only let me program in OPS MODE... maybe the problem is with the age of my locos? I don't know what else to try to get them to program on a program track as documented in the manuals but at least I am able to program them.
 
I would either call Digitrax or Tony's Train Exchange. Both have been good in terms of troubleshooting. After one or two posts to a forum, the direct approach seems prudent.
 
I agree with Skip. The guys at Tony's are really good and may be able to pick up on something right off the bat that we're missing. It's usually something simple but it's easier to explain what's happening in person sometimes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top