Lenz System, HELP!!

[Richard Boddington]

Now this dang thing has started to really tick me off, it's back to square one!

It seems that overnight with the power off all of my settings have been eliminated. Is that supposed to happen? You need to re-program on the programming track before each session?

I re-programmed and I have the number correct again, but that dang speed issue is back again, NO SPEED.

So I tried re-programming the engine as a new number, 726, and it's back to working again. Then I tried putting it back to 725, again, no speed.

So I can't use the same number twice, now it's 527, the reverse and running at full speed. What the heck?

I hope no Lenz employee walks through my door, he'll get a punch on the nose

Any way, the dealer is open tomorrow...then I'll be their customer from "hell" as they try and phone support all these issues.

Maybe I should go back to my train table, it will have probably decided to work again by now. It clearly makes its own decisions

I never hooked any thing up to the lights, no wires.

R,

 

[Richard Boddington]

So I finally have the lights working, one more issue solved.

My programming and speed issue has the Lenz folks stumped. I can't program the engine as 725, its real number, if I do it runs slow.

I can call it the reverse 527, and it's fine. Lenz has no idea what has happened to the 725 address.

On the DCC front these manufactures really need to get things sorted out. The F-7A Metal Train from Model Power simply says "DCC ready" on the box. No indication as to the type of DCC board it takes, 8 pin, 9 pin?

The only way to know this is to buy it and open it. Tuns out it takes the 9 pin straight plug. Ok I have one coming in as I have two 8 pin boards. Why don't they put "9 pin socket" on the box?

The other engine is a GP-40 from Atlas. On the box there is a sticker that was added that reads, "DCC Ready-NMRA 8-pin Socket." So I bought that one because I have two 8 pin boards. I installed it and it's fine, sans the 725 address issue mentioned above.

Also that phrase "DCC Ready" will lead many to believe that the loco is ready, as in ready to run on a DCC track. But it's not really it needs a board.

Am I wrong here with my peeves?

R,

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Also that phrase "DCC Ready" will lead many to believe that the loco is ready, as in ready to run on a DCC track. But it's not really it needs a board.

Am I wrong here with my peeves?

R,

I always understood, DCC ready meant that you only had to plug your decoder into the existing board or plug and its ready to go. There should be a DC plug in the DCC plug so that the loco can be run on straight DC.

So the money you saved on the Lenz system....

 

[Richard Boddington]

Ok well the layout is done, for now, and the Lenz system is finally working all bugs solved. Even the right number assignments for the engines. Took calls to the Lenz HQ to get that issue solved. I have the two controller plug nicely set into the maple wood of my table so it looks impressive at least

I'm running two trains right now and just bought a third off ebay. I found a board for my metal train F7A so that one is ok. I found a beautiful Ontario GO train that said it took the 8 pin DCC board so I bought that one, installed the board and it's running well. Even though it's a commuter train pulling freight, oops!

I found a DCC equipped GP40 on ebay in the Norfolk Southern colours which is what I need since I have a Norfolk Southern freight set that is being pulled by the GO train. Only $38.00 on ebay new in the box for that Norfolk Southern GP40 what a screaming price! Here in Canada is cost me about $250.00 to buy the GO train engine and install the board.

There is a set of GO train cars available for $79.00 at the hobby store but I'll have to test them in the store on a 18 inch radius turn as they are quite long. No one knows for sure if they will make the turn? Only one way to find out of course.

So my boys and I are having a good time, DCC is fun, although making it work is not fun. Running it total darkness is what we like the best.

So should I post pics of my layout? Or is that in poor taste on this board?

Thanks to those who responded to my threads and got me into the DCC direction in the first place.

R,

 

[jtudor]

So should I post pics of my layout? Or is that in poor taste on this board?

Actually i think that is not only in good taste, but is required!!