Bill:

I'm not at the B&CRR computer system to look at the correct DecoderPro screens
and my PR3.

Sorry this is frustrating and I'm sure this is being repeated from posts on the
JMRI group...

You need to be sure that the DecoderPro prefs have been set for the PR3 to be in
stand alone mode and that (checking the PR3 manual) that it's lights are correct
for stand alone programming.

The fact that the PR3 can be two different devices is confusing. If the PR3 is
in MS100 mode... that's the computer to LocoNet interface it will be looking for
LocoNet and a command station to program on the command station's programming
track. For sure you'll get a timeout if none is connected. If it's in the MS100
mode it will not program on it's own programming track.

Have you tried connecting the PR3 to the railroad with LocoNet and tried any
other features of the PR3? The LocoNet Monitor is really useful to do a reality
check that you can see the LocoNet and then opening a throttle and running an
engine that you're talking to the command station.

I don't know how separate the electronics are for the LocoNet vs programmer
functions but I would be happier knowing that part of the device works. So even
if the PR3 works with your command station it still might have a problem when
flipped into the PR3 stand alone mode.

Alas in this world there is always the possibility that you have a dud PR3... We
assume that new stuff just works and it usually does but maybe not this time.

Did the PR3 come from a shop? Can you test with another one somewhere?

Jim Albanowski

<snip>





--- In Digitrax@yahoogroups.com, "Bill Nielsen" <wrangler@...> wrote:
>
> Last month, I purchased an HP Netbook plus Digitrax PR3 with PS14 power supply
and downloaded DecoderPro with the hope of using it as a stand alone programming
system for our club's modular HO layout. Installing the software and USB driver
seemed to go OK without a problem, but any attempts to do any programming result
in failure with an error message stating "Stopped due to error: Timeout talking
to command station (306". Yes, the message ends at the 6 without closing the
parentheses. I have not been able to figure this out, even with some input from
over on the JMRI Yahoo group.The computer recognizes that the PR3 is connected
to com3 port, and it recognizes the software driver as provided by Digitrax. The
program seems to work as planned except for the fact that it gets the error
message and the decoder does not get programmed. Anybody here have any ideas on
how to make this stuff work?
>
> You might be able to tell that I'm NOT happy about all this, because while the
JMRI software was free (about what it's worth), the computer, PR3 interface (and
it's power supply) were far from being free at over $350! What a waste, my old
computer's database would store the loco & decoder data just as well, and it
won't program a decoder either!
>
> Regards,
> Bill
>

Besides the plethora of electrical reasons for this engine running slow there is
the fact that an N scale Intermountain F unit's speed is being compared to an N
scale Kato E unit. That's like comparing the tortoise and the hare.

Martin Myers

I may be wrong, but I don't think it's a problem with the DT402, it sounds more
like you are over-loading the capabilities of the Zephyr.  If you are going to
run a lot of locos on a club layout - especially sound-equipped!  Then you need
to think about upgrading the system by adding a 5Amp DCS100.

Regards
Keith

--- In Digitrax@yahoogroups.com, "PHIL EUPER" <peuper@...> wrote:
>
> Have you replaced the battery?
>
> Regards
>
> Phil Euper in SC
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "palizbay" <peter@...>
> To: <Digitrax@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 8:16 PM
> Subject: [Digitrax] Dead DT402
>
>
> > Hi all!
> >
> > Our club recently got a new Digitrax Chief system with one of the new
> > DT402 throttles.
> >
> > This throttle has been working fine for a few weeks...till last Friday! We
> > had it plugged into a panel, with a Zephyr controlling the layout and 2
> > UT4's controlling the other trains. All was working fine till the Zephyr
> > started to struggle with 4 sound equipped locos, so we had to take one
> > off.
> >
> > A while later the the DT402's screen went blank, then came back to life
> > again, showing the voltage as it does when first plugged in. It worked
> > fine for a bit then did the same thing again. A bit later I picked the
> > throttle up to deconsist a couple of locos and noticed the screen was
> > dead. I plugged it into a different Loconet panel, but still dead. I then
> > tried it plugged directly into the Zephyr, but still nothing.
> >
> > The other two throttles were still working fine, so no problem with the
> > loconet. I then took the throttle home & tested it on my Chief, but still
> > dead. I have checked the cord & connector, but they still appear firmly
> > connected. I have also tapped the throttle a few times just in case there
> > was a loose connection inside, but still nothing...
> >
> > Does anyone know what might be wrong with this throttle? Has anyone else
> > had problems with the DT402?
> >
> > Any advice would be most welcome!
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Peter
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>

There is another reason for decoders slowing locos, apart form the fact
that the voltage supplied to the motor is 2-3v below the track voltage,
and that is to do with the Back-EMF that most decoders have now.

So that the decoder has enough power available to do the job of keeping
the speed constant regardless of load changes - upgrades, longer trains,
sharp curves, most of them stop accelerating the train at about 85% of the
full capacity, so that there is power at hand to deliver should the load
change at full speed.  Digitrax decoders don't go any faster than throttle
step 84, and the Tsunami is about the same.    If you reallyy must have
more speed, try turning the back-EMF off, or using the EMF dropoff CV so
that by about half-throttle the BEMF is reduced to zero.  I can't say that
this will give you that extra 15%, but it might.  Personally, I'm not
interested in high speed, as I model narrow gauge and max out at around
35mph, maybe 45 for occasional passenger trains.  I'm more interested in
the slow-speed running and assured starting that BEMF brings.    Most
model trains are run far too fast anyway: what I found is that if sound is
added, trains speeds slow down markedly.

Oh, and Keith.  We might wonder why we need 28 functions, but I remember
not that long ago someone telling me that 4 was too many, yet now I have
many locos that use 12.  Just go with the flow, and be pleased that
Digitrax is ahead of your curve with 28 functions before you need them,
rather than you being frustrated because you want more than they support.
  Not long ago I postulated a 2-car British DMU, fully kitted with sound,
smoke and functions:
- motor drive with back-EMF
- lights in the carriages; one function
- lights in the guards compartment - one function
- can end lights.  One fuction each end.
- headlights and taillights; three bulbs each end, and different
headlights for day and night. 6 functions (2 headlight patterns each end,
plus taillights)
- head/route code box lights both ends. 2 more functions
- opening doors each side.  One function per side.  Close the doors also
does the warning beep for sliding doors, activates slam door sounds for
1st generation DMUs.
- horn. One F for the dual tone beep/barp and one each for the two
separate tones
- fan driven exhaust coupled to the motor speed, but also a rev-up
function for blowing the brakes off as you start, and clouds of black
smoke.
- shunt speed function as per Digitrax F6/CV54
That's 18 functions, so far.   I really do expect to see such a DMU in 4mm
scale on the market in the next 5 years or so: two cars, one decoder.
Nice.

Mick


Mick Moignard
Lotus Notes Practitioner, Unipart Expert Practices
Senior Technical Editor, DominoPower Magazine
IBM Certified Advanced Application Developer for Lotus Notes.
Unipart House, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2PG   Map

p: +44 1865 383112 f: +44 1865 384140
m: +44 7774 652504 Skype: mickmoignard
e: mick_moignard@...
w: www.unipartep.co.uk
Making mistakes isn't stupid, but disregarding them is.


This e-mail has been sent in confidence to the named
  addressee(s).  If you are not the intended recipient you
  must not disclose or distribute it in any form, and you are
  asked to contact the sender immediately

Unipart Group of Companies Ltd. Registered in England No. 1994997
Registered office: Unipart House, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2PG

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Have you replaced the battery?

Regards

Phil Euper in SC

----- Original Message -----
From: "palizbay" <peter@...>
To: <Digitrax@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 8:16 PM
Subject: [Digitrax] Dead DT402


> Hi all!
>
> Our club recently got a new Digitrax Chief system with one of the new
> DT402 throttles.
>
> This throttle has been working fine for a few weeks...till last Friday! We
> had it plugged into a panel, with a Zephyr controlling the layout and 2
> UT4's controlling the other trains. All was working fine till the Zephyr
> started to struggle with 4 sound equipped locos, so we had to take one
> off.
>
> A while later the the DT402's screen went blank, then came back to life
> again, showing the voltage as it does when first plugged in. It worked
> fine for a bit then did the same thing again. A bit later I picked the
> throttle up to deconsist a couple of locos and noticed the screen was
> dead. I plugged it into a different Loconet panel, but still dead. I then
> tried it plugged directly into the Zephyr, but still nothing.
>
> The other two throttles were still working fine, so no problem with the
> loconet. I then took the throttle home & tested it on my Chief, but still
> dead. I have checked the cord & connector, but they still appear firmly
> connected. I have also tapped the throttle a few times just in case there
> was a loose connection inside, but still nothing...
>
> Does anyone know what might be wrong with this throttle? Has anyone else
> had problems with the DT402?
>
> Any advice would be most welcome!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Peter
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Plaza Japan
http://stores.ebay.com/Plaza-Japan_Thomas-the-Tank-Engine_W0QQ_fsubZ15QQ_sidZ169\
030440QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

Very reputable and fast shipping.
My last order was three days Osaka to Baltimore.

Martin Myers

--- In Digitrax@yahoogroups.com, Harry Critchfield <hgcrcc@...> wrote:
>
> Where do I look for a N Thomas the Tank?
>
> Harry
>

Martin,
You will find little difference with 'basic' decoders over pure DC.  It's when
you start adding all the Bells and Whistles (literally).  Most folks – in my
experience, that are complaining about DCC-fitted locos, are those that are
buying big sound-fitted steam to run on a DC layout.  Unfortunately
manufacturers have had to add this compromise where these locos will run on both
systems with little or no modifications; But they are primarily aimed at the
large DCC market and that is where you will get the most from all the functions.
However 28 functions is just over the top!

Keith


--- In Digitrax@yahoogroups.com, "karpetkrafters" <martin.myers@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Glenn,
> I don't have any of the IM F units. My FT's were dog slow right out of the
box. The decoder will use some of the voltage so that will slow them even more
on analog.
> Happy Thanksgiving to you and the rest of the MVNS crew.
>
> Martin Myers
>
>
> --- In Digitrax@yahoogroups.com, "mvns1" <mvns1@> wrote:
> >
> > Here is an email comment from a train buddy of mine for whom I did some
decoder installations.
> > ================================
> > I ran my DCC conversions on my layout [analog] this evening.  The Kato PRR E
units fly along as usual, but the Intermountain NP F units lost a lot of speed. 
I guess I'll live with it, since I had freight in mind when I bought them.  Why
in the #$%^& blue blazes can't they get it right?  That really burns my bucket. 
I'm saving all the original circuit boards in case I ever get tired of slowpokes
and want to go back to the original speed.
> > ================================
> > In other words, the act of installing a decoder seems to suck the life out
of our N scale engines.  A decoder by its very nature will make an engine run
slower.  And I can't figure out why.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Glenn Koproske
> >
>

tomex

is the company that makes the nscale thomas the tank

james dunlap rantrack ex ntrack group



________________________________
From: Harry Critchfield <hgcrcc@...>
To: Digitrax@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 23, 2009 9:58:45 PM
Subject: [Digitrax] Re: BachmanThomas the Tank


Where do I look for a N Thomas the Tank?

Harry






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Last month, I purchased an HP Netbook plus Digitrax PR3 with PS14 power supply
and downloaded DecoderPro with the hope of using it as a stand alone programming
system for our club's modular HO layout. Installing the software and USB driver
seemed to go OK without a problem, but any attempts to do any programming result
in failure with an error message stating "Stopped due to error: Timeout talking
to command station (306". Yes, the message ends at the 6 without closing the
parentheses. I have not been able to figure this out, even with some input from
over on the JMRI Yahoo group.The computer recognizes that the PR3 is connected
to com3 port, and it recognizes the software driver as provided by Digitrax. The
program seems to work as planned except for the fact that it gets the error
message and the decoder does not get programmed. Anybody here have any ideas on
how to make this stuff work?

You might be able to tell that I'm NOT happy about all this, because while the
JMRI software was free (about what it's worth), the computer, PR3 interface (and
it's power supply) were far from being free at over $350! What a waste, my old
computer's database would store the loco & decoder data just as well, and it
won't program a decoder either!

Regards,
Bill

I've been doing business with Newhall Station for a while - and have been very
happy with the service:
http://www.newhallstation.com/store/index.php/cPath/23_32?osCsid=a8dfb9e672b2ea7\
32935117dd281d0df

There is their Thomas page...

As an FYI - all run great on Kato and code 80 track.  Code 55... not so much. 
The flanges are SO big that they hit the ties on everything - and my LHS scoffed
at me when I asked to have them reduced!

Ha!

Enjoy.


--- On Mon, 11/23/09, Harry Critchfield <hgcrcc@...> wrote:

From: Harry Critchfield <hgcrcc@...>
Subject: [Digitrax] Re: BachmanThomas the Tank
To: Digitrax@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, November 23, 2009, 6:58 PM







 









       Where do I look for a N Thomas the Tank?



Harry




















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Find an old Hard Disk Drive and take the slave/master jumper off of it. You
should be able to find one at any computer store that does repairs. They would
probably give it to you.

-----Original Message-----
From: Digitrax@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Digitrax@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
sergio milko
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 7:42 PM
To: Digitrax@yahoogroups.com; jmriusers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digitrax] locobuffer jumper

I want to set the locobuffer as a Terminator, my question is if the jumper to do
it is just a bridge to connect both pins or if it is any kind of resistence or
anything similar? I don´t find it inside the locobuffer so I have to buy it in
any electronic shop or can I solder a wire between the pins? Sergio










Sergio Milko

SEE MY HO LAYOUT VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATWVjyPY0RE
AND MY HO LAYOUT BLOG: http://sergiomilkoholayout.blogspot.com/



--- El lun 23-nov-09, Ross Kudlick <ross.kudlick@...> escribió:


De: Ross Kudlick <ross.kudlick@...>
Asunto: RE: [Digitrax] Another UP5 Power Question
Para: Digitrax@yahoogroups.com
Fecha: lunes, 23 de noviembre de 2009, 10:24 pm






Doug,

One of the UP5's in the daisy chain needs to get "Aux" power from an
"optional" PS14 or equivalent power supply. The "positive" connection is
made by the "daisy-chain" wire soldered to each board; the "negative"
connection is made through the LocoNet cables.

Ross

_____

From: Digitrax@yahoogroup s.com [mailto:Digitrax@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf
Of Choochoodoug
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 6:01 PM
To: Digitrax@yahoogroup s.com
Subject: [Digitrax] Another UP5 Power Question

Sorry, still try to get educated on powering UP5's through daisy chaining
them with the +Common wire. If you solder a wire to the +Common with 12V DC
from another UP or UR Panel, where does it recieve the Positive side of the
power feed?

My understanding of electricity is that if you have a common, you have to
have a positive side of the power. Where does it receive that part of the
power feed if the one wire from other UP or UR panels are connected through
the common of each UP or UR panel?

Thanks.

Doug Wagner
Bakersfield, California

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]









       Yahoo! Cocina

Encontra las mejores recetas con Yahoo! Cocina.


http://ar.mujer.yahoo.com/cocina/

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

Where do I look for a N Thomas the Tank?

Harry

I did but there are problems.

1) The heat builds up after a few hours.  Not an issue if you are doing it four
grandkids, but a problem at a show.

2) The copper wipes are not sufficient for good DCC operation.  As I changed
speed or direction little Thomas often misbehaved and rear ended other trains. 
Fortunately, he is too light to do serious damage.

Both are solvable,  but with some effort.

Good luck,
Clark


--- In Digitrax@yahoogroups.com, "boomer535" <boomer17@...> wrote:
>
> Has anyone managed to install a decoder in one of these engines? Any tips? How
do they perform?
>
> Thanks for any help on this.
>
> Ken
>

I want to set the locobuffer as a Terminator, my question is if the jumper to do
it is just a bridge to connect both pins or if it is any kind of resistence or
anything similar? I don´t find it inside the locobuffer so I have to buy it in
any electronic shop or can I solder a wire between the pins? Sergio










Sergio Milko

SEE MY HO LAYOUT VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATWVjyPY0RE
AND MY HO LAYOUT BLOG: http://sergiomilkoholayout.blogspot.com/



--- El lun 23-nov-09, Ross Kudlick <ross.kudlick@...> escribió:


De: Ross Kudlick <ross.kudlick@...>
Asunto: RE: [Digitrax] Another UP5 Power Question
Para: Digitrax@yahoogroups.com
Fecha: lunes, 23 de noviembre de 2009, 10:24 pm


 



Doug,

One of the UP5's in the daisy chain needs to get "Aux" power from an
"optional" PS14 or equivalent power supply. The "positive" connection is
made by the "daisy-chain" wire soldered to each board; the "negative"
connection is made through the LocoNet cables.

Ross

_____

From: Digitrax@yahoogroup s.com [mailto:Digitrax@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf
Of Choochoodoug
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 6:01 PM
To: Digitrax@yahoogroup s.com
Subject: [Digitrax] Another UP5 Power Question

Sorry, still try to get educated on powering UP5's through daisy chaining
them with the +Common wire. If you solder a wire to the +Common with 12V DC
from another UP or UR Panel, where does it recieve the Positive side of the
power feed?

My understanding of electricity is that if you have a common, you have to
have a positive side of the power. Where does it receive that part of the
power feed if the one wire from other UP or UR panels are connected through
the common of each UP or UR panel?

Thanks.

Doug Wagner
Bakersfield, California

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]









       Yahoo! Cocina

Encontra las mejores recetas con Yahoo! Cocina.


http://ar.mujer.yahoo.com/cocina/

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Doug - I, too just purchased a new, albeit discontinued Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0
and couldn't re-program the address until I put a 1K resistor across the
programming outputs, as you suggested.  Worked fine.  Thank you.
- Len James


--- In Digitrax@yahoogroups.com, "Doug Stuard" <dstuard@...> wrote:
>
> For programming Lenz and certain other decoders, a 1 K resistor
> across the programming outputs will usually do the trick.
>
> Doug Stuard
>

Hi all!

Our club recently got a new Digitrax Chief system with one of the new DT402
throttles.

This throttle has been working fine for a few weeks...till last Friday! We had
it plugged into a panel, with a Zephyr controlling the layout and 2 UT4's
controlling the other trains. All was working fine till the Zephyr started to
struggle with 4 sound equipped locos, so we had to take one off.

A while later the the DT402's screen went blank, then came back to life again,
showing the voltage as it does when first plugged in. It worked fine for a bit
then did the same thing again. A bit later I picked the throttle up to deconsist
a couple of locos and noticed the screen was dead. I plugged it into a different
Loconet panel, but still dead. I then tried it plugged directly into the Zephyr,
but still nothing.

The other two throttles were still working fine, so no problem with the loconet.
I then took the throttle home & tested it on my Chief, but still dead. I have
checked the cord & connector, but they still appear firmly connected. I have
also tapped the throttle a few times just in case there was a loose connection
inside, but still nothing...

Does anyone know what might be wrong with this throttle? Has anyone else had
problems with the DT402?

Any advice would be most welcome!

Thanks,

Peter

Doug,



One of the UP5's in the daisy chain needs to get "Aux" power from an
"optional"  PS14 or equivalent power supply.  The "positive" connection is
made by the "daisy-chain" wire soldered to each board;  the "negative"
connection is made through the LocoNet cables.



Ross



   _____

From: Digitrax@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Digitrax@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Choochoodoug
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 6:01 PM
To: Digitrax@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digitrax] Another UP5 Power Question





Sorry, still try to get educated on powering UP5's through daisy chaining
them with the +Common wire. If you solder a wire to the +Common with 12V DC
from another UP or UR Panel, where does it recieve the Positive side of the
power feed?

My understanding of electricity is that if you have a common, you have to
have a positive side of the power. Where does it receive that part of the
power feed if the one wire from other UP or UR panels are connected through
the common of each UP or UR panel?

Thanks.

Doug Wagner
Bakersfield, California



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 11/22/09 23:24:06 Central Standard Time, mvns1@...
  writes:

In  other words, the act of installing a decoder seems to suck the life out
of our  N scale engines. A decoder by its very nature will make an engine
run slower.  And I can't figure out why.

Regards,
Glenn  Koproske



Glenn

I haven't met an N scale engine yet that didn't run at 2 to 3 times the
speed of the prototype and I started in N back at Christmas of '69.That's one
of  the advantages of DCC. I can program the loco for a proper speed range.
No, I  don't guess at it either. I use a Trainspeed digital speedometer on a
15' long,  straight, level portion of my layout so I can run back and forth
to get good  baseline data for each loco and adjust my speed tables from
there. Every  loco I have set up has required a reduced top speed setting in
the decoder for  realistic speeds and I am using  the N setting on my command
station which  puts out way less voltage than the typical 14-18 volts of a
typical DC  powerpack. Remember, these are trains, not slotcars.

Kicks
St Charles IL


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

From the 12 volt power supply you plug into the side jack of one of the
UP5's   Go to the Digitrax web site and download the manual for the UP5, all
is explained there


Regards

Phil Euper in SC

----- Original Message -----
From: "Choochoodoug" <carldw@...>
To: <Digitrax@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 6:00 PM
Subject: [Digitrax] Another UP5 Power Question


> Sorry, still try to get educated on powering UP5's through daisy chaining
> them with the +Common wire. If you solder a wire to the +Common with 12V
> DC from another UP or UR Panel, where does it recieve the Positive side of
> the power feed?
>
> My understanding of electricity is that if you have a common, you have to
> have a positive side of the power. Where does it receive that part of the
> power feed if the one wire from other UP or UR panels are connected
> through the common of each UP or UR panel?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Doug Wagner
> Bakersfield, California
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

I believe through the loconet. Thats why some folks dont daisey chain.They power
buss wires with  connectors and plug them into the side of eack Up5. So they run
wire from a source to a terminal block them make up wire sets with the correct
ends to plug into side of Up5s .Steve
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Choochoodoug
   To: Digitrax@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 3:00 PM
   Subject: [Digitrax] Another UP5 Power Question



   Sorry, still try to get educated on powering UP5's through daisy chaining them
with the +Common wire. If you solder a wire to the +Common with 12V DC from
another UP or UR Panel, where does it recieve the Positive side of the power
feed?

   My understanding of electricity is that if you have a common, you have to have
a positive side of the power. Where does it receive that part of the power feed
if the one wire from other UP or UR panels are connected through the common of
each UP or UR panel?

   Thanks.

   Doug Wagner
   Bakersfield, California





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sorry, still try to get educated on powering UP5's through daisy chaining them
with the +Common wire. If you solder a wire to the +Common with 12V DC from
another UP or UR Panel, where does it recieve the Positive side of the power
feed?

My understanding of electricity is that if you have a common, you have to have a
positive side of the power. Where does it receive that part of the power feed if
the one wire from other UP or UR panels are connected through the common of each
UP or UR panel?

Thanks.

Doug Wagner
Bakersfield, California

Last week, I got a PR3 and a 14v power supply from Digitrax so that I can stand
alone program my decoders. I set up the PR3 with the power supply, and the USB
cable, and connected it to a section of track. I then set the button to operate
on PR3 mode, which was confirmed by the green LED blinking one second on, and
off. When I read/write, the red LED confirms operating by blinking on/off twice
per second, or alternating red/green, depending on what is happening, as it
should, according to the directions.

I have looked at several locos, and changed afew CV's without problem, and then
I got brave/foolish.

I have a LifeLike Proto 1000 FM C-Liner A and B units with DH123 decoders and
FSX0146 sound decoders in them. They are identical, and both work well, with the
GP38 default sounds. I took the A unit, and checked it with the PR3, and all was
working well. The I downloaded the FM.spj file from the Digitrax site, and used
the big green "download spj file" button to save the FM sound project to the
0146. Everything seemed to go well, and there were no errors, only confirmation
messages of "deleting file" and writing sdf and wav files.

While this was downloading, the loco was moving back and forth on the
programming track. I then checked the sound with the SoundLeader program, and
got no sound. I made sure to set the volume CV's to the correct default
settings, and to try setting CV60 to a value of both 1 and 0. Still no sound.
When I slide the on screen speed switch up in both forward and reverse, the loco
starts to move, but there is no sound. I tried this with the unmodified B unit,
and it also moves, but the engine sounds also respond, as they should.

I called Digitrax, and talked with Dave, and he had no idea of the problem,
other than suggesting I send the PR3 back. I am not happy to do this, since it
seems to be working correctly, and it is brand new, just delivered from Digitrax
last week.

So, basically, I have spent $100+ for a programmer, hooked it up per the
directions, downloaded a new spj file, as per the instructions, and lost my
sound, and Digitrax doesn't know how I can fix it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is there anyone out there that might just have an answer for me to get out of my
quandry, and restore the sounds, either as a GP-38, or preferably as an FM
C-Liner?

Bill

Of course, I'm not talking about the train physically running into itself.

J. Scott Geare
Crozet VA 22932
434-823-4809
http://www.ezbizwebsite.com/




________________________________
From: Scott Geare <jsgeare@...>
To: Digitrax@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 23, 2009 4:58:26 PM
Subject: Re: [Digitrax] Re: How to wire this reversing situation ?


It's not about the length of the train. It's about the wheels on the train. If
metal, then there is a chance that the one at the end will cross gaps while the
one in front does the same. If they are all plastic, it doesn't matter. Yes?
Yes.

J. Scott Geare
Crozet VA 22932
434-823-4809
http://www.ezbizwebsite.com/

____________ _________ _________ __
From: wfre <wfre@pacbell. net>
To: Digitrax@yahoogroup s.com
Sent: Mon, November 23, 2009 3:21:44 PM
Subject: [Digitrax] Re: How to wire this reversing situation ?

--- In Digitrax@yahoogroup s.com, Jim Betz <jimbetz@... > wrote:
>     You can -not- use common rail wiring ... in your reversing sections. .....

Jim - guess my latest post (#146325) was not clear enough.  The 3 reversing
sections we have are all double-gapped and isolated from the Common Rail bus as
should be.  Its just the black rails shown in my diagram that are all part of
the Common Rail - and those are not in the reversing section.

My only remaining issue is Bill's concern that the reversing section may not be
long enough to contain an entire train especially if there are lighted passenger
cars or a track-powered lighted caboose that hits a gap at the same time as
exiting head-end power hits the forward gap.

Seems to me this is an issue whether we have DCC or DC but we have not had a
problem over many years of running DC.

Walt in Sausalito

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

It's not about the length of the train. It's about the wheels on the train. If
metal, then there is a chance that the one at the end will cross gaps while the
one in front does the same. If they are all plastic, it doesn't matter. Yes?
Yes.

J. Scott Geare
Crozet VA 22932
434-823-4809
http://www.ezbizwebsite.com/




________________________________
From: wfre <wfre@...>
To: Digitrax@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 23, 2009 3:21:44 PM
Subject: [Digitrax] Re: How to wire this reversing situation ?




--- In Digitrax@yahoogroup s.com, Jim Betz <jimbetz@... > wrote:
>     You can -not- use common rail wiring ... in your reversing sections. .....

Jim - guess my latest post (#146325) was not clear enough.  The 3 reversing
sections we have are all double-gapped and isolated from the Common Rail bus as
should be.  Its just the black rails shown in my diagram that are all part of
the Common Rail - and those are not in the reversing section.

My only remaining issue is Bill's concern that the reversing section may not be
long enough to contain an entire train especially if there are lighted passenger
cars or a track-powered lighted caboose that hits a gap at the same time as
exiting head-end power hits the forward gap.

Seems to me this is an issue whether we have DCC or DC but we have not had a
problem over many years of running DC.

Walt in Sausalito




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Glenn,
I don't have any of the IM F units. My FT's were dog slow right out of the box.
The decoder will use some of the voltage so that will slow them even more on
analog.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and the rest of the MVNS crew.

Martin Myers


--- In Digitrax@yahoogroups.com, "mvns1" <mvns1@...> wrote:
>
> Here is an email comment from a train buddy of mine for whom I did some
decoder installations.
> ================================
> I ran my DCC conversions on my layout [analog] this evening.  The Kato PRR E
units fly along as usual, but the Intermountain NP F units lost a lot of speed. 
I guess I'll live with it, since I had freight in mind when I bought them.  Why
in the #$%^& blue blazes can't they get it right?  That really burns my bucket. 
I'm saving all the original circuit boards in case I ever get tired of slowpokes
and want to go back to the original speed.
> ================================
> In other words, the act of installing a decoder seems to suck the life out of
our N scale engines.  A decoder by its very nature will make an engine run
slower.  And I can't figure out why.
>
> Regards,
> Glenn Koproske
>

--- In Digitrax@yahoogroups.com, Jim Betz <jimbetz@...> wrote:
>     You can -not- use common rail wiring ... in your reversing sections. .....

Jim - guess my latest post (#146325) was not clear enough.  The 3 reversing
sections we have are all double-gapped and isolated from the Common Rail bus as
should be.  Its just the black rails shown in my diagram that are all part of
the Common Rail - and those are not in the reversing section.

My only remaining issue is Bill's concern that the reversing section may not be
long enough to contain an entire train especially if there are lighted passenger
cars or a track-powered lighted caboose that hits a gap at the same time as
exiting head-end power hits the forward gap.

Seems to me this is an issue whether we have DCC or DC but we have not had a
problem over many years of running DC.

Walt in Sausalito

Howdy

I recently converted some HO Athearn engines, but run them on dc since our club
doesn't have dcc yet.  I've not noticed any difference at all.

At first I wasn't sure what they would do.  I installed dh123's in 3 SD45T-2's. 
I placed them on a track about a foot apart.  I then placed three identical
engines (without decoders) on a paralle track each a foot apart.  I then ran all
six engines down the track about 30 feet, then back a few times.  Since they all
run about the same I run the dcc engines intermixed with non dcc engines.

I use this example to show others that the decoder does not restrict the use of
the engine to only dcc.

Larry

BTW The club I speak of is http://www.gsmrm.org.

T
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: "PHIL EUPER" <peuper@...>
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:52:41
To: <Digitrax@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Digitrax] Decoders Slow Down Our Engines

Jon,
That is what I would do....if he is going to maintain a DC layout then he
should just run generic DC locomotives.....there is probably an underlying
reason for putting a decoder in his locos such as taking them to a friend or
club DCC layout and running them there.......having said that I wouldn't
expect the same performance on the DC layout....as you say they are slower
than standard DC, some are slower than others but all are slower to some
extent.

Regards

Phil
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jon Miller" <atsf@...>
To: <Digitrax@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 11:28 AM
Subject: Re: [Digitrax] Decoders Slow Down Our Engines


>    Phil picked this up first read and I missed what was said.  Any decoder
> equipped engine will run much slower on DC.  They usually don't start
> until
> 6 or 7 volts is on the rails.  If this guy wants DCC then run DCC.
>
> Jon Miller
> AT&SF
> For me time stopped in 1941
> Digitrax, Chief/Zephyr systems, JMRI user
> NMRA Life member #2623
> Member SFRH&MS
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Jon,
That is what I would do....if he is going to maintain a DC layout then he
should just run generic DC locomotives.....there is probably an underlying
reason for putting a decoder in his locos such as taking them to a friend or
club DCC layout and running them there.......having said that I wouldn't
expect the same performance on the DC layout....as you say they are slower
than standard DC, some are slower than others but all are slower to some
extent.

Regards

Phil
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jon Miller" <atsf@...>
To: <Digitrax@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 11:28 AM
Subject: Re: [Digitrax] Decoders Slow Down Our Engines


>    Phil picked this up first read and I missed what was said.  Any decoder
> equipped engine will run much slower on DC.  They usually don't start
> until
> 6 or 7 volts is on the rails.  If this guy wants DCC then run DCC.
>
> Jon Miller
> AT&SF
> For me time stopped in 1941
> Digitrax, Chief/Zephyr systems, JMRI user
> NMRA Life member #2623
> Member SFRH&MS
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Walt,

     You can -not- use common rail wiring ... in your reversing sections.  They
must be totally separated from the rest of the layout.  Use double gaps at
both ends of each reversing section and use a separate reverser for each
reversing section.  If you are wise you will use the PSX-AR reversers for
this.
     The reversers are wired only to the reversing section (not "across" the
gaps).
The way a reverser (which is also a circuit breaker) works is that when it sees
a short it quickly asks the question "does reversing the polarity of the rails
fix the short?".  If it fixes it then it leaves it that way.  If the short is
there for
both polarities then it acts as a circuit breaker.

     Your wiring probably already has double gaps - it has to even if you are
running DC.  So the "common rail" thing isn't really true for a reversing
section.  What you are going to have to figure out is how to cause those
sections to be "re-wired" when switching from DC ops to DCC (as I
understand it you want to be able to run the RR on either DC or DCC).
Knowing what I do about your layout and how it is operated I can
understand  how you -think- you don't have double gaps - but you
do.  You have to ... or it wouldn't be a "reversing section".

     I have already done this for one layout and can provide details of how
it was done that you should be able to 'draw upon' as a guideline.  It
won't work exactly (probably) ... but it will give you the idea of what
you have to do.  Contact me off list.
                                                                                                     
- Jim

Phil picked this up first read and I missed what was said.  Any decoder
equipped engine will run much slower on DC.  They usually don't start until
6 or 7 volts is on the rails.  If this guy wants DCC then run DCC.

Jon Miller
AT&SF
For me time stopped in 1941
Digitrax, Chief/Zephyr systems, JMRI user
NMRA Life member #2623
Member SFRH&MS