Decoder problems in Kato SD40-2...

Sumner Jul 14, 2019

  1. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Wondering if anyone has any insight to a problem I'm having with a N scale SD40-2?

    The second loco I bought after reentering the hobby this year was a used (Ebay) N scale Kato SD40-2. It came equipped with a Digitrax DN163K1B decoder programmed to the engine's road number. The engine ran great. Since it was my first experience with DCC I reprogrammed the engine to address 3 just for practice. That all went fine and the engine still ran great on address 3.

    I then tried multiple times to reprogram it back to the road number with no success. Usually getting the 308 error. This was using DecoderPro on the program track. I tried using the "Basic" function and also tried by directly changing the associated CV's. No luck, but the engine still ran fine using address 3.

    I ordered a new decoder. The DN163K1B has been replaced by the DN163K1C which is what I ordered and received. I installed that decoder and was able to right away program it to the road number with no problems.

    I'm wondering if the first decoder might still work fine in a different loco or not or if there is something I'm overlooking? I've kept it and will try it in the future if I buy another SD40-2 but for now I'm trying to add different locos that UP used from the 50's into the 70's.

    Thanks for any help,

    Sumner
     
  2. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Since you have an alternate, try reinstalling the B decoder, and doing a factory reset (set CV8=8). This might get it to respond to programming, again.
     
  3. RCMan

    RCMan TrainBoard Member

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    Are you sure that Decoder Pro was set also for the Programmer Track? If it was set to POM you will get that error.

    It is easy to forget to check this.

    Dennis
     
  4. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, I tried numerous times to set CV8 but like the other CV's I could never write to any of them. Reading the decoder if I remember right was also iffy. I might try putting it back in as you pointed out but at this point I'm gun shy with that approach as the loco is working. Will probably get another 40-2 at some point that needs a decoder and try with it.

    Thanks Dennis for the input but yes tried a number of times and DecoderPro was set to the program track, have to admit I did make that mistake once with a different loco. Have also forgotten once or twice to turn the power onto the track :( but usually that become evident pretty quickly :),

    Sumner
     

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