Hi, I'm new to this all... I run z scale and my first project was to grind down and install a DZ123 into an MTL F7 engine. Surprise everyone, it worked. After a few months one of the leads broke off the board, so I bought a new decoder for the engine and soldered it on. (All except the two leads for the headlight, they are loose and free not touching anything.) Problem is, every time I go to program the decoder, I get different values for the decoder, sometimes it's manufacture 153 and version 'Can Not Read', some times manufacture 129 and CNR, or manufacture 152 and version 038, next time manufacture 130 and 037. Now prior to this I had a dirt issue and cleaned my track and then tried to clean the engine so I wondered if it's a contact issue with the track or is it a problem with the decoder? hints ideas? I have one more new decoder I could try but I'd thought I'd put this out there and try to learn something new.
How big (length) is your programming track? How long are the wires between the command station and the track? What DCC system are you using? Greg
You had me questioning my self ... I've been using the main track which is about 50 feet long ( remember I'm in Z scale LOL) ... but to be sure I switched over to a single 10" long piece of track with 12" of leads to this programing track... and I still get the inconsistent results where it won't program. I use a NCE Power Cab. I do have still another new decoder in the bag which I could try soldering on, but I'm stubborn and want to learn what I'm doing wrong with the one I've got hooked up. Is it possible that this decoder is 'broken'?
Try programming in Paged mode on NCE Power Cab. It think its Option 4 on the second page when you enter programming mode.
