Get a load of this and any response, even if you think I'm crazy is great. Been doing it with Digitrax for years. Problem I WAS having, and it is still a mystery, was that the Atlas decoder would not take input from my programming mode. I have an older BigBoy from digitrax and use the DT200 and a seperate programming track. Perhaps that may be the problem everything always works fine with the Digitrax decoders though. So--- after much trial and error I finnaly got the Atlas decoder to accept input. Here is what I finally figured out that I had to do. Maybe this is just weird but if anyone else has had this problem try it my way and maybe it will go. Normally I can just take any loco, put it on the program track, flip my switch to turn off the rest of the layout, and change any setting I want. Works great every time. Atlas decoders would not cooperate. I first have to power down the system. Then I place the loco with the Atlas decoder on the program track and set my DT200 to program mode. Then power up the system. Once all the beeps have finished I can program that sucker till my hearts content and THEY WORK GREAT THEN. It takes all of my instructions every time and with the exception that the Atlas decoder powers the loco a little differently I think they work just as well as the Digitrax so far. Any more input from anyone would be appreciated. Certainly if someone has had a similar difficulty that would make me feel better. Thanx, Scott
Don't know what to say on that. I use NCE and just put the Atlas babies on the programming track and they take the programming with no problems. Must be some interaction between Digitrax and Atlas.
Very Interesting... I'm using a Lenz 01 set and mostly Soundtraxx decoders and I have similar problems. Usually I can put the loco on the programming track and run through the CV's, but every once in a while, it doesn't seem to take them. I'm going to try your method out and see what happens. Thanks for the tip.
You don't tell us an important thing. Is this HO or N scale? If it's HO, then it's a Lenz decoder, and there is a problem with the Digitrax system. Possibly an outdated software. Look to the www.tttrains.com for problems and workaround. If it's N scale, all but the SD60 and the B23-7 are Digitrax, and I was noticing during perusing the digitrax board on Yahoo, there are known problems/quirks and workarounds posted there, being discussed, and people keep notebooks on them to avoid problems in the future. Why Atlas is producing a Lenz system, Lenz HO, and mixing N decoders is beyond me. Yeah, you should be able to mix and switch these decoders, but even Stan Ames has found problems with Digitrax. He's addressed them with the company. You'll find a list of the problems and workarounds in the file library. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by scottadcock: Get a load of this and any response, even if you think I'm crazy is great. Been doing it with Digitrax for years. Problem I WAS having, and it is still a mystery, was that the Atlas decoder would not take input from my programming mode. I have an older BigBoy from digitrax and use the DT200 and a seperate programming track. Perhaps that may be the problem everything always works fine with the Digitrax decoders though. So--- after much trial and error I finnaly got the Atlas decoder to accept input. Here is what I finally figured out that I had to do. Maybe this is just weird but if anyone else has had this problem try it my way and maybe it will go. Normally I can just take any loco, put it on the program track, flip my switch to turn off the rest of the layout, and change any setting I want. Works great every time. Atlas decoders would not cooperate. I first have to power down the system. Then I place the loco with the Atlas decoder on the program track and set my DT200 to program mode. Then power up the system. Once all the beeps have finished I can program that sucker till my hearts content and THEY WORK GREAT THEN. It takes all of my instructions every time and with the exception that the Atlas decoder powers the loco a little differently I think they work just as well as the Digitrax so far. Any more input from anyone would be appreciated. Certainly if someone has had a similar difficulty that would make me feel better. Thanx, Scott <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Any computer setup takes care of any and all problems with the decoders. I use Winloc set on ops mode and you can set all CV's practically on the fly.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by scottadcock: ...I have an older BigBoy from digitrax and use the DT200 and a seperate programming track. Perhaps that may be the problem everything always works fine with the Digitrax decoders though. ... Thanx, Scott <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> The Big Boy w/ DT 200 uses paged mode programming only. Not 100 percent sure but have heard the Atlas decoders support direct mode programming and not anything else. Obviously you've found a work around that sounds very strange. Well it works... Most decoders support most programming modes and most command stations support multiple programming modes. The least capable systems validate the saying "you get what you pay for." MRC Command 2000 and decoders only support register mode programming. The Atlas Commander is a direct mode programmer. The decoders Atlas is installing vary but don't seem to work with everything. Newer Digitrax, NCE, Easy DCC, as well as computer programmers all support multiple programming methods. Have fun. Tom
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Paul Rahman: You don't tell us an important thing. Is this HO or N scale? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Atals Decoders are only HO scale if that is what you are talking about Any one know is these things will even get produced in N. I hope not, I prefer the Lenz decoders they are sending out, and have a feeling that will be all they do for the next while! Happy Railroading! Dane [ 13 June 2001: Message edited by: BC Rail King ]
scottadcock, this is a workaround that I have found works with my system. I have a Lenz 01 and use Soundtraxx decoders. I found that I could not read what values were in the various CV's. Talked to Stan Ames and he said that the Lenz was putting the correct values into the decoder, I just couln't read them. Anyway, I came across this fix; on one of the legs of your connection from the command station to the programming track try putting a 10ohm 5watt(correct)resistor in series. The theory is that you are slowing down the packet query from the command station so it has time to read the decoder. It has worked very well. LOL
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BC Rail King: [QB] Atals Decoders are only HO scale if that is what you are talking about Any one know is these things will even get produced in N. I hope not, I prefer the Lenz decoders they are sending out, and have a feeling that will be all they do for the next while! QB]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I agree with you. I've had nothing but trouble with Digitrax decoders in N. The Atlas HO decoders are Lenz. I replaced them all with Lenz, and have had no problem since. Also, in response to another reply above on programming modes-the Atlas/Lenz decoders use all three programming modes. Direct, register and paged. Paul [ 15 June 2001: Message edited by: Paul Rahman ]
