I just received and set up my new Zephyr system. After installing the decoders in a pair of Kato SD-80/90, I set them on the track (individually), ran through the startup proceedures. They both worked like fine watches. I couldn't believe how smooth they were at ultra slow speed. Now, the bad news. I set up the programming track per instructinns and attempted to change an address from 03 to 05. No dice. all I got was the error message d_nd, which means a lack of continuity. I have checked continuity from the connector on the box to the track and had a couple tenths of an ohm resistance. Also checked the proceedure multiple times. I am suspecting an internal problem in the box. The external connector seems a bit looser than is desirable. Before I call Digitrax, does anyone have an idea of what I may have done wrong?? Len
May I suggest you post your question on the Digitrax Yahoo Group. There are many experts there that could answer your question. There are over 4000 members of the Digitrax Group. Be aware that this is NMRA convention week so traffic is a little light on the group. You can go to the group by selecting the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digitrax/ David
Len, This is apparently a pretty common problem. If you go to the Digitrax Yahoo Group you will get answers on what to do. I had the same problem with one of my Atlas decoder equipped GP38's but I was trying to program in 4-digit addressing. What worked for me was to simply keep trying and it usually worked after 4-5 tries. Very strange behavoir though. I think you'll find that the Zephyr is overall a great system and I definitely recommend the Yahoo group. Good luck...let us know how it goes.
Thanks to David and Doug for the heads up on the yahoo group. This morning I called Digitrax and discribed the situation. They said that the loose connector was not normal. Neither was the open circiut error message. I was told to send the unit in for service. By the way, I tried to reprogram both locos about a dozen times to no avail. I also directly connected the track leads of another decoder, to the rails of the prog track. Same result.....or lack of same. The prog track was freshly cleaned. Thanks again Len
First, I have run into this problem myself in the past and still do occassionally, when I am in a hurry. Programming tracks get very little power sent to them. NCE had an issue a couple of years ago where the power to the programming track was not powerful enough to program some sound decoders. They fixed the problem, but in the interim it was suggested that you "program on the main". Therefore enough power will get to the decoder for these functions. Before you program on the main you may want to try a couple of other options: - Clean your programming track. I clean mine with a metal polish. This ensures that dirt on the track won't interfere with the low power signal. - Also clean you locomotive wheels. Make sure there is no blackening or paint on the treads. Some new locomotives have a thin residue of oil on their wheels. This was applied at the factory to prevent corrosion in shipping. It is not enough to really impact normal running and will usually evaporate enough not to effect performance before the consumer buys it. Sometimes there is enough to interfere with the DCC programming signal. Cleaning your wheels should take care of this. You would be surprised how dirty some new locomotive wheels will be "out of the box" I hope this helps. Try programming a different locomotive as well to make sure it is the system, not the locomotive.
Hi AJ As I write this, the control unit is arriving at Digitrax. I sent it out yesterday via overnite UPS. I was under the impression that programming could not be done on the running rails. Digitrax claims that you can operate the layout whilst programming on the programming track. For that reason, I didn't even try. The programming track that I had set up was a single piece of Atlas code 80, with a short set of leads soldered on the end. I did clean the track with an eraser. Both locos gave me the open circuit error message. The last thing tried was to take the rail leads from a TCS decoder and press them directly against the rails. The control box gave me the same open circuit error on the display. I am willing to bet that the loose connector on the back of the box has something to do woth the problem. At this point, all I can do is bite my nails and waite for the control station to come back. Len PS: Both SD-80s ran beautifully with the default 03 address.
