How do you configure a TSU-750 address with Digitrax Zephyr?

[Bart1701]

I've got a Soundtraxx TSU-750 decoder in an N Gauge locomotive and I can't figure out how to change the decoder address from its default value of "03" to a 4-digit address.

I know I've done it with other TSU-750s in the past, but cannot remember what the secret was to doing this with a Zephyr. Is it using Digitrax's "blast mode", programming it on the main in OPS mode, or some other secret?

I am hoping someone can refresh my memory on the steps involved in doing this.

Thanks,
Bart

[RBrodzinsky]

The best way is to use the Program Track outputs to a separate piece of track. Place the loco on the programming track, press the PROG button the Zephyr, the press LOCO twice. The display should read ADDR4. Then enter the address you want and press the CV-WR button

[Bart1701]

Unfortunately, that is not the solution for a TSU-750 sound decoder. As I recall, sound decoders need a little stronger signal sent to them to them to be able to program them...more power than is needed with programming a more basic decoder. Just to be sure, I retried doing it on the programming track as was suggested and did not have any luck getting the address to change. I have done this before with TSU-750's - I just can't remember what the trick was.

Thanks,
Bart

[jagged ben]

I've read that you need a $60 dollar device between the command station and the programming track.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/access/ptb100.php

But we tried this at the club and haven't gotten it to work yet.

If there is another trick I'd really like to know about it.

(Is this one of those silly things where if you put a resistor in parallel it does something?)

[RBrodzinsky]

Sorry, thought you were forgetting how to set the address with the Zephyr. Yes, try putting a 1k ohm resistor across the programming track.

[peteski]

Sorry, thought you were forgetting how to set the address with the Zephyr. Yes, try putting a 1k ohm resistor across the programming track.

I still don't quite get it how adding an extra load across the programming track (the 1k resistor) actually aids in programming the decoders which need higher current than the average decoder.  If anything that draws more current from the command stations programming track output.

[Bart1701]

Problem solved!  I kept trying different things, but finally succeeded with this:

Locomotive on the Mainline.
No other locomotives on the tracks.
Track Power ON
Locomotive selected ( as for normal operation)
Go into Program Mode.
Change to the "blast" setting on the Zephyr ( Press SWITCH, 7, c, Exit) Link: http://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB33/programming-soundtraxx-tsunami-decoders-with-digit/
Go to PAGE programming mode (Had not used PAGE on the Mainline in my earlier attempts)
Press LOCO key twice to get to ADD4
Key in the desired value and then CV-WRITE.
(For good luck, I re-did the steps to write ADD4. One post on the old Atlas Forum said sometimes they had to do this step twice. Since it didn't cost anything to do this, I did it a second time ,too)
Exited PROGRAM mode.
Locomotive responded to correct (new) address!

Turned off Blast mode (PROGRAM, SWITCH, 7, t, EXIT).

All is good now!

Thanks,
Bart

[jagged ben]

Glad you got it working Bart.

I still want to poll the members here about this resistor thing....

Does putting a 1K resistor across the programming rails work for you specifically to program Soundtraxx Tsunami decoders using Digitrax?
Yes or No?
Are there other steps required?
Have you done it with JMRI?

[carlso]

Ben,

I too had a Zypher for my initial entry into DCC, it was good as an entry level system. However, when I "graduated" to putting Tsunami's in my steamers the Zephyr would not work. Yes. I tried the 1K resistor and that was a joke, nothing improved. I even purchased a programming track booster and again nothing changed. I should mention that my Zephyr is one from the very first run back 15-20 years ago.

So, I purchased an NCE Powercab and it worked, however I moved onto JMRI and still use it today for my Tsunami and ESU sound decoders. The only thing I found with JMRI is that there are so  many new versions of sound decoders that JMRI is a little slow in getting the new ones into their data base. It most likely is not JMRI's fault but rather decoder manufacturers that are slow getting the new info to the JMRI folks. Just my 2 cents worth!

Carl

[mmyers]

The !k resistor won't help to program Sound decoders. That trick is to add some load to the program track so that the command station can see the motor's ack on certain decoders. It works great to read Lenz decoders.

To program sound decoders you need more current then most low current prgram tracks can muster. That's the reason the sound decoder companies will be happy to seell you a program booster. Zephyr and Zephyr extra have the added feature of "Blast Mode". It can be activated by closing option switch 7. Basically it allows Zephyr to use full power through the track outputs to program. Works just like the DB150 Empire Builder and will program everything on the track. BTW, Empire Builder will program sound decoders without the extra booster but it can't read back. Of course read back really isn't needed if the CV gets written and it runs on the track. If it doesn't get written, it won't run and no amount of reading it will fix it. Only writing the correct value will fix it so why waste a bunch of time reading wrong values?

NCE Power cab puts more power through its program outputs. BTW, Pro Cab doesn't and you will need a booster

JMRI folks have to write the definitions for each new decoder. It's all volunteer and probably life gets in the way and slows things down. BTW, any one can write those definitions...

Martin Myers

[jagged ben]

Thanks for the replies.

So let's say you have a system with the DCS100 or DCS200...  Do you still need to worry about this option switch 7 or anything like it?
Or just program on the main?  (Ops mode)

Anybody do this successfully with JMRI?

[reinhardtjh]

OP switch7 is only valid on the Zephyr. With a DCS100, DCS200 or any other Digitrax command station you would need a programming booster or do the programming on the main.  If on the main you would need to make sure all other mobile decoder equipped devices are removed if you need to set the decoder address since it will use a broadcast command which will affect all decoders that see the command.

[jagged ben]

An update...

Disclaimers:
This regards Athearn N scale F45/FP45s.   Don't know if it will work for all Tsumanis...
It applies to using JRMI and a DCS100.

Like most locos they come programmed to address 3 out of the box.  (If already programmed to some other address, you'll need to know what that address is and substitute that number for 3, or do a reset.  I was able to do a reset on the programming track but not change the address.)

• Create a roster entry with address 3 if you don't already have one.  (It doesn't even need to use the right decoder type.)
• Open the Ops Mode Programmer (Program on the Main) using the entry with address 3.
• On the 'Basic' tab, choose 'Long' for the address type (if desired) and type in the address you want.  Important:  Don't write anything from this page!
• Go to the 'CVs' tab and you'll see updated values for CVs 17, 18, and 29.  Write them from this page in that order.  Your loco will now respond to the new address.
• Close that programmer. (Don't save it on the way out, you might need it again.)
• Create a roster entry with the new address and the correct decoder type.
• Open the Ops Mode Programmer (Program on the Main) using the new entry program other options, as desired.

I don't believe this affects any other locos on the main unless they are using one of the addresses you are using.  But I didn't verify that.