TCS CN decoder - can't set the locomotive address

[mmyers]

For 28/128 speed steps = 2
analog conversion on =     4
4 digit addressing on  =   32

Total for CV29             = 38
"
If using a Digitrax system to program, press "Y" to the prompt after programming the address. This will cause the programmer to add 32 to the value in CV29 to turn on 4 digit addressing. If you miss the prompt just program the address again and the prompt will reappear. I miss it frequently.

[Rich_S]

That won't work, since it is bit 6 (32) that switches between 2 digit and 4 digit addresses. The typical value for CV29 is 6: 28/128 speed step (4) and DC analog mode on (2) and 2 digit address (0). Flipping to 4 digit address adds 32.

Digitrax provides a CV29 calculator http://www.digitrax.com/support/cv/calculators/#cv29_calc

I do not know about the Zephyr system, but my Digitrax Empire builder only accepts hex numbers. So 38 decimal is 26 hex.

[peteski]

my Digitrax Empire builder only accepts hex numbers. So 38 decimal is 26 hex.

LOL!  Really? I love it!

[mmyers]

I do not know about the Zephyr system, but my Digitrax Empire builder only accepts hex numbers. So 38 decimal is 26 hex.

You must be using a DT100/Dt300 throttle? Empire Builder's DB150 has always accepted decimal when using a throttle that does decimal. Any DT400 or above will do either. Just press the throttle knob once to toggle between decimal and hex when programming. Earlier throttles could not display more than two places on the display so hex was required to enter values above 99. The exception was 4 digit addresses which they were able to program in base10. The manual has a decimal to hexidecimal conversion chart which makes it relatively simple to do.
Zephyr accepts and displays decimal values. Its throttle could also be used to program through a DB150 command station if desired.

[Rich_S]

You must be using a DT100/Dt300 throttle? Empire Builder's DB150 has always accepted decimal when using a throttle that does decimal. Any DT400 or above will do either. Just press the throttle knob once to toggle between decimal and hex when programming. Earlier throttles could not display more than two places on the display so hex was required to enter values above 99. The exception was 4 digit addresses which they were able to program in base10. The manual has a decimal to hexadecimal conversion chart which makes it relatively simple to do.
Zephyr accepts and displays decimal values. Its throttle could also be used to program through a DB150 command station if desired.

That is correct, I have the DT100 throttle with the DB150 command station. I always use the chart in the back of the book along with the CV29 programming chart found on pages 41 and 42 of the Digitrax DCC Mobile Decoder Users Manual. Since I have a programming background, Hex numbers are not intimidating for me, they are just numbers, only difference they are base 16 not base 10. Programming a 4 digit address using the DT100 is really simple, you enter program mode, then select CV18 using the left knob. Press the mode button twice and enter the 4 digit road number. CV17 and CV18 do not have to be programmed separately. 

I do not own a Zephyr system, but I've seen photo's that shows it does have two Loconet ports in the back of the unit. Can you plug a DT400 in the Zephyr system and program locomotives using the DT400 instead of using the keys on the Zephyr keypad?

I own several of the TCS CN and CN-GP decoders and have not had any problems programming them using my DT100 with my DB150 command station. Does the OP have a bad decoder or is it an issue with the Zephyr command station?
 

[nstars]

You must be using a DT100/Dt300 throttle? Empire Builder's DB150 has always accepted decimal when using a throttle that does decimal. Any DT400 or above will do either. Just press the throttle knob once to toggle between decimal and hex when programming. Earlier throttles could not display more than two places on the display so hex was required to enter values above 99. The exception was 4 digit addresses which they were able to program in base10. The manual has a decimal to hexidecimal conversion chart which makes it relatively simple to do.
Zephyr accepts and displays decimal values. Its throttle could also be used to program through a DB150 command station if desired.

The DT300 works perfectly with decimal numbers as it uses the same display as the DT400. The DT100 and DT200 are the problematic throttles.

Marc

[RBrodzinsky]

I do not own a Zephyr system, but I've seen photo's that shows it does have two Loconet ports in the back of the unit. Can you plug a DT400 in the Zephyr system and program locomotives using the DT400 instead of using the keys on the Zephyr keypad?

I own several of the TCS CN and CN-GP decoders and have not had any problems programming them using my DT100 with my DB150 command station. Does the OP have a bad decoder or is it an issue with the Zephyr command station?
 

Yep - I use either a DT402, or DecoderPro via LocoBuffer-USB plugged into the Zephyr

My guess is bad decoder, at this point. Probably messed up firmware

[Greg Elmassian]

I suppose if you looked hard enough you could find a way to enter in binary! 

LOL!  Really? I love it!

[Rich_S]

The DT100 and DT200 are the problematic throttles.

Marc

I guess I've been lucky so far, I have two DT100 throttles and have zero issues. They are both going on 15 years old 

[Bart1701]

The decoder is now responding to a 4-digit address! I got this reply from Dan at TCS:

Your CV values seem to be correct, but I think you may be programming out of order possibly. For example, if you are doing your programming on the main, you need to set your numeric address CVs before you enable 4-digit addressing using CV29. If you set CV29 for 4-digit addressing before setting the numeric address, you will be attempting to do OPS programming for a loco which can no longer be addressed. If you are using a programming track, this is not an issue.
However, if you program a value to CV1, a TCS decoder will automatically revert to 2-digit addressing.
 
So, program in this order:
CV18
CV17
CV29

And that should be it. You don't need to do any additional programming as long as you either A. Used a programming track, or B. Did this programming in this order in OPS mode to the decoder's 2-digit address.

I programmed the CVs in the suggested order in OPS mode on the mainline and all was good.

Who knew that there was a specific order, and the warning not to program anything into CV1 - obviously not me!

Thanks for the help everyone!

Bart

[peteski]

The decoder is now responding to a 4-digit address! I got this reply from Dan at TCS:

Your CV values seem to be correct, but I think you may be programming out of order possibly. For example, if you are doing your programming on the main, you need to set your numeric address CVs before you enable 4-digit addressing using CV29. If you set CV29 for 4-digit addressing before setting the numeric address, you will be attempting to do OPS programming for a loco which can no longer be addressed. If you are using a programming track, this is not an issue.
However, if you program a value to CV1, a TCS decoder will automatically revert to 2-digit addressing.
 
So, program in this order:
CV18
CV17
CV29

And that should be it. You don't need to do any additional programming as long as you either A. Used a programming track, or B. Did this programming in this order in OPS mode to the decoder's 2-digit address.

I programmed the CVs in the suggested order in OPS mode on the mainline and all was good.

Who knew that there was a specific order, and the warning not to program anything into CV1 - obviously not me!

Thanks for the help everyone!

Bart

This makes sense for OPS mode programming. That type of programming is done by addressing that specific loco on the main by addressing the programming packet with the address the loco is currently set to respond to. You need to set the 4-digit address before telling the the decoder to start responding to it (by setting the 4-digit address in CV29).  For any OPS mode programming you have to know what address the loco is programmed to respond.

But I thought you were programming your model on a programming track (not in OPS mode).  In that situation the loco will respond to the programming packets regardless of its programmed address. On programming track any CV can be set in any order.

[mmyers]

I thought you were using a programming track too. Guess I should have asked.

[peteski]

I thought you were using a programming track too. Guess I should have asked.

If you look at the initial post Bart specifically mentioned using programming track (not OPS programming).  So to me the mystery is still not solved. Using the programming track he should have no problems programming any 2- or 4- digit addresses.

[nstars]

I though too. Although it is possible I would recommend not to program an address using OPS mode as you can't get a confirmation by reading the CV's and it can become confusing.

Marc

[peteski]

I though too. Although it is possible I would recommend not to program an address using OPS mode as you can't get a confirmation by reading the CV's and it can become confusing.

Marc

I agree 100%. I only use OPS mode when tuning motor parameters (like BEMF), or various sound-related settings.  Never address changes.