K4 Digitrax help needed

[dougnelson]

I am trying, without success, to change the whistle on my K4s using my Digitrax Zephyr.  I know I need to change CV 115 to 1, but after numerous tries following the Digitrax manual, I am still striking out.   

My programming track is functional as I was able to change a loco address.  Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

[davefoxx]

Maybe this is one of those situations where you have to install a resistor across the rails to make the programming work.

DFF

[SP-Wolf]

And, since it is a sound decoder, you may need a booster:

Example:

http://www.dccspecialties.com/products/powerpax.htm


Regards,
Wolf

[peteski]

The question is whether you can't change just the CV114 or all CVs on that decoder?  Try CV3 or CV29 for example.  Can you read any CVs (assuming that your system can read CVs)?

[seusscaboose]

If he could change the address without a resistor

The function change should be the same (I would think)

[delamaize]

With the Digitrax Zephyr, you gotta put it in blast mode and program on the main, and you will not be able to read, only write. Also, remember to put ONLY the locomotive you want to program on the rails.

http://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB33/programming-soundtraxx-tsunami-decoders-with-digit/

[dougnelson]

So blast mode is for programming on main track rather than on a programming track?  My layout has electrical blocks, so it is easy for me to isolate a section of main for programming.  I will give blast mode a try on the main.

I thought several people had already changed the whistle, so I was hoping one of them would respond.

Thanks for the help.

[reinhardtjh]

If you were able to change the loco address, then basic programming works.  Probably a booster won't be needed.

Sometimes changing certain CVs requires a power cycle on the decoder.  Try changing the CV115 and then tipping the loco off one set of wheels (tender included) so that the power is cut and then put it back and see if the value is changed.

[dougnelson]

Success!  Programming in Ops mode on the mainline I was able to change the whistle CV value. Better sounding whistle now.

Thanks for everyone's help.

[delamaize]

If you were able to change the loco address, then basic programming works.  Probably a booster won't be needed.

Sometimes changing certain CVs requires a power cycle on the decoder.  Try changing the CV115 and then tipping the loco off one set of wheels (tender included) so that the power is cut and then put it back and see if the value is changed.

the Zephyr doesn't have issues with changing addresses on normal power, but for changing the sound CVs it needs more juice, Hince, blast mode.....or at least mine does.

Although, I use JMRI and a PR3 Xtra now, and don't have any issues programing, although reading is another story....

[peteski]

the Zephyr doesn't have issues with changing addresses on normal power, but for changing the sound CVs it needs more juice, Hince, blast mode.....or at least mine does.

That's strange.  From the way I understand decoder internal construction, all the CVs are just registers (like memory cells) inside the microcontroller (the brain of the decoder).  There should be no electrical difference whether the CV you are accessing reading/writing is the locos address or a whistle type. 

The problem with sound decoders usually arises because the entire decoder has much more complex overall number of components so, it needs more power than a non-sound decoder.  It is the extra power consumption which prevents them from being programmed on the low-power programming track of certain brands of DCC systems.  There is no selective virtual power switches to activate the motor and the sound portions of the decoder. When it receives power (from the track), the entire decoder is on (sound and motor).

[reinhardtjh]

the Zephyr doesn't have issues with changing addresses on normal power, but for changing the sound CVs it needs more juice, Hince, blast mode.....or at least mine does.

Although, I use JMRI and a PR3 Xtra now, and don't have any issues programing, although reading is another story....

That's strange.  From the way I understand decoder internal construction, all the CVs are just registers (like memory cells) inside the microcontroller (the brain of the decoder).  There should be no electrical difference whether the CV you are accessing reading/writing is the locos address or a whistle type. 

The problem with sound decoders usually arises because the entire decoder has much more complex overall number of components so, it needs more power than a non-sound decoder.  It is the extra power consumption which prevents them from being programmed on the low-power programming track of certain brands of DCC systems.  There is no selective virtual power switches to activate the motor and the sound portions of the decoder. When it receives power (from the track), the entire decoder is on (sound and motor).

I don't have a Zephyr (I use a PR3 for programming and a DCS100 for the track.) so I was making an assumption based on pretty much the same thoughts.  A CV is a CV no matter what it controls.  I would think that programming one would be like programming any othere.  But I could be wrong (God knows it's happened plenty of times before).

[delamaize]

That's strange.  From the way I understand decoder internal construction, all the CVs are just registers (like memory cells) inside the microcontroller (the brain of the decoder).  There should be no electrical difference whether the CV you are accessing reading/writing is the locos address or a whistle type. 

The problem with sound decoders usually arises because the entire decoder has much more complex overall number of components so, it needs more power than a non-sound decoder.  It is the extra power consumption which prevents them from being programmed on the low-power programming track of certain brands of DCC systems.  There is no selective virtual power switches to activate the motor and the sound portions of the decoder. When it receives power (from the track), the entire decoder is on (sound and motor).


I don't have a Zephyr (I use a PR3 for programming and a DCS100 for the track.) so I was making an assumption based on pretty much the same thoughts.  A CV is a CV no matter what it controls.  I would think that programming one would be like programming any othere.  But I could be wrong (God knows it's happened plenty of times before).

I'm not sure how the whole thing works, when it comes to needed voltage/amprage to program a CV, I just know that with my Zephyr, I was able to program the address on a Athearns Challenger (tsunami), and 2 different Tsunami 750 sound decoders, and it worked, but every other CV, it didn't work, and I had to go to blast mode. Now it's a mute point with me, all programing is done with my PR3 Xtra and JMRI....

[chicken45]

I just changed the whistle on mine following the Opetrations Mode in the manual. I did not have to put it in Blast mode.
Thanks, all! This helped me, too.

[reinhardtjh]

When you program on the main, you are in effect using a blast mode because the current is not limited as on the programming track.  This lower power is the cause of problems with programming decoders with a more power hungry nature, such as sound decoders.  NMRA specs say the programming track is current limited in order to provide some protection against burning out a decoder - this is assuming that when you are programming you may have just installed the decoder and the possibility exists that an error may have been made and a short might exist.

It's generally considered risky to put a newly converted, but heretofore untested loco on the main for programming or use as a wiring problem will more likely result in a destroyed decoder (or worse - loco).

With a factory wired decoder the risk is less as it's assumed ( ) that the factory will have wired things correctly.