Hooking up programing track to Digitrax Zephyr

[OldEastRR]

How is this done? I've tried hooking up a separate track section to the "programing" leads on the pack but it says there's no decoder or no read of any loco I put on the track. This even for locos which were running normally on the main.  Is there a sequence of buttons to activate this system? Or does there have to be special wiring w/ resistors, etc in the hook-up wire?

[mu26aeh]

Nothing special required.  One wire to each of the screws marked PROG A and PROG B, connected to rails of programming track.  Select which programming mode you want to use by cycling thru the options on the Zephyr and should be good to go.  Double check to make sure you are using PROG A and B, as these two screws are separated by the Ground screw.

[jpwisc]

I had to add a resistor to my programming track so my Zephyr would read some non-Digitrax decoders. It has a real tough time with MRC decoders, so for those I use it in Blast mode (how is explained in the manual).

[peteski]

I know that I'm going to get flack, but I'm speaking the truth. Here it goes. 


For you of all the people to run DCC, Digitrax is probably the worse choice you could have made. I am a computer geek and even I find the Digitrax human interface extremely non-intuitive and convoluted). Manuals are also terrible.  Maybe that is why you are having such a dislike of DCC?

Too bad that you didn't choose another DCC system which can which "talks" to you in plain English (not the gibberish shown on a 7-segment numerical LED display from the 1970s), and a system with easy to understand manuals.  NCE is one of those more user-friendly systems and the Power Cab (a complete DCC system) can be had for less than $150.

[peteski]

Yup, the flogging has already started (even though I presented factual info from my first-hand experiences). 

[mu26aeh]

I won't flog you Pete.  I chose Digitrax because it's what others around me had, other than a couple with Lenz system.  I agree, it can be/is very difficult to understand much of the manual and usually have to re-read things before you start to understand how something works.  At least I have others around me though that have gone thru similar issues, or if not, we can all learn together. 

[Mike C]

Fixed it for you Pete    Yes the NCE system is much easier to use .

[John]

Yup, the flogging has already started (even though I presented factual info from my first-hand experiences). 

where in this thread are you being flogged?

[peteski]

where in this thread are you being flogged?

I don't know of you can see the history of votes on that post, but if you can, it was down-voted few minutes after I posted it. Then others came along and "fixed" that.  What gets my knickers in the twist is that people down-vote posts simply because they do to agree with the contents of the post (even if the info is factual). I guess they migth not realize that this is not FB and "like/dislike" button. I suppose that it could have been an unintentional vote, but I doubt it.

[John]

I don't know of you can see the history of votes on that post, but if you can, it was down-voted few minutes after I posted it. Then others came along and "fixed" that.  What gets my knickers in the twist is that people down-vote posts simply because they do to agree with the contents of the post (even if the info is factual). I guess they migth not realize that this is not FB and "like/dislike" button. I suppose that it could have been an unintentional vote, but I doubt it.

I don't pay attention to that +/ - stuff .. so I missed it .. oh well ..   

[peteski]

I don't pay attention to that +/ - stuff .. so I missed it .. oh well ..

You guys (moderators) enabled that feature and now you don't pay attention?   
The flogging continues . . . 

Just in case it is not clear - this is is meant as humor on my part.

[OldEastRR]

I'm not a fan of DT but I was lent a pack to get started in DCC. When I get enough spare cash I'll go to NCE, which I decided is the best for me. But still ... why doesn't the Zephyr like my programming track? I've tested the wires from it to the pack and current flows. It used to read the track but that lasted only a short time. Which is why I'm wondering if there's some sort of disable code I accidentally punched in while trying to read the manual at the same time.
The decoder destruction/malfunction occurs in hard-wired decoders -- one of which I did and one of which I bought a loco already done by somebody else. And of course the MRC drop-in that blew up because it wanted to. So I'm still willing to give DCC a chance but it's been a rocky road so far. Actually I have a RS-3 hardwired with a split-board for the "classic" locos and that works too. Funny, Bachmann factory-installed ones still work, even tho I cut-down and removed components (that anti-TV stuff) from both.
This is why I wish somebody would make a DCC-ready FA2, so I don't have to chance hardwiring mine.

[mmyers]

After double checking to see if you have the program track connected to the Prog A and Prog B terminals, make sure you are using the right programming mode. You want to press the "Program" button. (that's a very unintuitive label to use for it isn't it?).
Each time you press the button the program mode will change.
You want Page mode (Pg) or Direct mode (Pd). These two work on the programming track. Ph is for regester mode programming which is a very antiquated program method but will work if you have a very antique decoder such as an original MRC POS.
"Po" is for operations mode programming which only works on the main line. There is no read back available on the main. BTW, even NCE can't read back on the main.

Martin Myers

[Kentuckian]

Too bad that you didn't choose another DCC system which can which "talks" to you in plain English (not the gibberish shown on a 7-segment numerical LED display from the 1970s), and a system with easy to understand manuals.  NCE is one of those more user-friendly systems and the Power Cab (a complete DCC system) can be had for less than $150.

This. Whoever lent you this system is not your friend, sorry. Why waste time and effort if you know you are not going to use Digitrax in the future? It took me a day or two also to save the nickels for an NCE starter system, but I finally did it and I am pleased. Now I am looking to step up in a year or two I hope.

Give it back. Use DC until you can get an NCE system.

[John]

This. Whoever lent you this system is not your friend, sorry. Why waste time and effort if you know you are not going to use Digitrax in the future? It took me a day or two also to save the nickels for an NCE starter system, but I finally did it and I am pleased. Now I am looking to step up in a year or two I hope.

Give it back. Use DC until you can get an NCE system.

I'm going to disagree .. he has a great friend that's getting him into DCC .. He's learning how to install decoder, basic DCC terminology, and a different way of looking at running model trains .. just because he isn't using YOUR and Peteski's preffered systems, doesnt make it wrong.   Digitrax isn't for everyone .. but it's very capable as a total system (rather than just command station or throttle) ...

I drive a Toyota .. other people drive Fords .. same difference .. they all have 4 wheels, engine, and a body .. but none of them have the exact same controls on the dash .. or the same seats, horsepower, etc .. get what's comfortable to you .. but by all means, go DCC