Very informative! I never really bothered to learn about cv29 and never understood why everyone would talk about it on the forums. Now I know since calculating it is a Digitrax thing. I never realized that my ProCab was taking the answers to all those questions and calculating the value of a single CV! I guess I always assumed each was a separate value.
I just discovered your video series and am very impressed with the content and level of detail you go into with them of the several I've watched. Instead of using the terms 2-digit and 4-digit, I prefer to use the terms SHORT and LONG because of the confusion that can be created because of the digital nature of the byte. I use NCE, so a short address can be either one, two, or three digits, 1-127, and a long address can be two to four digits, 01-0127 (with a leading zero to distinguish them from a short address) or 128-9999. Some other brands only allow short addresses from 1-99 and 100 and up are considered long addresses. Also in part 1 you were referring to programming CV1 to a value of 03 or 04 which to me is a long address since it has a leading zero on NCE systems. All decoders I've programmed manually through a Power or Pro Cab for an address of less than 128, I've always used a single leading zero to distinguish it as a long address. I look forward to watching the rest of the videos.
Larry, I just had to do a factory reset of the decoder on a recent purchased locomotive. The diesel was going the wrong direction from the factory and I had messed up the decoder settings when I was trying to correct the misdirection. The # on the loco is 31 so I was using a 2 digit address. I put in 8 in CV8 and reset the decoder. Digitrax recommended changing CV29 to 7. According to your table that I downloaded NDOT is reverse, 2 digit address, 28/128, and Analog conversion ON. My questions are: you seemed to recommend an AD4 rather than AD2. Should my # be0031 to make it AD2 or stay with the AD2? Also, On the analog conversion you recommended it to be OFF. Is that correct and should I used CV29=003? The analog conversion is confusing. What you recommended would be for it to be OFF? Thanks for the help.
I use 4 digit addresses because advanced consists are limited to addresses under 127 so using 4 digits leaves more for advanced consists. Analog conversion means the decoder will,operate on DC power. However if there is a short or power blip on the layout the decoder can become “confused” and assume it is on DC power. It will then provide full track power to the motor creating a runaway. Turning analog conversion off will prevent this. There is a handy table of CV29 values in the Digitrax decoder manual.
I understand your philosophy on the addresses. Would you then recommend that I use 0031 as a 4digit address? rather than a 2digit 31? On the chart that you presented with the CV 29 variables, you would recommend having the analog column say OFF.. Correct? Thanks.
If you plan to use advanced consists then yes avoid using 2/3 digit address but if it is only a few then you can just keep a record of them and avoid using the same consist address. Be aware that NCE command stations assign advanced consist address starting at 127 and work backwards. And yes it should be OFF.
Hello Larry! I've watched this video numerous times and appreciate your detailed explanations; I promise myself that I'm not gonna forget, but months later...I forget! When you say your going to post a link in the description area, I never seem to find it and before you know it, u-tube jumps to the next video before I have a chance to find the link. I don't know what you mean when you say the description area. Please excuse my ignorance, ( I blame it on my age 81), thanks
Every video has a written description which can be accessed in different ways depending on which device you are using. Do a search for a video on descriptions to see how to do that.
The folks over at TCS told me to operate on DC and DCC 1) One time only ADD 4 to CV29. 2) Decoder switches automatically when it see DC it runs on DC when it sees DCC it runs on DCC. So, if my value for CV29 is 34, add 4 to make it 38, which lines up with what I want it to do according to your table. Is that correct? Then, that's it? Do I ever need to adjust CV29 to go back and forth between DC and DCC layouts?
Yes, that is called analog conversion. I do not recommend leaving decoders set for that because a short on your layout can confuse the decoder into thinking it is running on DC and send full track,power to your motor leading to runaways.
And if a short happened while on the DC layout, would anything happen in that situation? (the locomotive is going to be mostly used on a DC layout and make the occasional run on the DCC layout and it's already been converted to DCC)
On a DC layout it won’t matter since you don’t have about 13-15V on the track all the time as you do with DCC. And you control loco speed with a throttle so can just dial down to 0V.
Hey Larry, Thank you again for your well done description of using CV 29 with value 34 and 35 for long addresses. I hope I understood it well? You are in programming mode to write the decoder's CV of CV 29 and typing the value of 34 to it, so the loco's decoder will understand long Addresses of 4 digits? Well where do I programming now the 4 digit loco address maybe as example for my ,,Wittfeld" Akkumulator Railcar AT3/08-1 => 3081 as decoder address, do I write the Address 3081 into CV 1 or into CV 29? Another important question is how do I find out the forward or reverse direction for 21 pin plugs when leading it into a locomotive and using it later with a digitrax or esu sound decoder as example what will be plugged into it later?
The 3&4 digit addresses are stored in CVs 17 & 18 and it is a complex method so most DCC systems do the calculations for you in their microprocessors. So get out your DCC system manual and look up 3&4 digit address programming. Of course if you have DecoderPro you just enter the address in the address field and hit the write button. It is pretty much the same if you have a LokSound decoder and their program and programmer device.
Thanks for the information , I’m pretty new to this but having an issue with the 4 digit address. I’m using a Digitrax DCS52 and have tried programming several of my SD40 and SD70 engines to their 4 digit loco number with no luck. I can program using 2 digit with no issues. I have CV29 set to 34 and every time I write it accepts. As soon as I set the loco on the track and entered the loco number it says - adr. Busy (in red) 128 I have pressed yes to steal it (of which I’ve never done a consist so I’m not sure why it asks). Still no luck, for now I just program them to their last 2 digits. Any help would be appreciated .
What addresses are you trying to use? The DCS52 supports 0128-9983 as 4-digit addresses. Also what decoders are you using? At any rate do you know anyone else with a DCC system you can use to test program the decoders?
@@TheDCCGuy I’m trying to use loco address 778, 779 , and 8129. CV8 reads 141 for 778 and 779 and 151 for 8129. 141 is soundtraxx , I’ve downloaded their programming guide which suggest setting CV29 to 34. Would changing CV1 to 0 help? The error I always get is “ adr. Busy/ 128. I feel it is a CV issue. I’m using a new digitrax DCS52 , last software update is December of 2022. It’s not priority that I need 4 digit addressing but it something I would like to figure out. I have no other local support to try and use another digitrax to program, however I do have a DT602D coming in soon, maybe I can program linh addresses with it?. I’m very new to all this CV programming, very sharp learning curve.
I can’t think of a reason it should not be working so you probably need to get onto the Digitrax website and submit a tech support request. Maybe they have an answer or maybe it needs a trip back to the factory.
How do I program my locomotives so that the horn automatically blows twice when I put it in FWD and 3 times when put in Reverse and does not start moving until the horn is finished
@@williamarquett5948 None of my BLI locos do that so it must be something they specifically built into those decoders. Your best bet is to contact BLI tech support and see if they know.
Talking about CV2. In order to start moving my loco I need to crank the thumb throttle to the mid 50’s before the loco begins to move. It is an older GP35 DC that I converted to DCC. Is it the age of the motor or is there something else I can try through the decoder? Changing the value of CV2 doesn’t seem to make a difference. Is there a max value that I should not go over? I should also mention the sound of the engine through the speaker, sounds like it is doing a million miles an hour but to scale it is maybe doing 20 miles an hour. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Thanks Larry for the quick response. The decoder is from XL systems inc. a ho drop in DCC Diesel Sound decoder item #0001915. And the loco is an older Athearn Flywheel Drive GP35 Diesel Road Switcher. (The very first loco I purchased as a child many years ago. So it has sentimental value to me). It run smooth in DC so was excited to up grade it to DCC with sound. In DCC it runs jerky so I am waiting for components to add your stay alive capacitor to the unit. But it frustrates me that I have to run it the way I do.
I’ve long wondered why for instance a gp9 locomotive had a F on the short hood (U.P. )Since some railroads run/ran their locomotives long-hood forward would the F be on the opposite end? I hope this makes sense.
Yes, the F is on the end designated as front or forward end. Let me give you an example of this. On the Southern Railway the short hood end of their GP7s was designated as the front. However on their ALCO RS2&3 locos the long hood was the front end. Some have speculated this type of decision in the early years was due to visibility. But once you wire the decoder in properly you can use CV29 to designate one end or the other as front. From a wiring perspective the standard is that when properly wired for DC power the loco will move in the forward direction when a positive current is applied to the right rail.
Where do you find ops-mode 6424(?) 0003 on a Digitrax DCS52 ? Do you have to do this on program track or mainline? Do you do this on 'Quick decoder'(then fill in AD4 long address & some # onCv29) or on PO mainline or PO prg trk Or what ??? I've tried on Cv 29 -#'s 50,54,34 and what ever it decided . I've set cv 17 & 18 to the correct numbers according to online calculator and took countless pot shots on a Cv29 it might like. I've un plugged the controller at various times after inputs. I can't even get it to take a 2-digit address without loosing my headlights. All I do is set 8 to Cv8 on program track(only works on program track). to start over again, and again, and again and again when I can get it back on address 0003. 'Lord knows where it is when it won't respond to 0003 or your chosen address'. It won't take a 2 or 4-digit address. I guess I just run one train at a time on 0003. At least they all work that way.
Ok, I am not exactly sure what you are asking but you obviously need to start over with their manual and go stepwise through the process for acquiring an address and running a loco. Then work up to creating universal then much later advanced consists. I suggest sitting down with the DCS52, a piece of flextrack, and a decoder equipped loco and do each step as they describe it. Take it step by step and if it gets confusing stop for a while then go back to it. Now you also cannot rule out a defective unit but until you go through the process you cannot tell. If you can operate a TV remote you can do this, just don’t jump around or ahead.
I also noticed that on the Digitrax UA-cam channel they have a number of how to videos on using this particular command station so you might take a look there. I have an old DCS50 which should operates pretty much the same so if you get stuck I’ll dig it out and see what else I can do to get you moving along.
@@TheDCCGuy I was asking the subject of the vid, setting long addresses. After hours & hours & hours on the Dcs52 & web and entering #8 into Cv8, a utube creator said to enter (calculated) values into cv 17 &18 first (!). Then #38 in cv29. Now I have a working 'long addressed engine! _ Of course now that I go back and Read Cv29 on 'Direct to Prg. Trk.' it shows a value of 34 !!!!!! WTH?! .... So programming (in 2020 no less) is just 'throw it against the wall and see what sticks' !!!
I just looked at the DCS52 manual and it confused me so I think I understand your frustration! Let me try to offer a little help but again you should use a step by step approach to learning how to use this system. First ops mode is a form of programming done on the mainline. With most Digitrax systems you have the loco address you want to program active on the throttle. Then you enter ops mode programming and it should display the loco address and you are ready to start programming different CVs. If you enter a consist address in CV19 then the loco will respond to that address instead of the address you have been using for it. Do this to 2 or 3 locos and they all will respond to the new consist address. To break up the consist all you have to do is reprogram CV19 to a value of 0, and each loco will then respond to its original address. This gets more complicated when you want to start customizing how each loco responds to the consist address. I use DecoderPro to do this because it greatly simplifies the process-it becomes a click and choose then program operation, with no calculating the CV values. I suggest that instead of trying to use advanced consists start first with universal consists and once you have that figured out then work up to advanced. Learn to crawl before you try walking. I am planning a step by step video on universal and advanced consisting.
Hello - very helpful video. One problem though: the link above for the table you showed comes back as an invalid link - there is no .jpg file there with that name. Can you provide an alternate link? Thanks!
That video,is kind of old and the website I linked to is no longer valid. I’ll try to get it changed to a different one this week so check back in a couple of days.
Hi Larry. I'm new to model railroading and value your videos. I would like to view and print the 'Digitrax' CV-29 table. I've tried the link but the image does not load. Can you help? Thanks
Had to dig out my DT500 to put in a long address for a new loco. Could not figure it out with the new DT602. I find digitrax so frustratingly over complicated. should have stuck to NCE. why did i change? I wanted the 2 throttles on the one controller.
Once I saw that table from the manual, I had the same question as Gene. When you look at that Digitrax manual page 38, the only difference between values 34/35 and 50/51 are that values 50/51 show the words "speed table" after 28/128. I could not find anything that explains the real world difference. As a test, on my Digitrax DCS52 using the quick decoder setup, it calculated a CV29 value of 50 instead of 34 when I put in the 4 parameters (4 digit address, normal direction, 28/128 speed table, and analog conversion off. I then went into JMRI Decoder Pro, put in the same info on the Basic tab, and it calculated a value of 50 for CV29. Maybe the only differences between them have to do with the other bits of CV29 that no one uses.
@@chrism7894 thanks for taking the time to try and figure this out. Maybe we'll never know what the difference really is. It could be something "under the covers" that won't affect us.
I really appreciate this video! I changed the codes on my loco to the point that it now is not recognized by the command station. The ESU decoder isn't being recognized. I wonder how to reset.
On my DCS52 I have followed you steps but on cv 3 trying to read cv data up comes no decoder ACK pulse I do not understand and also trying to use cv 8 and enter value 8 same message but each time I push cv number loco responds at about 25% speed for about 3-4 seconds any clues?
What kind of decoder are you using? Are you using the service mode programming track? Have you checked all the suggested fixes on page 28 of the manual?
Many thanks your prompt reply as I am ‘down under’i thought you would be sleeping now 1 loco was purchased second hand and no documentation was included so don’t now breed of decoder as no identification on actual decoder plug in board.2 as far as I understand I have followed all steps on page 28 3 I am using option 3 on cv program mode ie 3-Pg;Prg Trk .Hope this clarifies my earlier comments
Ok, it might be the fact you are using paged mode. This is an old mode that was used in a lot of decoders 20 years or so ago. Most newer decoders do best with direct mode. Try using option 2 direct mode.
Many thanks for your help but using option 2 as you suggested gives same response ‘No decoder ACK pulse’ obviously I have a faulty decoder .i will procure a 8 pin decoder and this time might include sound as well
Sorry I couldn’t give you an answer on that one. Often a reset will do wonders but it sound like yours won’t even do that. Check the wires on the plug to make sure none are broken.
Many thanks for prompt reply as I am down under I thought you would be still sleeping 1 loco was purchased second hand and no documentation was included 2 as far as I understand I have followed all steps on page 28 3 I am using option 3 on cv program mode ie 3-Pg; Paged on Prg Trk
Is there a good PDF (or Word) available of CVs and their functions? Ideally, I'm looking for one in table form. I looked on the Digitrax site without success. But, then again, I can't find a can of soup in the pantry.
CV 29 is no longer a mistery thanks for clearing up my questions on this CV. I do have a question I have a locomotive decoder that goes on it's own once the programming track has power, it is a digitrax decoder. any suggestions?
Will-Do you have analog conversion turned off? Does it work OK on the main track after programming it? And what do you mean by “goes on it’s own”? Also does this happen only when you switch the programming track from programming to full track power-I a assuming you have a DPDT switch to go between track power and programming?
In order to be part of the UA-cam partners program and have full access to all features and monetization you have to reach 1000 subscribers and have accumulated 4000 hours of view time in the past 365 days. I am on the glide path to the 4000 hours and if folks keep subscribing at the current rate will reach 1000 subscribers by the end of 2019. It is all sort of like a snowball rolling downhill since as you gain more subscribers and view time, UA-cam is more likely to recommend your videos to other UA-cam viewers, which in turn increases your view time and likelihood of getting more subscribers, and so on. I have found that if I don’t ask viewers to subscribe they won’t think to do it, so it pays to ask. UA-cam is not something most creators make any real money with. They pay about $1-2 per thousand views, so a channel with 1,000,000 views is only earning about $1000-2000 per year. That might pay for a new video camera or professional level microphone, new video processing software, etc. Obviously you’re not going to live off it so you had better be doing this because you enjoy doing it.
I’ll be uploading one on converting a Stewart/Bowser F3A unit on Monday of next week. It will be a companion to my article on the same subject in my DCC Corner column in the January 2020 Model Railroader.
Another priceless discussion of a DCC topic. Very well done.
Very informative! I never really bothered to learn about cv29 and never understood why everyone would talk about it on the forums. Now I know since calculating it is a Digitrax thing. I never realized that my ProCab was taking the answers to all those questions and calculating the value of a single CV! I guess I always assumed each was a separate value.
Great presentation Larry. The document you provided looks easy to use.
I just discovered your video series and am very impressed with the content and level of detail you go into with them of the several I've watched.
Instead of using the terms 2-digit and 4-digit, I prefer to use the terms SHORT and LONG because of the confusion that can be created because of the digital nature of the byte. I use NCE, so a short address can be either one, two, or three digits, 1-127, and a long address can be two to four digits, 01-0127 (with a leading zero to distinguish them from a short address) or 128-9999. Some other brands only allow short addresses from 1-99 and 100 and up are considered long addresses.
Also in part 1 you were referring to programming CV1 to a value of 03 or 04 which to me is a long address since it has a leading zero on NCE systems. All decoders I've programmed manually through a Power or Pro Cab for an address of less than 128, I've always used a single leading zero to distinguish it as a long address.
I look forward to watching the rest of the videos.
Larry, I just had to do a factory reset of the decoder on a recent purchased locomotive. The diesel was going the wrong direction from the factory and I had messed up the decoder settings when I was trying to correct the misdirection. The # on the loco is 31 so I was using a 2 digit address. I put in 8 in CV8 and reset the decoder. Digitrax recommended changing CV29 to 7. According to your table that I downloaded NDOT is reverse, 2 digit address, 28/128, and Analog conversion ON. My questions are: you seemed to recommend an AD4 rather than AD2. Should my # be0031 to make it AD2 or stay with the AD2? Also, On the analog conversion you recommended it to be OFF. Is that correct and should I used CV29=003? The analog conversion is confusing. What you recommended would be for it to be OFF? Thanks for the help.
I use 4 digit addresses because advanced consists are limited to addresses under 127 so using 4 digits leaves more for advanced consists. Analog conversion means the decoder will,operate on DC power. However if there is a short or power blip on the layout the decoder can become “confused” and assume it is on DC power. It will then provide full track power to the motor creating a runaway. Turning analog conversion off will prevent this. There is a handy table of CV29 values in the Digitrax decoder manual.
A perfect topic! Where were you 20 years ago! Keep the videos coming.
Twenty years ago I was writing the DCC Update column in Model Railroading magazine. I’ve been writing about this stuff since 1994!
I understand your philosophy on the addresses. Would you then recommend that I use 0031 as a 4digit address? rather than a 2digit 31? On the chart that you presented with the CV 29 variables, you would recommend having the analog column say OFF.. Correct? Thanks.
If you plan to use advanced consists then yes avoid using 2/3 digit address but if it is only a few then you can just keep a record of them and avoid using the same consist address. Be aware that NCE command stations assign advanced consist address starting at 127 and work backwards. And yes it should be OFF.
Hello Larry! I've watched this video numerous times and appreciate your detailed explanations; I promise myself that I'm not gonna forget, but months later...I forget! When you say your going to post a link in the description area, I never seem to find it and before you know it, u-tube jumps to the next video before I have a chance to find the link. I don't know what you mean when you say the description area. Please excuse my ignorance, ( I blame it on my age 81), thanks
Every video has a written description which can be accessed in different ways depending on which device you are using. Do a search for a video on descriptions to see how to do that.
The folks over at TCS told me to operate on DC and DCC
1) One time only ADD 4 to CV29.
2) Decoder switches automatically when it see DC it runs on DC when it sees DCC it runs on DCC.
So, if my value for CV29 is 34, add 4 to make it 38, which lines up with what I want it to do according to your table. Is that correct?
Then, that's it? Do I ever need to adjust CV29 to go back and forth between DC and DCC layouts?
Yes, that is called analog conversion. I do not recommend leaving decoders set for that because a short on your layout can confuse the decoder into thinking it is running on DC and send full track,power to your motor leading to runaways.
And if a short happened while on the DC layout, would anything happen in that situation? (the locomotive is going to be mostly used on a DC layout and make the occasional run on the DCC layout and it's already been converted to DCC)
On a DC layout it won’t matter since you don’t have about 13-15V on the track all the time as you do with DCC. And you control loco speed with a throttle so can just dial down to 0V.
Thanks for the information!
Hey Larry,
Thank you again for your well done description of using CV 29 with value 34 and 35 for long addresses.
I hope I understood it well?
You are in programming mode to write the decoder's CV of CV 29 and typing the value of 34 to it, so the loco's decoder will understand long Addresses of 4 digits?
Well where do I programming now the 4 digit loco address maybe as example for my ,,Wittfeld" Akkumulator Railcar AT3/08-1 => 3081 as decoder address, do I write the Address 3081 into CV 1 or into CV 29?
Another important question is how do I find out the forward or reverse direction for 21 pin plugs when leading it into a locomotive and using it later with a digitrax or esu sound decoder as example what will be plugged into it later?
The 3&4 digit addresses are stored in CVs 17 & 18 and it is a complex method so most DCC systems do the calculations for you in their microprocessors. So get out your DCC system manual and look up 3&4 digit address programming. Of course if you have DecoderPro you just enter the address in the address field and hit the write button. It is pretty much the same if you have a LokSound decoder and their program and programmer device.
Great information Thank You
Thanks for the information , I’m pretty new to this but having an issue with the 4 digit address. I’m using a Digitrax DCS52 and have tried programming several of my SD40 and SD70 engines to their 4 digit loco number with no luck. I can program using 2 digit with no issues. I have CV29 set to 34 and every time I write it accepts. As soon as I set the loco on the track and entered the loco number it says - adr. Busy (in red) 128
I have pressed yes to steal it (of which I’ve never done a consist so I’m not sure why it asks).
Still no luck, for now I just program them to their last 2 digits. Any help would be appreciated .
What addresses are you trying to use? The DCS52 supports 0128-9983 as 4-digit addresses. Also what decoders are you using? At any rate do you know anyone else with a DCC system you can use to test program the decoders?
@@TheDCCGuy I’m trying to use loco address 778, 779 , and 8129. CV8 reads 141 for 778 and 779 and 151 for 8129. 141 is soundtraxx , I’ve downloaded their programming guide which suggest setting CV29 to 34.
Would changing CV1 to 0 help? The error I always get is “ adr. Busy/ 128.
I feel it is a CV issue. I’m using a new digitrax DCS52 , last software update is December of 2022. It’s not priority that I need 4 digit addressing but it something I would like to figure out. I have no other local support to try and use another digitrax to program, however I do have a DT602D coming in soon, maybe I can program linh addresses with it?.
I’m very new to all this CV programming, very sharp learning curve.
I can’t think of a reason it should not be working so you probably need to get onto the Digitrax website and submit a tech support request. Maybe they have an answer or maybe it needs a trip back to the factory.
How do I program my locomotives so that the horn automatically blows twice when I put it in FWD and 3 times when put in Reverse and does not start moving until the horn is finished
I don’t know of any decoders that offer that option.
I have 2 locomotives that do this but I don’t know which CV’s control it. They are Broadway Limited
@@williamarquett5948 None of my BLI locos do that so it must be something they specifically built into those decoders. Your best bet is to contact BLI tech support and see if they know.
@@TheDCCGuy It is CV 198
Talking about CV2. In order to start moving my loco I need to crank the thumb throttle to the mid 50’s before the loco begins to move. It is an older GP35 DC that I converted to DCC. Is it the age of the motor or is there something else I can try through the decoder? Changing the value of CV2 doesn’t seem to make a difference. Is there a max value that I should not go over? I should also mention the sound of the engine through the speaker, sounds like it is doing a million miles an hour but to scale it is maybe doing 20 miles an hour. Any thoughts? Thanks.
What decoder and what make model? Some older models have horrible motors and some like Kato should be great. Also check your CV3 setting.
Thanks Larry for the quick response. The decoder is from XL systems inc. a ho drop in DCC Diesel Sound decoder item #0001915. And the loco is an older Athearn Flywheel Drive GP35 Diesel Road Switcher. (The very first loco I purchased as a child many years ago. So it has sentimental value to me). It run smooth in DC so was excited to up grade it to DCC with sound. In DCC it runs jerky so I am waiting for components to add your stay alive capacitor to the unit. But it frustrates me that I have to run it the way I do.
I’ve long wondered why for instance a gp9 locomotive had a F on the short hood (U.P. )Since some railroads run/ran their locomotives long-hood forward would the F be on the opposite end? I hope this makes sense.
Yes, the F is on the end designated as front or forward end. Let me give you an example of this. On the Southern Railway the short hood end of their GP7s was designated as the front. However on their ALCO RS2&3 locos the long hood was the front end. Some have speculated this type of decision in the early years was due to visibility. But once you wire the decoder in properly you can use CV29 to designate one end or the other as front. From a wiring perspective the standard is that when properly wired for DC power the loco will move in the forward direction when a positive current is applied to the right rail.
Where do you find ops-mode 6424(?) 0003 on a Digitrax DCS52 ? Do you have to do this on program track or mainline? Do you do this on 'Quick decoder'(then fill in AD4 long address & some # onCv29) or on PO mainline or PO prg trk Or what ??? I've tried on Cv 29 -#'s 50,54,34 and what ever it decided . I've set cv 17 & 18 to the correct numbers according to online calculator and took countless pot shots on a Cv29 it might like. I've un plugged the controller at various times after inputs. I can't even get it to take a 2-digit address without loosing my headlights. All I do is set 8 to Cv8 on program track(only works on program track). to start over again, and again, and again and again when I can get it back on address 0003. 'Lord knows where it is when it won't respond to 0003 or your chosen address'. It won't take a 2 or 4-digit address. I guess I just run one train at a time on 0003. At least they all work that way.
Ok, I am not exactly sure what you are asking but you obviously need to start over with their manual and go stepwise through the process for acquiring an address and running a loco. Then work up to creating universal then much later advanced consists. I suggest sitting down with the DCS52, a piece of flextrack, and a decoder equipped loco and do each step as they describe it. Take it step by step and if it gets confusing stop for a while then go back to it. Now you also cannot rule out a defective unit but until you go through the process you cannot tell. If you can operate a TV remote you can do this, just don’t jump around or ahead.
I also noticed that on the Digitrax UA-cam channel they have a number of how to videos on using this particular command station so you might take a look there. I have an old DCS50 which should operates pretty much the same so if you get stuck I’ll dig it out and see what else I can do to get you moving along.
@@TheDCCGuy I was asking the subject of the vid, setting long addresses. After hours & hours & hours on the Dcs52 & web and entering #8 into Cv8, a utube creator said to enter (calculated) values into cv 17 &18 first (!). Then #38 in cv29. Now I have a working 'long addressed engine! _ Of course now that I go back and Read Cv29 on 'Direct to Prg. Trk.' it shows a value of 34 !!!!!! WTH?! .... So programming (in 2020 no less) is just 'throw it against the wall and see what sticks' !!!
I just looked at the DCS52 manual and it confused me so I think I understand your frustration! Let me try to offer a little help but again you should use a step by step approach to learning how to use this system. First ops mode is a form of programming done on the mainline. With most Digitrax systems you have the loco address you want to program active on the throttle. Then you enter ops mode programming and it should display the loco address and you are ready to start programming different CVs. If you enter a consist address in CV19 then the loco will respond to that address instead of the address you have been using for it. Do this to 2 or 3 locos and they all will respond to the new consist address. To break up the consist all you have to do is reprogram CV19 to a value of 0, and each loco will then respond to its original address. This gets more complicated when you want to start customizing how each loco responds to the consist address. I use DecoderPro to do this because it greatly simplifies the process-it becomes a click and choose then program operation, with no calculating the CV values. I suggest that instead of trying to use advanced consists start first with universal consists and once you have that figured out then work up to advanced. Learn to crawl before you try walking. I am planning a step by step video on universal and advanced consisting.
Hello - very helpful video. One problem though: the link above for the table you showed comes back as an invalid link - there is no .jpg file there with that name. Can you provide an alternate link? Thanks!
That video,is kind of old and the website I linked to is no longer valid. I’ll try to get it changed to a different one this week so check back in a couple of days.
@@TheDCCGuy Thank you!
Hi Larry. I'm new to model railroading and value your videos. I would like to view and print the 'Digitrax' CV-29 table. I've tried the link but the image does not load. Can you help? Thanks
Had to dig out my DT500 to put in a long address for a new loco. Could not figure it out with the new DT602. I find digitrax so frustratingly over complicated. should have stuck to NCE. why did i change? I wanted the 2 throttles on the one controller.
What is the difference between CV29 settings 34 & 35 and 50 & 51? Thanks for all your very informative videos.
They are the same except for determining forward or revers direction. There is a table on p. 39 of the Digitrax decoder manual free on their website.
@@TheDCCGuy yes but 34 and 50 are for the same direction as are 35 and 51 ???
Go here and download or open the manual. Read page 38.
www.digitrax.com/static/apps/cms/media/documents/documentation/Decoder_Manual_V2-01_2014.pdf
Once I saw that table from the manual, I had the same question as Gene. When you look at that Digitrax manual page 38, the only difference between values 34/35 and 50/51 are that values 50/51 show the words "speed table" after 28/128. I could not find anything that explains the real world difference. As a test, on my Digitrax DCS52 using the quick decoder setup, it calculated a CV29 value of 50 instead of 34 when I put in the 4 parameters (4 digit address, normal direction, 28/128 speed table, and analog conversion off. I then went into JMRI Decoder Pro, put in the same info on the Basic tab, and it calculated a value of 50 for CV29. Maybe the only differences between them have to do with the other bits of CV29 that no one uses.
@@chrism7894 thanks for taking the time to try and figure this out. Maybe we'll never know what the difference really is. It could be something "under the covers" that won't affect us.
I really appreciate this video! I changed the codes on my loco to the point that it now is not recognized by the command station. The ESU decoder isn't being recognized. I wonder how to reset.
Try setting CV8 to a value of 8, that is the most common combination in decoders currently.
On my DCS52 I have followed you steps but on cv 3 trying to read cv data up comes no decoder ACK pulse I do not understand and also trying to use cv 8 and enter value 8 same message but each time I push cv number loco responds at about 25% speed for about 3-4 seconds any clues?
What kind of decoder are you using? Are you using the service mode programming track? Have you checked all the suggested fixes on page 28 of the manual?
Many thanks your prompt reply as I am ‘down under’i thought you would be sleeping now 1 loco was purchased second hand and no documentation was included so don’t now breed of decoder as no identification on actual decoder plug in board.2 as far as I understand I have followed all steps on page 28 3 I am using option 3 on cv program mode ie 3-Pg;Prg Trk .Hope this clarifies my earlier comments
Ok, it might be the fact you are using paged mode. This is an old mode that was used in a lot of decoders 20 years or so ago. Most newer decoders do best with direct mode. Try using option 2 direct mode.
Many thanks for your help but using option 2 as you suggested gives same response ‘No decoder ACK pulse’ obviously I have a faulty decoder .i will procure a 8 pin decoder and this time might include sound as well
Sorry I couldn’t give you an answer on that one. Often a reset will do wonders but it sound like yours won’t even do that. Check the wires on the plug to make sure none are broken.
Many thanks for prompt reply as I am down under I thought you would be still sleeping 1 loco was purchased second hand and no documentation was included 2 as far as I understand I have followed all steps on page 28 3 I am using option 3 on cv program mode ie 3-Pg; Paged on Prg Trk
Is there a good PDF (or Word) available of CVs and their functions? Ideally, I'm looking for one in table form. I looked on the Digitrax site without success. But, then again, I can't find a can of soup in the pantry.
Check the NMRA website under "Standards" S-9.2
There also might be something on the DCC Wiki site but as Roger said the NMRA S&RP site is the best bet.
CV 29 is no longer a mistery thanks for clearing up my questions on this CV. I do have a question I have a locomotive decoder that goes on it's own once the programming track has power, it is a digitrax decoder. any suggestions?
Will-Do you have analog conversion turned off? Does it work OK on the main track after programming it? And what do you mean by “goes on it’s own”? Also does this happen only when you switch the programming track from programming to full track power-I a assuming you have a DPDT switch to go between track power and programming?
I’ve already subscribe. But just curious why 1000 subscribers is a important mark to get to you.
In order to be part of the UA-cam partners program and have full access to all features and monetization you have to reach 1000 subscribers and have accumulated 4000 hours of view time in the past 365 days. I am on the glide path to the 4000 hours and if folks keep subscribing at the current rate will reach 1000 subscribers by the end of 2019. It is all sort of like a snowball rolling downhill since as you gain more subscribers and view time, UA-cam is more likely to recommend your videos to other UA-cam viewers, which in turn increases your view time and likelihood of getting more subscribers, and so on. I have found that if I don’t ask viewers to subscribe they won’t think to do it, so it pays to ask. UA-cam is not something most creators make any real money with. They pay about $1-2 per thousand views, so a channel with 1,000,000 views is only earning about $1000-2000 per year. That might pay for a new video camera or professional level microphone, new video processing software, etc. Obviously you’re not going to live off it so you had better be doing this because you enjoy doing it.
The DCC Guy thank you for replying to all my questions. It shows you are interested in your viewers.
I started my ddc train ,I have put my address for train to work
Do you have any videos explaining how to convert a nonDCC locomotive to DCC?
I’ll be uploading one on converting a Stewart/Bowser F3A unit on Monday of next week. It will be a companion to my article on the same subject in my DCC Corner column in the January 2020 Model Railroader.