08-15-2010, 07:04 PM
Kevin, here is what you do. grab some spare track and electrically connect it to the "test track" terminals on the back of you Prodigy Express unit. using a separate track gurantees you won't accidentally reprograme something you don't want to.
Once you're hooked up, turn on the DCC system and hit the "program" button. Hit it until your throttle says "program track", then hit Enter.
keep hitting enter until the screen says "CV", at which time type in "8" then enter, and when it say CV data, hit "8" again, then enter. give the engine a moment, then remove it, and test it under the address of 3 on the layout. It should respond at that point. If not, check the decoder for burn marks. If it is, don't even bother replacing it, digitrax decoders are very Hit-or-miss, and for every person who has had good luck with them, there are three who have had their's fail right out of the package.
The prodigy express is also problematic, not only because it has limited functions as far as programming goes, but some functions, such as the "address" one also give trouble. While MRC claims it will do "all the programming for you", it doesn't, at least, it doesn't do it right. The only decoder i know that will take any address, long or short, from the Prodigy's Address function, is a TCS (Train Control Systems) brand decoder.
While on the note of TCS, TCS has a year-long "goof proof" no questions asked FREE warranty. Unlike Digitrax, who have horrible customer service and then charge you a repair fee, TCS will replace your decoder no matter what, including if you admittedly burned the decoder out yourself accidentally. TCS decoders are incredibly reliable, so you should never have to send one back anyway.
there is no "NMRA" standard for resetting the decoder (though CV8 to 8 is a common one). Some brands have different reset values, so ALWAYS check your decoder's instruction sheet, or at the very least, shoot the manufacturer an Email if you're not sure.
I like to use this online long/extended address calculator. its the first thing that shows up if you google "4 digit adreess"
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ruppweb.org/Xray/comp/decoder.htm">http://www.ruppweb.org/Xray/comp/decoder.htm</a><!-- m -->
this is also a good chart to print out. use the "Decimal" values, not the Hex unless the decoder instructions say otherwise.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/cv29-lookup.htm">http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/cv29-lookup.htm</a><!-- m -->
that should give you everything you need to program addresses.
Once you're hooked up, turn on the DCC system and hit the "program" button. Hit it until your throttle says "program track", then hit Enter.
keep hitting enter until the screen says "CV", at which time type in "8" then enter, and when it say CV data, hit "8" again, then enter. give the engine a moment, then remove it, and test it under the address of 3 on the layout. It should respond at that point. If not, check the decoder for burn marks. If it is, don't even bother replacing it, digitrax decoders are very Hit-or-miss, and for every person who has had good luck with them, there are three who have had their's fail right out of the package.
The prodigy express is also problematic, not only because it has limited functions as far as programming goes, but some functions, such as the "address" one also give trouble. While MRC claims it will do "all the programming for you", it doesn't, at least, it doesn't do it right. The only decoder i know that will take any address, long or short, from the Prodigy's Address function, is a TCS (Train Control Systems) brand decoder.
While on the note of TCS, TCS has a year-long "goof proof" no questions asked FREE warranty. Unlike Digitrax, who have horrible customer service and then charge you a repair fee, TCS will replace your decoder no matter what, including if you admittedly burned the decoder out yourself accidentally. TCS decoders are incredibly reliable, so you should never have to send one back anyway.
Steamtrains Wrote:I believe CV8 to 8 is an NMRA standard for a reset. Make sure no other locos are on the track, as you might end up doing a reset to all....
there is no "NMRA" standard for resetting the decoder (though CV8 to 8 is a common one). Some brands have different reset values, so ALWAYS check your decoder's instruction sheet, or at the very least, shoot the manufacturer an Email if you're not sure.
Charlie B Wrote:BLI has a program that is down-loadable to give you these values for different long addresses. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.broadway-limited.com/supportdocumentation.aspx">http://www.broadway-limited.com/support ... ation.aspx</a><!-- m -->
(it is right at the top of the page).
Charlie
I like to use this online long/extended address calculator. its the first thing that shows up if you google "4 digit adreess"
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ruppweb.org/Xray/comp/decoder.htm">http://www.ruppweb.org/Xray/comp/decoder.htm</a><!-- m -->
this is also a good chart to print out. use the "Decimal" values, not the Hex unless the decoder instructions say otherwise.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/cv29-lookup.htm">http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/cv29-lookup.htm</a><!-- m -->
that should give you everything you need to program addresses.
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