. . .

What does the DCS50 display when you try and program the engine ?

What value is returned on a CV7 and CV8 query ?  should help determine the exact reset CV and value.

Could the decoder have been locked at some point ? 

Marc

Are we sure...

Dear Steve,

Given that, based on the boxes and known model production info, these locos are "DCC _Ready_" (IE Ready to have a DCC decoder plugged-in by the End User),

_Not_ "DCC Equipped" (NO DCC decoder installed by default ex-factory)

are we sure you're not trying to reprogram a pair of currently _analog operation_ locos?

You mention it's been some time since you last "messed with" (had the shell open?) these locos. "Horizon Hobbies era" Ath "DCC Ready" locos do indeed have a pluggable 9-pin "dummy plug" jumper installed to allow analog operation...

...which would had-to have been removed when you installed the decoder in each loco... 

If reading CV8 and CV7 returns a "null" or "indeterminate" value, I'd be recommending getting the shell off and getting-eyes-on what the actual decoder situation is... 

Happy Modelling,

Aim to Improve,

Prof Klyzlr 

Thanks guys for the fast replys

@  prof - it runs fine on DCC with the address of 12.   If I recall it has an early TCS decoder in it - I'll check it tonight

@ Marc  When I do the reset of CV8 to 8 it flashes that it is 008 like it took it.   The CV RD shows 008 for CV8 and CV7 comes back as 049 which should be correct for CV7 if I recall correctly

Steve

Why reset?

Out of curiosity, why do you want to reset them?

Scott Chatfield

Well 008 for CV8 is not TCS. 

Well 008 for CV8 is not TCS.  There is no matching  NMRA Manufacturer for  a value of 8 in CV8.  TCS should have returned  153 for a  CV8 READ.  I believe it should not even return a value of 008 no matter what 

CV7 means very little until  the manufacturer is sorted out. 

Try and write a 50 to CV8 then READ it.  If this change occurs, this decoder does not comply with NMRA specs.

= = = =

Configuration Variable 7 : Manufacturer Version Number This is reserved for the manufacturer to store information regarding the version of the decoder.

Configuration Variable 8 : Manufacturer ID CV8 shall contain the NMRA assigned id number of the manufacturer of this decoder. The currently assigned manufacturer ID codes are listed in Appendix A of this Standard. The use of a value not assigned by the NMRA shall immediately cause the decoder to not be in conformance to this Standard. The CV shall be implemented as a read-only value, which cannot be modified.

Marc

More info

@ Scott - I'm listing them on E Bay and want to return them to factory settings.

@ Marc - They are older TCS decoders.

Steve

. . .

Real strange as TCS decoders (old or new) should return 153 for CV8 and the T1 should return 86-88 or 89 for CV7.

(TCS) Train Control Systems (CV8=153) Resetting CV'S to their factory default on the programming track ONLY, write a value of 2 into CV8 or CV30. The decoder must go through a power off then power up. CV'S will then reset to the factory default values on power up.

Marc

THANKS Marc!

Since you said "Real strange" I feel better I'm not going crazy... at least on this.  

I tried trying changing CV8 to 2 instead of 8 and it worked like a champ!   All back to factory settings now on both of them.  

I was changing CV8 to 8 as per the Digitrax guide to resetting to factory settings.  The funny thing is that actually works on other decoders up to a fairly current ESU on a Proto SD9.  

Thanks again Marc!

Steve

. . .

Still does not explain away the fact  CV8 and CV7 are not returning the proper values.

Marc

DCC Shortcuts Card

Dear Steve,

It's a bit late for this particular mission,
but for _Future Reference_, the "DCC Shortcuts Card" from right here on MRH is well worth downloading,
printing, and posting above your "DCC Test-track"...
(Should be mandatory for every DCC User IMHO...)

NB the "resetting decoder to factory settings" section Top Centre...

http://mrhpub.com/2018-02-feb/download/BONUS-DCC-Shortcuts-Card-v1.2.pdf

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Thanks guys.......even more

@ Prof - I forgot about that card, grabbed it again for future reference.  

A quick scan of the card solves some of the riddle Scott has and why I had success prior to this to cause my dilemma.  

So when I followed the Digitrax DSC50  advise to change CV8 to a value of 8 it was correct for Digitrax and several others decoders.   This is why every time I changed it to 8 it looked like it was successful... it was.  And because the other brands I was resetting back to factory just happened to also use a value of 8 for CV8  is why I was successful- Digitrax, ESU and Tsunami.   

Then I come along and do a TCS decoder and trouble sets in. Set CV 8 to 8, click write and nothing.  Repeat and again nothing. Repeat, repeat, repeat - nothing, nothing, nothing......   Grab another loco, unknowingly with one of the mentioned decoders, change CV8 to the 2 digit road number it works fine.  Reset CV8 back to 8 and factory fresh again.   The TCS goes back on the program track, CV8 to 8 and nothing.  I bang my head on the table 3 times and repeat, repeat repeat,,,,,,,,,

SO after I fix the dent in the table my plans for the day are to get Decoder Pro back up and running again!

@ Scott - while I'm out there today I'll reread CV7 and CV8 again.   Dollars to doughnuts CV8 comes back as 2.
 

Steve

. . .

A READ of CV8 should return the manufacturer ID and nothing else but.  If it returns the ' last value entered' , the decoder if faulted.  CV8 is a READ only CV. The decoder knows what to do when a WRITE to CV8 comes up.

If the WRITE value is anything other than a specific value, he discards the command. He does not retain the value. 

If  CV8 comes back as  2  in your testing, the decoder is good for the junk bin.  DecoderPro will be incapable of determining the decoder Manufacturer or decoder type.

" change CV8 to the 2 digit road number it works fine.   "  This statement of yours makes no sense.

A Digitrax manual applies to Digitrax hardware.  It is not a Universal Guide to decoders.

Even the NMRA can get it wrong, look at TCS reset options in this document, both wrong : 

https://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/sr201402_dcc.pdf

Marc

. . .

So what is indicated in this sheet is also wrong in regards to TCS. 

Only CV8 = 2 will work (on TCS non-sound decoders).

Marc

@ Marc

" change CV8 to the 2 digit road number it works fine.   "  This statement of yours makes no sense.

My bad, I was typing CV8 so much I listed it as CV8.  What I wanted to type was I changed the loco address to a 2 digit address based on the last 2 numbers of the loco's road number - 7277 is 77

Sorry for the confusion

Steve

Either one works

From the documentation ...

Short question.

For a newcomer, or newbie, or just anyone who loves K.I.S.S. like me. Isn't it good advice to standardize what decoders you use? I realize some of you enjoy ESU. And others swear by/or at MTH. But when someone obtains an older loco, and wants to use it on his current layout, he needs good info. And it appears to me that NMRA is not as reliable as this "good old" MRH forums. And what bothered me was that the NMRA posted didn't even have a date on it. Most everything I save, I insert a date of when it was written or published. And especially photos of train equipment. I always input "2020 07 19 PRR #1234 gondola" and sometimes add more, such as drop bottom or such. Makes a long description, but saves a lot of time when searching for something. The newest addition to my list of bibles "2018 02 DCC shorcuts v1.2.pdf". So you can find it very quickly. Just my suggestions and point of some sort of standardization. Why do y'all need to have so many different decoders? Without JMRI, you'd be forever scratching your head, or banging it on a table.

...

Morgan.

That is an excerpt from a NMRA divisional publication in Australia. I'm sure the complete newsletter had a date. As for content it's hard for an editor to verify everything that is written, ask Joe.

As for decoders, they are constantly changing. It's not always feasible to change all your roster when you find a new decoder you like. People NOT using JMRI keep records of what they are running.

. . .

Mr Fugate, that doc you are quoting is from the NCE web site.  I had posted it also.

Go to the TCS web site and browse the docs.  TCS  states only a CV8 = 2 reset.  Nowhere  do they mention supporting  a CV30 = 2 reset.  

Marc