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Try using Blast Mode

You could try using Blast Mode. There are some settings that need to be changed, and it will be done using Operations Mode on the main track.

(Just to be safe, remove the other locomotives from the layout, or connect the RAIL A and B outputs to a separate section of track. It should not be an issue, but in case you do something that reprograms all the locomotives.)  

Some sound decoders need a little extra power, and that can be done with a programming track booster, such as Soundtraxx's PTB-100 or in this case, blast mode.

In Service mode you really can't read back values.

Another question: What type of decoder are you trying to program, in case there are other questions.

. . .

It would be good to know what decoder you are dealing with.   This sounds like an early Tsunami decoder.

Blast mode does not READ decoders. You are just as well to use OPS (Program on Main, doing only writes) instead of Blast mode.

Blast mode is set by changing OPSW 07 in the Zephyr.  Beware this can and will re program any and all engines sitting on the layout. The safest way to keep this error at bay is to DISCONNECT RAIL A / RAIL B from the Zephyr leaving only PROG A /PROG B connected when you are in BLAST mode as Blast mode fires out the command via RAILA.B as well as PROGA/B  at the same time.

Now the Soundtraxx PTB-100  is another good solution.  BEWARE that this program track booster is not required for Tsunami2 or Econami decoders and should be disconnected for them.  If you are suggested to use a POWERPAX  be aware  the Powerpax does not play well with programing of Tsunami2 and Econami and is known to not work well with other decoders. I know because i have one. Waisted money.

= = = = =

"  In Service mode you really can't read back values. "

This statement is wrong. Service mode does permit reading most decoders.  Operation Mode Programming can not READ back without additional hardware.

Marc

Blast Mode

Blast mode only works in Operations mode, meaning Rail A and B are used.

Digitrax - Blast Mode

The difference is that when you switch to Service Mode programming, the PROG outputs become active. In Ops mode they are not used.

You can do almost anything in Ops mode, except set an Extended Address, as it uses the address to program a specific decoder. Service mode programs all decoders on the track!

In addition to the brand of decoder, what scale are you working in?

Resistor Between Prog A and Prog B

Roger - I used to have a DCS 51, and had the same problem.  After some searching, I found this article on the Digitrax website: https://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB583/programming-output-voltage-and-bachmann-decoder-pr/.

Installing the resistor between the Prog A and Prog B connection solved the problem completely, independent of programming mode (and independent of whther it was a Bachmann decoder or nor not.

Hope you get it working.

Urs

. . .

Michael. Thanks for the interesting link. I learned  a bit more about Zephyrs Blast mode.

Interesting that they published this in 2014, 4 years after the DCS50 was retired and 8 years after the product came out.  There were never any specific instructions in any manual so we guessed at the operation. 

Blast mode converts RAIL A/B to accept Direct, Service mode programming commands. Programming commands are still sent out both RAIL A/B and PROG A/B. Only difference is OPS mode has continual power to the track and will now accept Dir Commands.

This has been removed from the DCS52.

But it still will not be a solution to his issue as  D NR is no response and OPS does not READ so he is still stuck.

The real answer would be the PTB-100 so he can both READ and WRITE to decoder.

Marc

. . .

I am curious as to how many have used the 1k resistor trick with SOUND DECODERS.  Since a Sound decoder pulls amps during startup  I do not see how adding more resistance can help to READ a decoder.   Non-sound decoders I can understand this fix could work, since it is not the same problem.

Marc

PTB-100

Yes the PTB-100 is the best booster for programming.  I have used mine for all programming with no ill effects at all including the new T2 decoders.   I have it permanently in-line with my programming track.  Hope this helps.

MRC PA2 with JMRI.

Can't help with the Digitrax system but just follow the instructions for your system.

The pains of Blast Mode

I tried programming sound decoders with my Zephyr in Blast mode in 2015. This got me only so far that one engine froze. Would not accept any commands, regardless of the programming modes. Blast! About that time I read about JMRI and others using a SPROG II for programming. I ordered one (from a German reseller, I live in Austria) and a few days later I setup JMRI and the SPROG connected to a piece of flextrack. That combination let me reset the engine successfully, and afterwards re- program it for my needs. As a bonus I have all the settings for my engines in JMRI, so I no longer take any notes on paper. Never again did I try to program a decoder with my Zephyr. All the best, mike

. . .

To be honest about it, I used Blast mode when I discovered its existence  in my DCS50  in 2008.  It was not mentioned in the Digitrax manuals of the time and so we guested at how it worked. Since it could not READ, it was pointless so I purchased a Powerpax and that also proved to be a disappointment.  Read some and not others.

Then I purchased the PTB-100 and it would read anything I put on program track. So it became a permanent fixture of my program / test / run track.

I eventually purchased a Digitrax PR3 and it also had issues until we discovered replacing the base power pack with one of higher output solved that.  Later I also purchased a PR4.

Marc

1K Resistor Trick

After I installed the 1k resistor between Prog A and Prog B, I never had any issue again with any sound or non-sound decoders.  My experience with sound decoders is limited though to Soundtraxx Tsunami, Digitrax, and one Quantum QSI decoder.  Cannot speak to ESU or TCS decoders.

Also, admittedly, I have no clue why the 1k resistor worked, I just installed it because the Digitrax article told me to do it, and it worked. Also, it worked independent of programming mode.

The nice thing about DCC is one doesn't have to have a clue how it works, but it does, by just following instructions and connecting the correct wires.

Urs

Re Markfo68 pr3 power pack

What was the voltage and amperage of the power pack you used to boost the PR3?

Use DecoderPro

Hi Roger,

IMHO it is "insanity" to program sound decoders without using DecoderPro (or in the case of ESU LokProgrammer). There are many features to modern sound decoders and DecoderPro will make them readily accessible to you and relatively easy to modify.

To use the JMRI tool set you will need some sort of interface from your computer to your layout. I use a Sprog but also own an PR3. I haven't checked lately but either will cost about $100 and depending on how you value your time, I suspect they will pay you back in your first session.

Just my 2 cents worth,

John Geddes
Vancouver, BC

Java and JMRI are free to download and use

If you have a large fleet of ESU decoders The 5th version of their programmer is out there.

ESU decoders are blanks from the factory,are custom installs at Rapido,Intermountain etc.......

can be a bear to untangle

Jave/JMRI follow the NMRA standards most of the sound decoders fron digitrax/TCS ,etc  follow that

standard. MTH and MRC are the weird bunch good luck there