Program track time

Ken put it on the programing track and fire up the Decoder Pro.  Use the read type from decoder tell the programmed address.  This can walk you through the steps  http://jmri.sourceforge.net/help/en/manual/Programmer_Start.shtml

Merry Christmas 

Steve

Program track...

Steve,

Thanks for the comment. However, Using the programming track did not work in any programming mode. That is why I was beginning to run around like a chicken with its head cut off. To use the Programming Track you have to use something like the Digitrax PR3 to boost the power to the Tsunami to get any response and/or, in my case, program the decoder. The ops mode programming (programming on the main) will let you use JMRI DecoderPro to fully program the decoder (except the address you are using). The trick for me was using 00 for the address. I suppose this is what some people have called burst mode. I never saw "burst mode" defined in any posts anywhere I looked.

Anyway it worked for me.

Thanks again for thinking about the issue.

Burst mode definition

I'm no expert, but as I understand it, burst mode means using the main line at full power as though it were a programming track.  In a sense, it achieves the same thing that you did, but by a switch inside the command station instead of accessing a specific address.

I like your solution better - it's easier to remember.  One thing, though.  Did you have to figure out the codes for CV17&18, or just program the address as you normally would?  I've wondered if you could read & write CV 17&18 on the main in ops mode, and then set CV29 to use 4 digit addressing.

Normal programming

I think, not sure, that the ops mode programming is done with the track at full power. I believe that is why I can program the Tusnami on the main and not on the program track. You generally send data to a specific address with track power on. Using address 00 hits EVERY decoder on the track. That was the key to solving my problem. I did a "factory reset" (CV 8 to 008) to begin with. That set the Ad2 back to 03 and then I could do the programming at address 03 to set Ad4 to the loco road number. 

At least that is what I think is going on, your mileage may vary. From my scanning through the SoundTraxx and Digitrax Yahoo Groups, I think the programming track results vary with each individual decoder. 

Blast mode

"Blast mode" is a documented feature of the Digitrax Zephyr Xtra (DCS51) and an  undocumented feature of the old Zephyr (DCS50).

It puts full power to the programming track.  It should be noted that when this mode is used programming is also sent to the main track so everything with a decoder needs to be removed from the track (or somehow electrically isolated from the command station).

My bad

Sorry Ken I thought you had a Zephyr.  The problem with programing on the main is you can not read back CVs like a the programing track.  To add enough power you may want a Power Pax like this from MRH sponsor Litchfield station 

http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/product.php?productid=110012

This also might help in the mean time

http://www.amhobby.com/products/tech/generic/dcc_rescue.html

Steve

No problem

No problem Steve! I didn't specify my DCC system and I should have. In fact I think I will edit the original post to add that info so anyone searching the for Tsunami programming help will have that info.

Right now I'm good with programming on the main for the loco with the Tsunami. I only have 2 other DCC locos at the moment and I have been able to use the programming track with them. At some point in the future if I have both more locos and a larger layout (2' x 8' shelf now) I would consider something like the Power Pax.

Thanks for your responses!