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Post by santafedan on Apr 5, 2009 9:14:43 GMT -5
I just purchased a Digitrax Zephyr DCC control station. I'm having a problem setting the speed steps. I've only got two of my loco's set up with Digitrax DH123 decoders for now. The Athearn SD40 speed step is set at S128 and has a smooth, slow start-up. This loco starts practically as soon as the throttle is cracked. No matter what speed step I try to set the Athearn SD38 on it doesn't move until the throttle is around "1" and launches forward like an F22 leaving an aircraft carrier. I'd like to get these two running in the same speed steps as I want my future dc to dcc locos to run. I've gone thru the manual several times before even hooking the system up. One note is I used these same two decoders when I used an MRC Prodigy Express (2008) that I shelved due to lack of flexibility. I didn't have a problem with the decoders at that time. Also, I have not tried consiting them yet. Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
SantaFeDan
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Post by santafedan on Apr 5, 2009 15:07:47 GMT -5
I tried your suggestion and before I can finish setting CV02 to 0 or 1 it gives a reading "d093". Trying it again it gave a message of "bu54" Checking the manual it said CV03 was the starting voltage. I was able to reset that one to 0 & 1. Each time the loco started humming almost immediately. Then it had a slight lurch forward, then a pause, then took off like before.
This is getting exhausting and confusing!
SantaFeDan
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Post by santafedan on Apr 5, 2009 16:01:54 GMT -5
The "single" lurch happened after I reprogrammed CV03 to "zero" and the attempted reprogramming of CV02. The trucks are new after I sent the loco to Athearn a few months ago. The loco has worked fine since and runs very quietly. I don't think that is the problem. The drive system is not on a bind. I have tried several times to reset CV02 to "0" or "1" and I keep getting the same messages before I can finish the reprogramming.
You've got an old school guy trying to give in to progress and it's not going so smoothly.
SantaFeDan
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Post by santafedan on Apr 6, 2009 10:48:20 GMT -5
I'm going to try to reset the decoder once I get home tonight. Another thing that's going on is when I've tried to reset some things it loses the loco address. When I go to reset the loco # it resets itself to "093". Hopefully, resetting to factory settings will take care of a lot of issues with this decoder. Thanks for the help!
SantaFeDan
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Post by wvsecondary on Apr 6, 2009 15:34:14 GMT -5
Other thing might be to upgrade to the DH163 with BEMF this might give just the kick in the rear the motor needs to start smoother. I have found 123 to be a little "slow" in regard to fine motor control.
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Post by santafedan on Apr 7, 2009 6:22:26 GMT -5
I've thought about that upgrade as well. I've got an SD40-2 with a roof mounted beacon I was oing to put one in. I may end up getting one this weekend. I'll let you know.
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CIOR
Chairman
Posts: 2,046
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Post by CIOR on Apr 18, 2009 14:27:51 GMT -5
Go with another decoder.
I hate to be blunt, but I don't use Digitrax decoders anymore. Until AJ figures out that CHEAP COMPONENTS make for bad decoders..
I've started using TCS and I like them.
They function "cleaner" then any others I've used over the 10 years with DCC.
I do suggest the CV08=08 and doing the reset, otherwise, I would suggest another decoder.
If you want Digitrax, then move to the DH165, it will have everything you need.
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