Programming Decoders

I have a 4x8 H0 scale layout.  I'm 13 years old and REALLY thinking about switching to DCC, I need to know really fast because I want to ask my parents to get it for Christmas.You wouldn't know by looking at those who edit the Tech Support Depot, but there actually was a time when we too were thirteen, and just starting out in model railroading.  In many ways, we still are thirteen years old; we just can't move as fast.  Consider this photograph from our youth: This little bit of ancient model railroad history dates back to the 1950's, ...

Zephyr Xtra (DCS51) and Zephyr (DCS50) systems can program Soundtraxx Tsunami decoders using Blast Mode Programming on the Mainline.  Blast Mode Programming will program EVERYTHING sitting on the main line track so, you MUST remove everything from the track that you are not programming or use an isolated piece of track connected to Rail A & B. NOTE: Track power must be ON during Blast Mode Programming.  Blast Mode programming will work with all sound decoders not just Tsunami. You will not be able to read back CVs using Blast Mode Programming.  To use Blast Mode Programming with Zephyr, close ...

Performing factory decoder reset using Digitrax Zephyr Xtra (DCS51) or Zephyr (DCS50)Overview:To reset a Digitrax decoder to factory defaults the user must set CV08 to a value of 08. It is recommended that this procedure be performed on the dedicated service mode programming track using direct mode programming.Procedure:1. Place the decoder equipped locomotive on an electrically isolated service-mode programming track which is connected to Programming Outputs Prog 'A' & 'B'.2. Press the PROG MODE key until “dir” appears in the LED display.3. Press the STEPS CV key. (The LED display should read “t###” with the # symbols replaced by actual digits)4. Enter “08” using ...

This procedure should be done on an electrically isolated programming track1. Be sure that only the locomotive you want to program is on the programming track.2. Press the PROG key on the DCS50 to enter programming mode. The DCS50 will display one of the programming modes available. Digitrax recommends the Paged Mode when you are using the programming track. If you press the PROG key repeatedly, you will cycle through the following choices:      PAGE     PHYS     dir     OPSFor example, to use Paged mode stop pressing the PROG key when the following screen appears:Each time you press the LOCO key the ...