QUOTE (dbclass50 @ 1 Jan 2008, 15:12)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Make sure that the loco is is "110%" in contact with the programming track (the current available is limited, hence possibly the problem with sound equiped locomotives).
If that does not work remove
every single locomotive from the running tracks & try using programming on the main as a last resort.
*** You could also try adding a 100 ohm 1/2 watt resistor to one of the programming track leads. This will often let a units programming track output cope with the added load of a (mainly the higher current US types) sound decoder.
If its a QSI sound loco, disable verbal confirmation as it prevents programming because it adds a delay in the acknowedgement.
As long as the install is definately OK, then frankly POM is the easiest answer - many sound loco's actually can't be easily programmed on the programming track anyway.... MRC's horrid ones in particular (sorry - but they
are nasty and best adjusted with a hammer).
Re programming on the main: The "danger of reprogramming everything" is actually a hobby myth!
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Unlike programming track programming where the programming is simply broadcast to "whatever decoder is on the track", programming on the main is actually selective loco by loco.
paraphrasing programming track programming:
"whatever loco you are, change CV1 to 12"
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POM isn't a "broadcast" type thing as people think Brian - To do any programming you always have to first tell the command station which loco to programme, and this also applies with address changes... other wise programming on the main would always tell every loco the same thing, and it doesn't. (there are many DCC users who do 99% of their programming of everything on the main one they've checked the correctness of the install on the programming track).
paraphrasing programming on the main:
step one "attention loco number 3"
step two "change CV1 to 12"
etc etc.... So youc cannot change all loco's at once unless they all have the same address to start with!!!!!
MOST competent systems will happily change all CV's on the main including address...If in doubt, check the manual for your own system.
Richard
DCCconcepts