Decoder Pro & Sprog

[HLT 0109]

I have been in internet conversation on JMRI User Group about a loco decoder that cannot be read by Decoder Pro via my NCE Power Cab and I am wondering if there would be any merit or advantage in acquiring a SPROG II.

 

The loco in question is a Bachmann 00 gauge Class 08 shunter bought as a gift by my sons in December 2008 when I first became interested in creating a layout.  It was bought as DCC ready and fitted by the supplier with a 4-function decoder.  I have been using JMRI since version 4.6 and the loco has been in the roster since that time so it must have been read initially.  I believe that, when I first created the loco in Decoder Pro, I assumed the decoder to be a Bachmann one and selected that from the options identified.  I have never had a problem running the loco with JMRI or the Power Cab but the decoder is basic so the only adjustments available have been to the address and the rates of acceleration/deceleration.

 

In due course i upgraded JMRI to version 4.10 and recently to 4.11.3. and subsequently discovered that my roster was corrupted - ie all locos showed the default address of 3!  I can't be sure that the upgrade was the cause as I was doing other things as well - including upgrading my SB3a to SB5 specification with a version 1.65B chip. .  However, being unsure whether there were other corruptions (and being unaware at the time of the Roster Rebuild facility) I decider to re-read the decoders of all my locos into Decoder Pro from the programming track as they were all running well.  I managed it with all locos except the Class 08. Decoder Pro delivers the message "No locomotive detected".  Turning off the computer, I tried reading the decoder with Power Cab - every attempt produced the message "Cannot read CV".  I took the loco to my local MR club and someone ran it on their test track using a Gaugemaster controller and managed to read CV8 as value 13.  This seems to be "Public Domain & DIY decoders".  As far as I know, the loco was obtained from one of the major Uk suppliers and I can't believe they would have used a non-descript decoder so I am wondering if the information is in fact correct.  Currently, Decoder Pro shows CV8 value as 255, but it also shows a complete set of speed steps which I are not recognissed by the loco.

 

So, back to my question - would obtaining a SPROG  II be worthwhile?

 

Sorry for the long story.

Harold.

[smokebox]

Could it be a Hornby R8215 decoder? These didn't have the ability to be read from and were quickly replaced by the R8249 decoder due to the limitations and problems with its predecessor.

[amdaley]

I thought it might be a Hornby decoder as well.

I have one here in a GWR Pannier which came DCC fitted a few years ago.

I can write to it but can't read it using an NCE Power Cab.

Tony.

[njee20]

If two different systems won’t read the decoder there’s no reason for a SPROG to be any different. Sounds like the decoder is the issue, and given the age of it the Hornby one seems likely.

[Crosland]

If two different systems won’t read the decoder there’s no reason for a SPROG to be any different. Sounds like the decoder is the issue, and given the age of it the Hornby one seems likely.

 

At the risk of losing a sale I would agree.

 

Andrew Crosland

SPROG DCC

[HLT 0109]

Thank you all, for your advice.

Harold.

Edited July 10, 2018 by HLT 0109