Sunnysa

I have been using Lenz since August 1995 upgraded as the yrs went by. I am still using LZV100 V3.6 with LH100 & LH90 hand controls. It is easy to use, bullet proof, reliable and does everything I want. Including various sound dedoders. Lenz may sometimes be slow in releasing new product but it always works when they do. Ian

I ran DCC exhibition layouts for yrs without any problems. Over the yrs on the exhibition circuit I have seen a couple of DCC op layouts with trouble which was not the fault of DCC but caused by the operators not knowing what they were doing. Over the yrs I also saw a few DC analog layouts having trouble of various kinds. One DC layout was down for 2 days of a 3 day show. Another DC layout not op for a full day. It sounds to me some people will find any excuse to rubbish DCC. In AUG 95 it was DCC that kept me in this great hobby, I was sick of pushing buttons and flicking switches to run trains not to mention all the wiring etc. What is the difference between toy trains and a model railway? Answer, DCC LOL Cheers Ian

If you can't make track magic work there is something wrong somewhere. My layout is in an unlined tin shed and my rails are cleaned about every 4-5 months with track magic needed or not. My cleaning method is T M in a CMX clean machine pushed (not pulled) around the layout. BTW, some of my rolling stock has plastic wheels. Cheer Ian

If programing (service) mode is being set up properly in system and there is still full voltage on programing track then there is something wrong with system surely. The only time there is voltage on programing track is when a command is sent to change or read a CV which is sent in a very short burst. Hence a loco will sometimes lurch or jump when command is received. I speak from 22 yrs experience of using DCC also a few yrs ( now retired) selling DCC in a large hobby shop. A decoder tester is a must in any serious DCC modelers kit. It will save a lot of fiddling about and frustration. Cheers Ian .

If done properly, programing on the main is perfectly safe and will only program the designated loco. Will not program any other loco on layout. Have been doing it for many years without any problems. Cheers Ian

Not that this solves the problem, but, this is what happened with early Hornby decoders. They would only work etc, with Hornby systems. Looks like the old problem has happened again. Cheers Ian

When I was president of a DCC club we did not have any records kept of members loco address's. Before a member put a loco on layout they had to report to layout director to check address's being used. If there was a duplication the members loco address would be changed temporarily. We found this system worked very well and saved the hassle of having to keep records of members loco address's. It only takes a few seconds to change address and the members did not mind waiting while this was done on program track. Admittedly, the club bought a second DCC system because often a member/s wanted help with other programing besides change of address. Cheers Ian

AS Crossland said; you don't have to know the address of loco to write a new one on program track. Just put loco on program track and enter address of your choice which is the same with any CV, just enter new CV value over what is there. Having said that, it is nice to have CV read capabilities. Cheers Ian

I am not sure what you mean by CV1. Are you trying to program address via CV1 or direct mode. When programing address (long or short address) I always use direct mode. I am probably clutching at straws but, Is your lenz the LZV100 V3.6 or V3.5 I ask because V3.5 did sometimes have some problems programing Lok 3.5 it was sometimes intermittent. Cheers Ian

Mick, To state the obvious,reading/writing some CVs and not others is certainly weird. In 19+ yrs op Lenz I have had strange things happen but nothing like this. If all connections/plugs etc, check OK unfortunately your last statement may be true. The fault may be in Lenz system. Best of luck with your investigations. Cheers Ian

Out of interest, since it happened have you tried programing another loco/decoder that you know has programed in the past. Are you programing the lok 3.5 in a decoder tester. I ask that because I have a decoder tester ( home made) that will not allow programing of some CVs on Lok 3.5s. Caused by, as Dagworth said, the motor in tester does not draw enough current for the ack pulse. Just some thoughts. Cheers Ian

Thanks for making things clearer. I must admit, I know very little about NCE system apart from, as stated early in this thread, the momentum button can muck up the values in some CVs in certain sound decoders. Cheers Ian

Unless I am missing something, I have always been led to believe locking a decoder via CVs 15 & 16 only prevents it from being programmed. It does not prevent function keys being operable. In this case the momentum button will still function if decoder is locked. Cheers Ian

Will multiple operators ( as in operating session) using mixture of Android and Iphones etc, work together on same Z21 system? Cheers ian

Good grief, this topic is going round in more circles than the Olympic rings. If selling a decoder fitted loco just program it to address 3, not 03 or 003 or 0003 just 3 and all will be tikity boo. Or, as has been said, do a factory reset on it then the new owner can do what he/she requires to the limit of their system. For those that may not realize, the Hornby select ( as far as I know) can only program/run 1 or 2 digit address's.IE 1-99. Early Bachmqn EZ system could only program/run single digit address. IE 1 to 9. The Bachman Dynamis can program/run up to 4 digit address but not read back CVs unless the extra pro box is attached. The bottom line is, as has been said, no matter the system, if it won't program an address over what is already in decoder then it is not fit for purpose. Scrap it. BTW, I have ECoS and Lenz sytems which both have no problems programing ESU Loksound decoders without any extra add ons etc,. Cheers Ian

Surely even simple systems that can program addresses will program a 2 digit address over what is already in the decoder. A decoder is a dumb little animal that only does what it is told and obeys the last command. A decoder address does not need to be read before programing an address, just program new address and away you go. It is like the old video tapes, just record/program over the top of what is already there. I could be wrong but, I think NCE is the only system that can put zero's in front of number to create 4 digit address EG 3 is single address 0003 is 4 digit address etc,. Which, IMHO, can be confusing to some people. Cheers Ian

RFS,if you read my post you will notice that I did mention DCCconcepts decoders may not be suitable for RR&CO etc. Not all of us can afford RR&CO even if we wanted to which I and many don,t. With the same money I can buy lots of DCCconcepts decoders, locos to put them in and thoroughly enjoy them. My 3mx6m layout is mountainous with 3% gradients and DCCconcepts/TCS locos do not pick up speed going down hill which is possibly due to the fact that my locos are operated at scale speeds meaning locos are still operating within the BEMF range. Same going up hill. Also all my locos are speed limited to 40 SMPH and speed matched. Yes, like most of my model RR friends, I like to drive my trains and not let a computer do it for me. I am certainly not against those that want auto layout control. Horses for courses etc. I will stand by my original statement. DCCconcepts decoders are value for money and generally speaking perform as well as most decoders for many people. BTW, if CVs 5 & 6 or full 28 step speed curve is not implemented,( I do but many modelers don't), the lurch does not happen at all and BEMF stays fully intact. The beauty of this great hobby is we can all do and enjoy our own thing and be happy with what works for us. Cheers Ian

DCCconcwpts decoders have been my non sound decoder of choice since their entry to the market. IMHO they are very good value for money. The slow running is as good as any I have used in the 18+ yrs I have been op DCC. If using CVs 5 & 6 or full speed curve (CVs 67-94) for top & middle speed there is sometimes a speed lurch in one of the speed steps. The cure is set CV10 to the speed step the lurch occurs. EG, if lurch occurs on speed step 12, using 28 SS mode, set CV10 to 12. The same thing happened to some TCS decoders. If using RR&CO these decoders may not suit but for the average DCC operator that does not use any computer control DCCconcepts decoders are as good as any that I have used including the more expensive ones. No affiliation with DCCconcepts other than a satisfied customer. Cheers Ian PS My apologies if I have hijacked the thread.

Does it really matter what it looks like as long as it works. What is better? Old fashioned looking and works or modern looking and doesn't work? Personally I wouldn't have Gaugemaster either but that is only my opinion. Cheers Ian

I appreciate what Keith is saying about TCS etc, decoders and computer control but I have no intension to automate my layout via RR&Co, or what ever, now or in the future. There are those that like automation and fair enough. I like to drive my trains as do my monthly op session operators. I have been using TCS chips for yrs and now have swapped to DCCconcepts chips. They both do what I want and with a little bit of CV adjustment perform as well as any decoder I have used being, most of the major brands. I also use Loksound decoders which have slow running and throttle control as good as any and my TCS & DCCconcepts chips match them.. There are those that don't want to adjust CVs and there are those of us that enjoy doing it. To some I am probably nuts but I enjoy doing full 28 step speed curves on all my locos which in conjunction with one or two other CV tweaks my TCS/DCCconcepts chips accellerate/deccellerate very well. Slow speed is very good too. EG 2 minutes to travel 1inch/25mm without any jerking etc. Cheers Iansa

In what way are they superior? Not trying to start anything just asking the question. Cheers Ian

Wise move Ron. Cheers Ian