KB627: Tower 55 locomotives-Programming a 4-digit address using Digitrax Zephyr Xtra (DCS51) or Zephyr (DCS50)

This article was last updated on July 31, 2011, 3:30 p.m. | Print Article | Leave Feedback

Note: The programming shortcut for 4-digit addressing outlined in the Digitrax Zephyr manual will not work to program the Tower 55 decoder in any programming mode on the Zeyphr throttle due to a programming timing issue with the DSC50. Please use the procedure referenced in this bulletin to access this feature.

Note: If the DCS50 or DCS51 is being used as a command station with a DT400/DT400R throttle connected via the Loconet ports, then the programming shortcut for 4-digit addressing outlined in the DT400/DT400R throttle manual will work to enable the 4-digit address capability of the decoder when using the DT400/DT400R throttle to perform the operations mode programming.

Overview:

To program the locomotive electronics to use a 4-digit address using the Digitrax Zephyr model DCS50 or DCS51 throttle, the user must manually set CV17, CV18 and CV29 to enable the 4-digit address capability of the decoder. To perform this programming successfully, the user will need to determine the correct values to set CV17 & CV18 by completing the referenced worksheet. It is recommended that this procedure be performed on the main track using operations mode programming. If performed on the dedicated service mode programming track, using either paged or direct mode programming, then unsuccessful programming results are likely.

These instructions are the same for DCS50 & DCS51 models of Zephyr and Zephyr Xtra.

Procedure:
1. Place the Tower 55 locomotive on the main track.
* Note: The rails of this track should be connected to the RAIL A & RAIL B outputs on the DCS50 command station.

2. Press the PROG MODE key on the DCS50 throttle until “Ops” appears in the LED display.

* Note: This is the setting for operations mode programming.

3. Press the STEPS CV key on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display should read “o###” with the # symbols replaced by actual digits)

4. Enter “17” using the numeric keypad on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display will read “o017”)

5. Press the STEPS CV key on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display will read “d###” with the # symbols replaced with actual digits)

6. Enter the value for CV17 from the worksheet using the numeric keypad on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display will read “d###” with the # symbols replaced with the digits that were keyed in)

7. Press the CV WR key on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display will blink “d###” and then return to solid displaying “d###”)

8. Press the EXIT key on the DCS50 throttle.

9. Press the PROG MODE key on the DCS50 throttle until “Ops” appears in the LED display.

10. Press the STEPS CV key on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display should read “o###” with the # symbols replaced by actual digits)

11. Enter “18” using the numeric keypad on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display will read “o018”)

12. Press the STEPS CV key on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display will read “d###” with the # symbols replaced with actual digits)

13. Enter the value for CV18 from the worksheet using the numeric keypad on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display will read “d###” with the # symbols replaced with the digits that were keyed in)

14. Press the CV WR key on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display will blink “d###” and then return to solid displaying “d###”)

15. Press the EXIT key on the DCS50 throttle.

16. Press the PROG MODE key on the DCS50 throttle until “Ops” appears in the LED display.

17. Press the STEPS CV key on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display should read “o###” with the # symbols replaced by actual digits)

18. Enter “29” using the numeric keypad on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display will read “o029”)

19. Press the STEPS CV key on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display will read “d###” with the # symbols replaced with actual digits)

20. Enter “38” using the numeric keypad on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display will read “d038”)

21. Press the CV WR key on the DCS50 throttle. (The LED display will blink “d038” and then return to solid displaying “d038”)

22. Press the EXIT key on the DCS50 throttle. (The sounds on the locomotive should shut down after a few seconds)

23. The enabling of the 4-digit address for the Tower 55 locomotive is now complete.

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