so far 5 of my g-scale engines have been converted to dcc. installation in the aristo dash-9 was quick and easy. the two gp40 required to take the bodies off.
programming these things was a different story. using decoderpro, a digitrax pr3 and a piece of track didn't work. most likely the voltage was too low. i couldn't use 24vdc because of the limitations of the pr3. ok then. next i tried to do on-the-main programming. writing the different cv worked according to the digitrax dt402/dcs200 i used. reported "good". unfortunately the programming was not good. the values changed but not as i wanted. also trying a second time did not help. the decoders were no longer accessible. not even resetting them. i had to take the decoders out again, hook them up directly to the dcs200 programming track outputs. with this setup i was able to reset and program the decoders. once done, reinstall in the engine and do some quick tests. at some point i figured out that the dash-9 could be programmed this way while the decoder is installed. but engine and lights had to be turned off using the switches. for whatever reasons this procedure didn't work with the gp40. anyways, all 5 units are now ready. next step is testing the current mxion 30z command station with the digitrax dt402. especially consisting. this is what i didn't get to work with the z21 mouse. (the wlan connection between the two was horrible anyways). if consisting still not works i will use the dcs200 comannd station and the 30b booster. to still have wireless control i should be able to use one of my funky systems. since it is dect based and not wlan i might have enough range. if not, i have to add external antennas. we'll see how this all works out.
weekly work report..........08/30/2026
Posted - 08/31/2026 : 10:45:51
