March 17, 1998

Digitrax

Status Edit. Many users that I speak to are not experienced with the "Status Edit" features of the Big Boy and Chief Systems. This feature lets you monitor or edit the decoder status via status codes that appear as the two right digits of the DT200 and DT100 displays when you push select set. Many times when you cannot acquire a locomotive or get it to run these status codes will tell you why, e.g. if 33 appears in the right hand digit area the locomotive is "in use" with another throttle operating at 128 speed steps. Review and learn to use the status edit features if you need help just call.

Program Track. When using the separate programming track feature of the Chief systems it is important to minimize resistance and electrical loads. The Chief's programmer has protection features; if connections are poor, or there is bad wiring or dirty track and wheels, the Chief will not program. Also if the locomotive has lights (constant lighting) that draw above 1/20 Amp, which pick up from each rail, and not through the decoder, the Chief will not program. The Chief's protection circuitry is designed to prevent an improperly wired decoder from burning up during programming.

Slots Full. Chief Users, if you have seen FF in the RH display when trying to select a locomotive, this means that the 22 address low range operational slots are full. You can perform a DCS100 op switch change to eliminate the problem. OP/S#38 will clear the slots or OP/S#44 will extend the range.