Has anyone used one of these? we have it on dads layout for them DCC Shed/outdoor line and I’ve wired up a test track/program track using a DPDT switch so it’s either normal DCC at the end of the shunt, or becomes the program track.. however, I’ve tried to actually use it for reading/programming decoders and it just doesn’t read any locos? Comes up a blank. checking and it’s showing a DC current on it (we have a little “thing” That you can drop on your track to test for DCC or DC and it’s either red/green for DC or Orange for DCC.) is a DC current correct all the time ? It’s not enough to power a non DCC loco.. so what’s it doing? Or have I got a fault??
Andy, firstly DCC is not DC but square wave AC so any readings using a multimeter has to be in AC mode and current is only readable using the meter in series with track power, putting a meter across the track, you are reading voltage If Prodigy uses a separate programme track like NCE, normal DDC output is reduced to prevent decoders giving magic smoke, with just enough to move the motor slightly to acknowledge setting CV's Gaugemaster is just badged MRC so you may have to ask MRC them selves if the manual is no help
No, it’s a track power detection led, not a multi meter. Not used a multi meter… i am asking as normally I use a sprog to set CV’s. We have a loco recently purchase second hand. I can get it to work on the sprog, reads, writes and runs ok.. normally there is no power to the track when reading/writing unless you have the throttle turned on. can’t get it to work on dads layout. Nothing.. programming track doesn’t read it and won’t also read any other locos I’ve tried. And shows a DC current when in program mode regardless of what im doing. I would expect the section of track to be dead? I know it’s AC. Sorry I misread your post earlier.. it’s an ac or dc current detector… a small led on a circuit board..
Hi Andy Not had a lot experience with these - although the hand set is the same shape as a NCE Hammer head, the control knob was at the bottom, so made it a two hand job to use. It is a rebadged MRC unit - so searches on tinternet for that may help. Depending on how "motivated" you are and your arduino skills, you could build a DCC sniffer, which connects to the track and will listen to all commands sent to the track. Try a multimeter - even tho it's a higher frequency square wave AC you should get an AC voltage just not the correct reading, and not a pure DC. I'm assuming the normal track output is ok, as you haven't mentioned that having issues. Have you tried moving the whole unit to a spare piece of track and testing both Track and programming tract connections on that. Can the Prodigy do programming on the Main ?, if so try and see if you can read and write to a loco - I'm always wary of this option as it has Murphy's finger prints all over it. If it still remains only the Programming track, then it may be part of the output side. Not sure on the cost of getting one checked and repaired, but the cost of an Arduino and motor controller to make up a DCC++ unit (or another Sprog) would probably be cheaper than postage to send it for repair. You'd have a main control system for the layout that can't program and a seperate system for maint and programming. I have this with my NCE system, the Power Pro for the layouts (no program track connected), and a seperate programming track that uses my PowerCab handset. Paul
Good suggestion re a separate track. That will maybe be tonight’s experiment. We hadn’t due to time and how it’s wired in. I can drive a loco on it normally. And when the switch changes the light changes from orange (ac) to green or red depending on the orientation of the circuit board that the LED is mounted on. as for programming on the main, yes, it does.. but I’ve never done it as always used the sprog.. but as that was at my home and not at dads we chose to check with the handset.. I would have to RTFM as it’s not a function we use. i will probably take the sprog and laptop up tonight and double check stuff.. but yeah. Checking the program track off the layout could be worth a shot.. It’s just baffling why I can run the loco on the sprog on the rolling road, yet not a flicker on the layout? Andy
Ok. An update.. tested the layout.. everything works apart from loco 114… the recently purchased 4-6-2 60114. brought it in… Set up the rolling road and laptop/Sprog. works straight away.. got it nice and warm and run in. Back to shed…. nothing… so, another day/night is to drop the Gaugemaster out and run it in doors to the rolling road. Still need to address why this unit also won’t read a decoder.. but baffled as to why 114 won’t run.
It will be interesting if the Prodigy works inside - maybe it's a bit nesh A layout I was involved building in the early 80's, with the new Zero 1 system, the controller had to be sat on top of a heater in the loft as it didn't like the cold at all. 60114 is it sound fitted ? - maybe the current requirement is too great for the program track. Paul
No, not sound fitted this one.. not sure what the decoder is either? Dad has brought it in today. All three locos he chose to test run would work as normal but none would read back any info for the CV1 address. we are wondering if we have a fault.
Not teaching you to suck eggs, I hope.... I find there is a delay with my Prodigy controller. Put the loco on the program track, select Prog track, then hit enter when Read displays, a few seconds later the address displays.... I have had one new to me Loco requiring a wheel clean before it would read.
Hi Andrew, No, your not… It does all that, flashing reading, the. - - - -. Normally you will see a loco Twitch or a light flash. Nothing. where as programming with my ZTC at home or the sprog caused the loco to twitch… I’m thinking we have a unit fault.
