Pendragon Sailing Posted September 1, 2023 Share Posted September 1, 2023 Is there any way to reset a decoder to its factory default settings (using CV8) without knowing the existing address of the of the decoder?I have been given a 2nd hand decoder and have mounted it on my decoder Test Board. It seems to be working/active (leds are showing), but without knowing the address its set to, I cannot activate or read any of its CVs.Any help welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulleidboy Posted September 1, 2023 Share Posted September 1, 2023 I thought you just programmed the decoder in the usual way, with whatever address you wanted to give it. When you buy a brand new decoder it is set at the default code of 03, you then place the loco on your programming track and address it with whatever you want - same with a secondhand decoder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pendragon Sailing Posted September 1, 2023 Author Share Posted September 1, 2023 It doesn’t respond to the 03 address, so I have to assume that it has another one allocated by its previous (unknown) owner. That’s my problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulleidboy Posted September 1, 2023 Share Posted September 1, 2023 Does your control unit not display the address when you turn it on?When I turn my Hornby Elite on it displays 03 - whatever decoder fitted loco is on the track. I then call up the address for a particular loco. If I want to readdress the loco, I just put it on the programming track and re-address it - I do not have to have any details of what the decoder is programmed to when placing it on the progtrack. I then give it a new address - using the Elite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pendragon Sailing Posted September 1, 2023 Author Share Posted September 1, 2023 No it doesn’t.I’m using a Digitrax DCS210+ with a drM 200 Decoder Test Board Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulleidboy Posted September 1, 2023 Share Posted September 1, 2023 Can you programme through the test board?I have just looked up the "decoder tester" and you can programme your decoder using the tester. I assume you just place your decoder in the tester and give it a new address? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-Henny Posted September 1, 2023 Share Posted September 1, 2023 Is there any way to reset a decoder to its factory default settings (using CV8) without knowing the existing address of the of the decoder? You don't need to know the existing address to reset a decoder using CV8 when using the 'Programming Track' (Direct Mode programming which is the default mode with Hornby branded controllers).In fact, with 'Direct Mode programming' you can change any CV without knowing the existing address, this includes the CVs holding address data.You only need to know the existing address when using 'Operate Mode programming' which is also sometimes referred to on other brands of controller as POM (Programming On Main). This means programming the decoder whilst it is still sitting on the main layout track along with other locos. In that scenario you need to know the address so that you don't affect the other locos, by using 'Operate Mode or POM'.So as long as your branded controller says place your loco on a programming track piece then an existing address shouldn't be required as it should be using 'Direct Mode' or your controllers equivalent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pendragon Sailing Posted September 1, 2023 Author Share Posted September 1, 2023 Thanks Chaps.I have tried to reset the decoder (which I believe it to be a Dapol Imperium) on the Test Board in both Programming Track Mode and POM Mode, and neither seems to have any effect. The decoder remains completely indifferent to any commands from the controller. I’m having to conclude, therefore, that its a dead one. One for the bin, then.Thanks for you suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted September 1, 2023 Share Posted September 1, 2023 Imperiums are reputed to be LiaisDCC decoders, which are known to be knock off reverse engineered units, thus of dubious quality and reliability, although cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted September 1, 2023 Share Posted September 1, 2023 I have had issues with some decoders where you cannot change the CV values. The ones I have had issues with are Gaugemaster and DCC Concepts. Sometimes it is because they have "stay alive" but other times I could not work out why. In the end I just used them for testing locos, after I had rewired them. Surprisingly LaisDCC give me the least issues, they suffer from DC "run away" but compared to a lot of others I have used they aren't that bad. I found Imperiums work best in Dapol locos, they seem to be a bit jerky at low speeds on steam locos. Hornby and Zimo seem to give me the least issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashbang Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 HiDapol Imperium decoder are reset to manufacturer defaults including address to 03 by entering CV8 and a value of 4. See Dapol Imperium manual, a copy can be found here ...https://wicknessmodels.co.uk/slarti/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Imperium_instructions.pdfThe decoder may also be locked, if so, carry out the unlocking settings..... CV15 = 0 CV16 =1.Edit to correct typo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pendragon Sailing Posted September 2, 2023 Author Share Posted September 2, 2023 HiDapol Imperium decoder are reset to manufacturer defaults including address to 03 by entering CV8 and a value of 4. See Dapol Imperium manual, a copy can be found here ...https://wicknessmodels.co.uk/slarti/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Imperium_instructions.pdfThe decoder may also be locked, if so, carry out the unlocking settings..... CV15 = 0 CV16 =1.Edit to correct typo. Thanks @Flashbang. I tried all of those measures, but to no avail. The decoder is now in the bin 🫤 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ntpntpntp Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 Did the decoder work on DC (ie. the processor was alive and the output FETs not blown up) ? Could you read the decoder on the programming track? If it's blown an output it can't produce acknowledgements or CV value data. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now