Cannot program a HM6010 in DCC mode with an address.

[Neil-370869]

I have a Hornby Elite DCC controller and a HM6010 which I'm trying get to work together. I connected the HM6010 (without the 12v mains adapter connected) to the track program terminals in the Elite. Following the accessories programming procedure I set the address to 61 and wrote the address to the HM6010. The red LED flashes on the HM6010, but when I try to read the address back I get XXX and I'm not able to control any points from the Elite. I've done resets of both devices, firmware on both is up to date. In Blutooth mode the HM6010 works perfectly, the issue seems to be the inability to set an address for the HM6010 from the Elite but I don't know why. So I would be very grateful for any help with solving this problem.

[Fishmanoz]

When RAF96 sees this and provides the answer, he will probably also move the topic to the correct HM | DC forum where it will be easier to find for future reference for people with the same problem.

[LTSR_NSE]

Since this thread is seeking help with configuring/using a HM6010 in a purely DCC environment - this seems the appropriate sub-forum.

Happy to be corrected (& have this post deleted) if I’ve misunderstood!

[Fishmanoz]

I get this logic. However, given the HM6010 operates differently depending on how it is both powered and controlled, I think it important to keep it in the HM | DC context.

Just as HM7000 DCC questions are kept in the HM | DCC forum.

[96RAF]

You have provided your own answer in part. Although to operate the 6010 in DCC mode it has to have a DCC supply on the track terminals, for programming purposes it must be connected to the Prog terminals, same as any other decoder. Your Elite is sending to Prog and your 6010 is listening on Track.

Download the R8247 version 2.0 manual and use the intent of that to program your 6010.

Note when you read back the given address you will get the group address not the port address.

Can I please ask why you are using a 6010 in DCC mode (as you mention works in Bluetooth mode) and if you intend to use it will an app - either HM | DC or HM | DCC. Also why you are using address 61, are you using a Select as Walkabout to your Elite.

Once we get the full context of the question we can give a more directed answer and put this thread in the right area.

[Neil-370869]

So, sorry for the wait in getting back to you with some answers. I should explain that I'm relatively new to this hobby and the technology that goes with it, especially DCC. I'm not new to model making however, having done RC scale model boats and aircraft in the past. Having a lot of time at home during the pandemic I bought the Hornby ITraveller train set, I liked the idea of using Bluetooth to control the model and I had an old ipad I could dedicate to the task.

So I set up a small layout and at a later date I added more track and the HM6010 for points control. As a DC layout controlled via Bluetooth it worked great, I found it enjoyable and decided to build a more permanent layout on a shelves on three walls of a room, I can't build a complete loop around all four walls but a layout with various routes would be interesting with everything controlled by DCC.

DCC and its concepts were new to me so I thought I should study it and understand the technology first. I bought the Elite controller and a second hand locomotive that I could install a DCC decoder in and try it out on the small layout. I setup a programming track and soon had the loco running on the layout. Then I tried to program the HM6010 for DCC and ran into the problems describe in my first post.

I tried to program the HM6010 using the instructions for the R8247 as advised and it made no difference at all. I connected the HM6010 to the Elites program terminals directly with a pair of cables with nothing else in the circuit and tried programming again without success. Getting nowhere I decided to order an R8247 Point and Accessory Decoder, which came yesterday. Following the instructions I was able to connect it up, program it with group address 1, connected the point motor to outlet 1 and successfully switched the points from the Elite. Tested the point motor on the three other outlets as well, all functioned correctly.

Having proven to myself that I'm programming correctly and that both Elite and the point motor are working ok I tried the HM6010 again. With just the HM6010 connected to the prog terminals of the Elite I wrote a group address of 1 then tried to read it back, but I got XXX again. I was able to read back the group address on the R8247 when it was connected to the prog terminals.

I decided to test the HM6010 on DC Bluetooth control (I still have the DC loco). I set up the layout for use with the HM6000 and app control via Bluetooth. As I'm sure you know the blue LEDs on both devices should flash blue when unconnected then go solid blue when connected via Bluetooth, but I found that while the HM6000 would function correctly the blue LED on the HM6010 would only flash for a few seconds then go off completely, I now can't connect using Bluetooth to it.

I used the reset button to clear all settings as per the instructions, this did initially cause the blue LED to slow flash but it quickly goes off, neither Bluetooth or DCC programming would work afterwards. I can only conclude the HM6010 is faulty, unless there are any other suggestions I could try, but I don't see what?

[96RAF]

Without revisiting my posts to see if I already covered this - to invoke DCC powered features you need to install v1.10.0 firmware to the 6010 which has to be done using the HM|DCC app. In the HM|DC app the max available version is v1.6.3 which does not support DCC powering.

You should delete the device from the DC app before trying to find it on the DCC app. If it still fails to connect after being called out for a manual (button) reset then likely it has failed but to date not many have been reported as such.