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Programming The Decoder Address
Service programming (SVC PRGM) of decoders is used to customize the performance of your
locomotive's decoder. Decoder programming is quick and easy and uses the dedicated
programming track.
Programming the decoder's address takes longer to explain than to actually perform the
operation. For this example, locomotive 2920 will be programmed to have the unique address of
2920. No other parameters will be changed. For easy remembering, we suggest using the
locomotive number.
Most modern decoders can have any address from 1 to 9999. If you are not sure, read the
decoder’s manual or contact the manufacturer for assistance.
Remember: the symbol m means to push and release the key shown. The displayed messages
will be shown and explained at each step.
m
The moment you push SVC PRGM, there is a test performed on the
locomotive’s decoder to test the type of decoder present in the
locomotive. But, if the Command Station can’t automatically
determine the decoder’s type, this message will first appear. Don’t
be scared of this - it simply means you have to tell the Command
Station what type of decoder is on the rails. Push the 3 key to
continue.
Note: Almost all modern decoders are a type 3. A type-3 decoder can also understand type-2
programming commands. For fastest programming, we recommend selecting type-3 even if
the Command Station can’t figure out the type decoder.
Once the type is recognized or manually selected, then you will see
the message below asking what you want to program.
m LOCO [ the SHOW key ]
Pressing the LOCO key instructs the Command Station to accept
up to four digits as the address to be sent to the locomotive on the
programming track. For this example the locomotive has a cab
number of 2920 so its address will be programmed to 2920.
Leading zeros are not required. Also, for this step, all 4 numbers
are shown on a single line.
m2, m9, m2, m 0, mENT
Upon pressing the ENT key, you will see the yellow PROGRAM
LED turn on followed by several flashes of the green OK LED
when the loco acknowledges receipt of the programming.
This completes the programming step. Push the ESC key to return to the home page.
m ESC
Note: while the display may seem to indicate the decoder “took” the programming,
that is not the meaning of this message. This message simply means the programming
SVC PRGM
Program Track
Program What?
Decoder Type=2
ENT=OK or 1,2,3
Program Track
Loco Addr ____?
Program Track
Loco Addr 2920?
Progm address OK
PrmPT:What else?
When programming the locomotive decoder address, some other setup
information is automatically programmed into the decoder. This is
discussed in great detail in the advanced topics section. For now, just let
the Command Station automatically handle all of the decoder setup
chores for you.
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