GAUGEMASTER PRODIGY ADVANCE

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• STATIONARY ACCESSORY DECODER

• 3 amp with NEW programmable delay

( CASCADING effect for easy ROUTE operation)

Thank you for choosing the PRODIGY ADVANCE DCC Stationary

Accessory Decoder. This decoder is an NMRA compatible Accessory Decoder. You

must use PRODIGY ADVANCE or other DCC systems that support CV programming and have Accessory Decoder

function capability. The PRODIGY ADVANCE Stationary Accessory Decoder comes with 4 pairs of outputs. Think of it

as 4 Decoders in 1, each having it’s own sub-address. The pairs are labeled as A, B, C and D (see Diagram 1A)

Each sub-decoder has three terminal connectors labeled OUTPUT 1, COMMON and OUTPUT 2 (see Diagram 1A).

These terminal connectors go to the accessory or point motor.

PRODIGY ADVANCE - DCC30 Stationary Accessory Decoder

DIAGRAM 1b

RED WIRE

FROM DCC TRACK

OUTPUT 1

COM

OUTPUT 2

OUTPUT 1

COM

OUTPUT 2

OUTPUT 1

COM

OUTPUT 2

OUTPUT 1

OUTPUT 2

COM

RED WIRE

TO ACCESSORY TO ACCESSORY

FROM POWER SUPPLY

16v AC INPUT

FROM DCC TRACK

CV515 CV516

CV517 CV518

DIAGRAM 1a

DCC unit or your track rails closest to the decoder, and the lower 2 input terminals marked “from DCC

track” (see Diagram 1A). Then, using an external 16v AC power supply (such as a GAUGEMASTER M1),

connect its 2 output wires to the upper two input terminals marked 16v AC. The quantity and type of ac-

cessories will determine the requirements of your 16v power supply.

2. If you want the DCC signal to power your accessories, run 2 wires between your DCC unit or your track

rails closest to the decoder, and the lower 2 input terminals, and then jump them from the two lower input

terminals to the upper two input terminals (see Diagram 1B). Remember, if you use this method to power

your accessories, you will have less power to operate your trains (Diagram 1B)

Do not apply any power to these terminals as it will

damage the decoder.

This decoder gets it’s power and DCC signal from

your PRODIGY ADVANCE BASE UNIT or through the

track rails. It can also power your accessories from

DCC track power or any external 16v AC power

supply. It is ALWAYS better to power your accesso-

ries with an external power supply so your DCC

system utilises its full power to run your trains.

This decoder also rectifies the AC power, so accesso-

ries requiring DC current, such as slow motion DC

point motors or LED’s, do not need a separate DC

power supply.

CONNECTING YOUR DCC SYSTEM TO THE DECODER

There are 4 input terminals on the decoder board

(see Diagram 1A).

1. If you do not want the DCC signal to power

any accessories, run 2 wires between your

Need help?

Do you have a question about the GAUGEMASTER PRODIGY ADVANCE and is the answer not in the manual?

Summary

Stationary Accessory Decoder Overview

Connecting Your DCC System

How to connect the DCC system and power supply to the decoder for operation.

Connecting to DC Accessories

Using LEDs and Slow Motion Point Motors

Guidance on using LED's and slow motion point motors with decoder output pairs.

Decoder Programming

Decoder CVs and Mapping

Explains the Control Variables (CVs) and their mapping for decoder configuration.

Programming Address CV513

Instructions for programming the main address (CV513) of the accessory decoder.

Programming Output Modes

How to set output modes for pairs A, B, C, and D using specific CVs.

Connecting to Twin Coil Point Motors

Procedure for connecting the decoder to twin coil point motors.

Cutting Red Wire for Twin Coil Motors

Modifying the decoder for twin coil point motors by cutting the red wire.

Advanced Operation and Features

Programming on Main Track

How to program decoder CVs on the main track using OPS mode.

Operating with Prodigy Advance

Steps to operate the decoder using the Prodigy Advance controller interface.

Programming Time Delays

Setting individual delays for outputs for cascading or route effects.

Setting Up Routes

Guidance on setting up routes with accessories using the DCC system.

Warranty and Repair Information

Details regarding warranty, customer support, and repair procedures.

The PRODIGY ADVANCE DCC30 Stationary Accessory Decoder is an NMRA-compatible accessory decoder designed to control various accessories on a model railway layout. It functions as four decoders in one, each with its own sub-address, allowing for versatile control of multiple accessories. The decoder can be powered either directly from the DCC track rails or by an external 16V AC power supply, with the latter being recommended to preserve the DCC system's power for running trains. A key feature is its ability to rectify AC power, eliminating the need for separate DC power supplies for accessories like slow-motion DC point motors or LEDs.

Function Description

The decoder provides four pairs of outputs, labeled A, B, C, and D, each corresponding to a sub-decoder. Each sub-decoder has three terminal connectors: OUTPUT 1, COMMON, and OUTPUT 2, which connect directly to the accessory or point motor. The main address of the decoder (CV513) is pre-programmed to #1 at the factory, with sub-addresses 1, 2, 3, and 4 automatically assigned to outputs A, B, C, and D, respectively. For additional decoders, their main addresses can be programmed to #5, #9, #13, and so on, with subsequent sub-addresses following suit.

The output mode for each pair of outputs (CV515 for Pair A, CV516 for Pair B, CV517 for Pair C, and CV518 for Pair D) can be set to one of three types:

Steady ON or Steady OFF (Latching): This mode is suitable for slow-motion point motors or for turning building lights ON or OFF. Programming the respective CV to a value of 0 or 128 sets this mode.
Momentary ON/OFF: Designed for twin-coil type point motors, this mode provides a momentary pulse. The turn-on time can be programmed from 0.1 seconds (value 1) to 12.7 seconds (value 127), with the duration being 0.1 times the programmed CV value. It is crucial to program the decoder to this mode before connecting twin-coil motors to prevent damage.
Alternating Flashing: This mode is ideal for level crossing lights, providing a variable flash rate. The flash rate is determined by the programmed CV value (N) between 129 and 255, calculated as 0.1 x (N - 128) seconds. For example, N=129 yields a 0.1-second flash rate, while N=133 results in a 0.5-second flash rate.

The decoder also supports a programmable time delay for each output (CV563 for output A, CV564 for output B, CV565 for output C, and CV566 for output D). This delay, ranging from 0.1 to 3 seconds (values 1 to 30), is useful for creating cascading effects in route settings.

Usage Features

Connecting the decoder involves either running two wires from the DCC unit or track rails to the lower two input terminals ("from DCC track") and connecting an external 16V AC power supply to the upper two input terminals ("16v AC INPUT"), or, if using DCC signal to power accessories, jumping the lower two input terminals to the upper two. The latter method, however, will reduce the power available for operating trains.

For slow-motion DC point motors or signal LEDs, the decoder's rectified DC output can be used directly. Ten 300-ohm resistors are included for use with these accessories. When connecting twin-coil AC point motors, it is imperative to reprogram the decoder to the momentary ON/OFF mode before connection to avoid burning out the motors. If the decoder is exclusively used for twin-coil point motors, a red wire on the board can be cut to automatically set the decoder for this type of motor.

Programming the decoder can be done on a program track using CV1 to CV6 as a mapping for CV513 to CV518, or on the main track (OPS mode programming) for CV515, CV516, CV517, and CV518, provided the main address is known. When setting routes, users should consult the PRODIGY ADVANCE User Manual. It is important to ensure that the power supply can handle the load when multiple accessories are activated simultaneously, especially with twin-coil point motors, as high current surges can trigger short-circuit protection in the DCC system.

Maintenance Features

The manual emphasizes the importance of correct programming, particularly for twin-coil point motors, to prevent damage to both the decoder and the motors. If a twin-coil motor is stiff or difficult to activate, the input value can be gradually increased from 1 to find the optimal setting, avoiding excessively high values that could cause overheating.

For technical support or if a decoder is believed to be faulty, users are advised to contact Gaugemaster by telephone in the first instance. If a return is necessary, the device should be sent via insured post and securely packed to the provided postal address. The PRODIGY ADVANCE user manual is available for download from the Gaugemaster website or can be obtained by sending a self-addressed envelope. The website also serves as a resource for additional technical information.