More about Decoder Read Back
Not all decoders support the read back feature. Although Prodigy Express has read back functions, it may
still fail to read back the decoders. This does not mean that your Prodigy Express is defective. No DCC sys-
tem in the world is able to read all decoders 100%. This will not affect the operation of the decoder because
you are always able to program your decoder.
NOTE: The Prodigy Express will display the loco’s active address which could be it’s consist address if acti-
vated.
Configuration Variables – CVs
Configuration Variables, also known as CVs, receive and hold entered data that allow the decoder to be
tailored to a specific loco or accessory. Some CVs are also called registers. The Prodigy Express DCC sys-
tem allows you to perform most basic programming without having to concern yourself with CVs or regis-
ters. Of course, if you want to program CVs to custom tailor your decoders or select certain functions, the
Prodigy Express has this capability.
Most Commonly Used CVs
The CVs listed on the chart are contained in almost all decoders, with additional CVs for extra functions –
sound or light – in more specialized decoders. See the decoder manufacturer’s instruction manual for a list
of CVs contained in that specific decoder and what values to enter for those CVs.
A Word About CV #29
CV29 is the most important CV of the decoder. Improperly programming the CV29 may cause decoder mal-
function. We do not recommend you program CV29 yourself because the unit will take care of it for you in
most cases. When you program your decoder’s address with Prodigy Express, it will automatically program
CV29. If you want to reverse the loco’s polarity or set 14 speed steps, you have to reprogram CV29 after
programming the loco’s address. Please use the following table to reprogram CV29.
More About Programming Locomotive Address on the Program Track or Main Track
To program a locomotive address involves programming a series of CVs such as CV1, CV17, CV18, CV19
and CV29. This can be somewhat complicated. For most decoders, Prodigy Express automatically handles
this for you when programming the loco address. However, it may fail to program some old decoders and
some new sound decoders made by QSI®. It does not mean that you cannot program these decoders. It
only means you cannot use the Prodigy Express’s easy address programming feature. For QSI® decoders
please refer to your decoder’s manual and use CV programming to program the loco address.
Prodigy Express' default setting CV29 = 2 CV29 = 34
Change polarity only CV29 = 3 CV29 = 35
Change to 14 speed steps only CV29 = 0 CV29 = 32
Change polarity & 14 speed steps CV29 = 1 CV29 = 33
CV # Register # Function
1 1 Short address
2 2 Start voltage
3 3 Acceleration rate (momentum)
4 4 Deceleration rate (momentum)
5 --- Top voltage
6 --- Mid voltage
7 --- Manufacturer version #
8 --- Manufacturer ID #
17 --- Extended address - upper & lower bytes, 4 digit addresses
18 --- Extended address - upper & lower bytes, 4 digit addresses
19 --- Advance consist
29 5 Configuration data #1
For some old decoders, you have to skip the Addr programming and use the CV program mode to program
CV29 with a value of 2 and CV1 with a short address (1-127). Detailed steps are as follows:
1. Press Prog to select Prog Prog Track
2. Press Enter six times until CV# displays on the screen
3. To select CV29, press 29 and Enter
4. CV data displays. Press 2 and Enter
5. CV# displays again. Select CV1 by pressing 1 then press Enter
6. CV data displays. Press the loco address (1-127) and then Enter
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