sprog 2 and 3

Sprogs, have two, know nothing about them. Does anyone use them. Can i change/ read CVS with them thanks. john

Ah, I thought you were referring to kids, so assumed you must had sold, disowned or perhaps forgot where you'd put them! Easily done and while they may know how to change CVs, I wouldn't count on it!

Watching this one with baited breath.

Bon courage John,

Bill 

Hi John,

I keep both types well away from the layout.

Nigel

No kids just disabled 75 year old struggling. My Hornby Elite won’t change the cv03 of my MTH loco POM on main. Can’t use prog track, not powerfulenough. Need another way to change Cv, back to fact settings, Hence idea of using Sprog. However never used a Sprog,John7

User guides here:

http://www.sprog-dcc.co.uk/about_sprogII.shtml

Hope this helps John.

Bill

MTH decoders are a pain, just ask Max !

Trouble is, their cab Chatter, is magnificent. worth the hassle from time to time, just to have this, in my view. Plus the fact that they run with sound on my DC layout. Spoke to Tech guys at MTH, who said loco was confused and needed a reset. Hopefully i can achieve that on my Elite. Time, and a lot of bad temper, will tell

Hi John,

I believe the NMRA spec for programming is 250 mA, my NCE PowerCab system uses that for initiating sound decoders and 160 mA constant for non-sound decoders. No booster required. SPROG is at 250 mA (300 mA nominal for 100 ms). Same as other power boosters. What does the Elite use? Should be 250 mA or less. You might be wasting time and money. 

Try leaving the loco on the powered running track for 30 minutes to charge up any capacitors, leaving it for at least 30 seconds after changing CVs (even if it says unreadable when changing) with the power on, or even turning the engine 180 degrees on the track before programming. All have been tried.

MTH decoders are sort of NMRA compliant. Older ones less, newer ones more. DIfferent approach, they are primarily an O gauge company, the decoders started life there. Most modelers here replace them with NMRA compliant ones. 

Nigel

Hi, tis an iiritant as it wont move off 03. Runs a treat on DC, and sound works. Need somehow to set it back to factory settings by changing/ selecting cv55. Hence my thought about a sprog. I have a DCS, controller, but even that shows as error

Have you thought about using JMRI Decoderpro on your computer with the Sprog ?  In Decoderpro you choose Sprog Dcc in the settings and then you should be able to access all cv settings. I THINK the sprog II connects via usb and the original sprog via serial port ?  But I'm sure a quick look at the two you have will give you the connections you need
JMRI is a free program useful for both programming AND running your layout. I'm just starting out with it connected via my Z21 (mainly for the cv programming side)

Cheers

Matt

KB1016: MTH Decoder Reset
If you have already tried it needs to go back to MTH or a service center.

Nigel

Hi, There is no service centre, in france. Cost to insure/ post to usa,   not practical. I really need someone who can program on the main. My hornby controller, not a lot of help. Cant use prog track, with MTH locos.

Hi John

MTH (Mike's Train House), "DCC" system is essentially a stand alone system.  It's not NMRA compliant, but can be manipulated.  I've had some success using my Lenz system, but even then it's not straightforward.

Last time I tried, I received email assistance from MTH customer service, who talked me through the process to the point where I had the loco sort of operating.

There is a fellow here in Adelaide, who has an MTH command system.  It works well using MTH stock.

The idea is that MTH has captive customers once they buy the MTH command system. 

The rest of us should avoid them like The Plague.  Sorry.

Hi Max, yup, i have a DCS controller for my other MTH locos.  This one was the same when i bought it, new, but been standing on shelf for some time. It would do nothing, then ran on DC, with the sounds. Finally, using Elite, on POM, it was fine. That was until it stopped this week. Now all is back to where it was.  I am extremely pro the cab Chatter and sounds these locos have, so, will carry on, hoping to find a local solution. john

I would add, that before buying an MTH control systems, these locos ran  perfectly.  I do not subscribe to the captive market, as they are now being sold throughout europe. The later prosound ones, are pretty happy on DCC.

Yes, John.  It all changes over time.  I was responding to Sol's comment.  I did have a lot of trouble back when I tried to program an MTH decoder with the Lenz DCC system.

I was considering taking the loco to my friend with the DCS MTH system, but the MTH customer service people were so helpful that I persevered.

I hope that you can find help somewhere.

I would expect that, given the number of complaints that they were receiving back them, they have probably responded to make their decoders work with the rest of the world.

It's a very interesting subject.  Keep us posted.

My email is worleyheather@aol.com.  I have plugged in sprog 2 set up track etc, turned on decoder pro.  Could some kind soul list the next steps in idiot proof english, as whatever i try does nothing. I want to POM. thanks. john

I cant get past please select a loco from the roster first. I entered my loco name, make, 03, etc, but when i press program, back comes. please select etc. Frustrating