Programming First Generation Challenger

[Roger Holmes]

I have an Athearn Challenger from the first run--with sound.  I could never even program so much as the road number but I just purchased a Digitrax programming booster to do some G scale programming.  I tried the Challenger tonight (using Radio Super Chief with DT-400 PLUGGED IN).  Direct mode.

I can now program a two digit address but would really like to use the four digit cab number.  Most decoders are preset to accept two or four digit addresses.  Is there a separate CV that I need to change?

Thanks.

[Philip H]

Your Digitrax should give you a long address and short address options - they are normally independent of the CVs.  Of course I run on NCE, which I find way more intuitive for this stuff then all those buttons.

[C855B]

Press [PROG] until in "Pg" mode, press-click right-hand throttle knob to enter 4-digit ("ad4=") mode. Enter address, press [ENTER]. [EXIT] and try it.

Very intuitive. 

Digitrax needs to put a coupon in every box for a free copy of JMRI.   

[Philip H]

Very intuitive. 

Digitrax needs to put a coupon in every box for a free copy of JMRI.   

HA HA HA HA HA!

[Roger Holmes]

I should have mentioned that I tried the four digit address which didn't work.  Most newer decoders are pre-programmed to do that automatically.  Older decoders required changing a higher numbered CV to do that.  This is a first generation Challenger and IIRC the sound decoder is MRC.

I am looking for the idiosyncrasy of the MRC decoder which would allow me to input a four digit address.  It is something independent of what digital system I am using.

[robert3985]

It's been a while but I believe you use Ops mode on your mainline (the MRC decoder needs the extra voltage) for programming your early Challengers and BB's equipped with the POS MRC decoder.  Just acquire your Challenger using the two digit address, then go into Ops mode and do your Digitrax thing.  That worked for me. 

Seems that it took a couple of tries for the new address to "take".  The MRC POS decoders in the early run BB's and Challengers were/are notoriously difficult to program.

Then, when your tender is melting as your MRC POS decoder is frying inside it, be prepared to spend another hundred bucks on a tender replacement from Athearn.

Best bet is to plan on buying and installing a Soundtraxx Tsunami TSU 4664N decoder and chit-canning the MRC POS along with the funky wireless remote.  It's easy and worth the cost and effort as it is exponentially better than the MRC POS from sound quality, reliability and running aspects.

[Cajonpassfan]

Best bet is to plan on buying and installing a Soundtraxx Tsunami TSU 4664N decoder and chit-canning the MRC POS along with the funky wireless remote.  It's easy and worth the cost and effort as it is exponentially better than the MRC POS from sound quality, reliability and running aspects.

 
Roger, that is sound advice, if you can find the TSU 4664N. They are no longer made and I wish a had bought an extra when they were....
Good luck, Otto K.

[robert3985]

 
Roger, that is sound advice, if you can find the TSU 4664N. They are no longer made and I wish a had bought an extra when they were....
Good luck, Otto K.

Otto, do you know something I don't? (which is more than likely)  Soundtraxx still has them listed here: http://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/tsunami/TSU4664N.php If they've got a few in inventory, then I'll be ordering through my LHS (it's cheaper) to get two or three of 'em.

[NCDaveD]

I ordered one of the TSU 466N decoders from Litchfield Station (http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/home.php )earlier this week, but cannot find it on their website any longer. Tony's Train Exchange (http://www.tonystrains.com/products/soundtraxx_tsunami.htm go all the way to the bottom of the page and under the Micro Tsunami Drop In box, where it says "select one", the Athearn Challenger is the only one listed in the drop down box.) apparantly has them.

I have recieved billing confirmation, but no shipping confirmation from Litchfield. Think I'll make a quick call to confirm availability when they open today.

NCDaveD

[Cajonpassfan]

Dave please do let us know, because I've been looking for one without success. I even paid for two of them by PayPal from an Internet shop which had them listed as available only to learn they are not. Hopefully I'll get a refund...
Robert, Soundtraxx discontinued production some time ago and list 826003 as replacement
...that of course is their standard Micro Heavy, not a direct replacement, and lists for 20 bucks more than the 4664N. Shoulda bought some while I cudda....
Otto K.

[Cajonpassfan]

Oh, I did confirm with Soundtraxx by phone the 4664N's are no longer made; very few sales....
Otto

[NCDaveD]

I just got a refund notice via email from Litchfield, so no joy there. I tried calling Tony's, but couldn't get through. Guess they are kind of busy. I went ahead and placed an order with them, just in case. Hopefully they have one somewhere on their shelves.

Yep Otto, wish I had purchased earlier.....

David D.

[NCDaveD]

Quicky update...I still haven't been able to contact Tony's to confirm they have them, so I started hitting all the online shops and was able to score one from Mainline Hobby Supply in PA. It was their last one, and she had it in her hand to confirm it's existance before I ordered it. 

If Tony comes through, I will either put it in my Athearn Big Boy, or put it up for sale for what it cost me.

David D.

To original poster.... Please accept my sincerest apologies for the Thread Hijack. I did get carried away when I realized my Challenger's tender was at risk...

[Roger Holmes]

As to the original question of programming my Challenger with MRC decoder, a bit more research turned up a thread on TB.

http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?107401-Is-there-a-trick-to-programming-the-Athearn-Challenger-(N-scale)

Of particular interest is a post in that thread by jrwirt on 3/4/09 in which he explains in great detail why you can't change CV's in OPS mode that control four-digit addressing.  He also explained why an engine jerks or chirps while accepting programming commands and why some CV's take longer to read back.  Fascinating stuff to learn after 15+ years in DCC.

I will try the suggestions tonight and post my results.

Onward!

[Cajonpassfan]

Quicky update...I still haven't been able to contact Tony's to confirm they have them, so I started hitting all the online shops and was able to score one from Mainline Hobby Supply in PA. It was their last one, and she had it in her hand to confirm it's existance before I ordered it. 

If Tony comes through, I will either put it in my Athearn Big Boy, or put it up for sale for what it cost me.

David D.

Well dang, I was in line first....  If Tony does come through, I'm definitely interested.
Otto K.