Programming Decoders
The Prodigy Express allows you to easily program most NMRA compatible decoders. It guides you step by
step through the programming process. No hexadecimal numbers are needed, to program decoders with
this system. The Prodigy Express allows you to program decoders on a separate Program Track or on the
Main Track layout, all without affecting any other locos operating on the Main Track.
Decoder Terminology
Note: Before you start programming, please familiarize yourself with the following terminology.
Loco Address:
The address is the number assigned to a decoder to identify the decoder.
Start Voltage:
This is the voltage required to start the loco’s motor and overcome its weight and friction to
make it begin to move. You can program your loco with a start voltage so that it will begin to move as soon
as the throttle is turned.
Top Voltage:
The top voltage (top speed) is the voltage (speed) at full throttle.
Acceleration Rate:
This rate simulates the drag of a heavy load as the loco speeds up so when you in-
crease the speed setting, the loco will gradually increase its speed.
Deceleration Rate:
This rate simulates the drag of a heavy load as the loco slows down so when you de-
crease the speed setting, the loco will gradually decrease its speed.
Programming Loco on the Program Track
1. Place the loco on the Program Track. Press
PROG
to select “Prog Prog Track”. Press
ENTER
.
2. First, “Adr” will flash, prompting you to program the loco address. Using
0 - 9
, enter the loco address fol-
lowed by
ENTER
, or press
ENTER
to skip.
Note: For the beginner or if you want to only program the loco address, you can stop right here.
Put
the loco back on the Main Track. Select the loco by pressing
LOCO
then enter the loco address and press
ENTER
. Now you can run the loco.
3. Next, “SV” will flash, prompting you to program the Start Voltage. Input data and then press
ENTER
.
4. Next, “Acc” will flash, prompting you to program the acceleration rate. Input data and then press
ENTER
.
5. Next, “dEc” will flash, prompting you to program the deceleration rate. Input data and then press
ENTER
.
6. Next, “TV” will flash, prompting you to program the Top Voltage. Input data then press
ENTER
.
7. Finally, “CV#” will flash, prompting you to program a CV (Configuration Variable).
At this point, you have already finished most of the decoder programming.
You can stop programming here by pressing
ENTER
.
8. If you want to program a CV, enter a CV number. Press
ENTER
. Then enter CV data. Press
ENTER
.
“CV#” will flash again, prompting you to program another CV. To skip, press
ENTER
.
Note
Programming a CV with incorrect data can cause a decoder malfunction.
Read your decoder manual carefully before programming a CV
Programming Locos on the Main Track
Programming on the Main Track can save you the effort of moving a loco to the Program Track for pro-
gramming. However, you have to know the loco address in order to program on the Main Track. Otherwise
you have to program the loco on the Program Track. Not all decoders support the Program on Main feature.
Please read your decoder’s manual to check whether the decoder supports this feature.
1. To program on the Main Track, press
PROG
to select “Prog Main Track”.
Press
ENTER
. The current loco address will flash, prompting you to program the current loco.
2. To program the current loco, press
ENTER
; to program another loco, enter its address and
press
ENTER
.
3. The rest of the programming procedures are the same as the Programming on Program Track proce-
dures (see above). We recommend you bring the loco to a stop before programming because if the moving
loco has a bad pickup, it may fail to receive the program command, causing a malfunction.
PROG CV ON MAIN
button will give you direct access to the current loco’s CV programming
Reading Loco’s Decoder Values on the Program Track
The Prodigy Express DCC system gives you the ability to read back CV values of a decoder equipped loco
on the Program Track. This feature is useful if you do not remember the decoder address or what CV val-
ues your decoder has. Not all decoders support this feature. Please read your decoder’s manual to check
whether it supports this feature.
1. Place the loco on the Program Track.
2. Press
PROG
to select “rEAd Prog Track” then press
ENTER
.
3. First, “Adr” will flash, prompting you to read the loco address. Press
ENTER
to read,
this might take several second. If the decoder does not support read back feature, you will receive an
“Err” (Error message).