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Post by bnsf971 on Jul 13, 2012 14:32:19 GMT -8
Okay, I sent it in today--again. I enclosed a copy of my original complaint sheet, and added two words: FIX IT!!! We'll see. I'm with ya Terry, though I'd have probably added..... or REPLACE IT!!  I heard back from Digitrax today. They are replacing the unit. They have no idea why it's doing what it's doing, and they are sending a new replacement, so they can science out what's going on with it. So, I guess the original Zephyr did have an incurable problem. With any luck, the replacement will work like it should. If not, I'll Ebay it, and get something else. |
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Post by rhpd42002 on Jul 15, 2012 7:45:23 GMT -8
I've been absent for several days, Terry. Glad to hear that it's being replaced. I do hope it works like it's supposed to.
Keep us posted.
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Post by carl160 on Jul 15, 2012 10:22:31 GMT -8
I am writing this on Sunday.I hope when you get the new one, you will make a video showing how you set it up, and use it, from the time it leaves the box. Also,take a chance, and run the same train, over the same switch, to see if the problem repeats itself.
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Post by bnsf971 on Jul 15, 2012 17:08:58 GMT -8
I am writing this on Sunday.I hope when you get the new one, you will make a video showing how you set it up, and use it, from the time it leaves the box. Also,take a chance, and run the same train, over the same switch, to see if the problem repeats itself. I don't see why I can't.The train is still sitting on the same track, and all I should have to do is plug in the new Zephyr and let it rip. |
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Post by bnsf971 on Jul 18, 2012 14:49:25 GMT -8
Well, some of the problems are fixed...  It no longer shuts down when there's a momentary short. It no longer adds random addresses when it feels like it. But, it will not purge addresses. I can manually delete an address, but the "prog, switch, 036, write, exit" method does nothing but increase my blood pressure. I did make a video, and I can upload it and link to it later. |
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Post by rhpd42002 on Jul 18, 2012 16:40:26 GMT -8
So close, yet so far..........  I'll check out the link when you post it.
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Post by bnsf971 on Jul 19, 2012 7:47:46 GMT -8
So close, yet so far.......... I'll check out the link when you post it. Okay, I called Digitrax this morning. Since I'm not feeling good, I am not in the best of moods. After begging me to not reach through the phone and strangle somebody, one of the support guys realized "36" is not the proper code for purging addresses in all DCS51s. In spite of what it says in the manual, you are supposed to enter "39" instead of what it says. I did, and it works like it should. Yay. Now, I am going to lie on the couch for the afternoon. |
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Post by rhpd42002 on Jul 19, 2012 15:54:00 GMT -8
Sorry to hear you feel so bad, Terry, but sure am glad that you didn't have to reach through the phone and strangle somebody!! ;D
At least the tech guy had a light come on and got you on the "right track".
Sure do hope whatever ails ya goes away quick!!
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Post by bnsf971 on Jul 19, 2012 16:37:50 GMT -8
Sure do hope whatever ails ya goes away quick!! My wife is a nurse, and she started a new job a couple of weeks ago. She'll bring home everything that's going around for the first year... Cough. Gack, wheeze... |
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Post by rhpd42002 on Jul 24, 2012 5:30:21 GMT -8
Sure do hope whatever ails ya goes away quick!! My wife is a nurse, and she started a new job a couple of weeks ago. She'll bring home everything that's going around for the first year... Cough. Gack, wheeze... Well, Terry, maybe you'll have immunity to almost everything after that 1st year!! ;D  |
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Post by carl160 on Jul 24, 2012 15:46:26 GMT -8
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Post by bnsf971 on Aug 11, 2012 18:02:58 GMT -8
Very funny... Okay, the replacement Zephyr started doing the same thing as the first bad one. I fixed it today--permanently. I now have a Super Empire Builder. The Zephyr will be decorating a shelf for the foreseeable future. I'd sell it, but don't want the bad karma. |
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Post by rhpd42002 on Aug 12, 2012 13:34:21 GMT -8
Terry,
Words escape me!!
That's just GOT to suck so badly........
I do hate it for you.
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Post by steveturner on Oct 5, 2012 10:26:15 GMT -8
Sw 36 clears addresses only.............Sw 39 clears everything back to factory setting as if not used and also no addresses. Sw 39 does not clear adresses only. You have to have Sw 36 because once its full your not going to reset Zephyr each time! that would be idiotic! Steve
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Post by bnsf971 on Oct 6, 2012 4:11:07 GMT -8
Sw 36 clears addresses only.............Sw 39 clears everything back to factory setting as if not used and also no addresses. Sw 39 does not clear adresses only. You have to have Sw 36 because once its full your not going to reset Zephyr each time! that would be idiotic! Steve Steve, that is what I had to do, each and every time. "36" would do nothing, not clearaddresses, or anything. As an update, I am now using the Zephyr as a booster/extra throttle. As such, the very sensitive shutting down problem is minimized, and I don't have to purge addresses. It is also the most expensive throttle I have ever had. I am primarily using it in my engiine service area. I do use it for occasional programming, when I do that, I unplug it from the loconet, and reset it to a command station. After I a, done, I set it back to being a booster, and plug the loconet cable back in. |
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Post by steveturner on Nov 23, 2012 18:49:28 GMT -8
Got new Xtra to replace original Zephyr so i have sound functions. Out of the box tested short!!!!!!!!!!!!No rolling 00000 as in manual and old zephyr all i get is 8888 and a complete shutdown..................power off and you have to push power button to power up. Posted on Digitrax forum and others came out of wood work with same issue. I got an earfull for posting my displeasure of quality control or lack of at Digitrax!!!!!!!. Anyways i guess its going back. I had to mail order as no stores around or i would have returned it to store. What got me was this has tobe widespread yet nothing has been said and Digitrax has had time to call back units on store shelves and in warhouse for modification!Pretty slack.Steve
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Post by steveturner on Nov 23, 2012 19:08:07 GMT -8
Well indeed Sw 36 does not clear addresses!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Post by bnsf971 on Nov 24, 2012 5:53:47 GMT -8
My DCS51 is now starting to give problems as a booster, as well. I think Monday I will give them a call(again) and tell them either fix it or send me something that works.
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Post by bnsf971 on Nov 28, 2012 9:28:29 GMT -8
I talked to the Digitrax people today, and they told me to send back the whole thing. I will test the replacement when it arrives, and let everybody know what the outcome is. If it did 't cost so much more than a dt402, I'd just tell them to snd me one of those as a replacemnt for the Zephyr I can't use.
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Post by rhpd42002 on Nov 28, 2012 15:34:38 GMT -8
Terry, I guess I got "lucky" with my system when I bought it back in '04 or '05. I haven't had any issues with my system, but it isn't the Zeyphr. I would still like to find an "old" Zephyr, as it seems the new ones are quite troublesome.
I sure do hope Digitrax will fix the problem(s).
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Post by bnsf971 on Nov 28, 2012 15:43:04 GMT -8
Terry, I guess I got "lucky" with my system when I bought it back in '04 or '05. I haven't had any issues with my system, but it isn't the Zeyphr. I would still like to find an "old" Zephyr, as it seems the new ones are quite troublesome. I sure do hope Digitrax will fix the problem(s). I had a Zephyr, and foolishly sold it to a friend when I got this "new & improved" Zephyr. My old one gave me zero problems, and the only reason I upgraded was to get the higher functions. This time, I used the "I've known the owner longer than you have" card, and got the promise of a complete replacement. I don't think it's right to have to resort to that sort of thing, but enough is enough. |
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Post by steveturner on Nov 28, 2012 23:31:14 GMT -8
I noticed on not clearing SW 36 and when you use Sw39 you never get the last SW used on screen when you push Sw i get a 1t.When you push Sw you are supposed to get the last SW used show on screen. I am having to use SW 39 to clear addresses. I am wondering if this issue even has anything todo with the short issue. Steve
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Post by bnsf971 on Nov 29, 2012 4:06:29 GMT -8
I'm not sure, but I bet it is also a prpgramming issue on their end. If they were going to be honest with us, the reason it shuts down rather than having the walking zero indication is probably when they boosted the power output, they are runnung at least one internal component so close to failure they had to program it to shut down.
I'm so disgusted with this thing, I think I'll sell it when I get the replacement back. Whether it works or not.
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Post by steveturner on Nov 29, 2012 9:35:14 GMT -8
The other major difference is the power supply the old one was AC the new one i believe DC. The not so funny thing is not everyone has the issue and those who do have total 8888 have a mix of hit and miss 0000 and 8888.Steve
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Post by bnsf971 on Dec 23, 2012 6:17:15 GMT -8
I sent off my Zephyr Xtra (again) when it began displaying the "FULL" message while acting as a booster. The support guy said that was impossible, but I got another new Zephyr in the mail Friday from Digitrax. After pondering what to do about this, I pulled the warranty paperwork out of the box, and took the new replacement Zephyr Xtra to my LHS, and traded it for a new locomotive.
This completely and permanently cures my incurable problem with the Zephyr. The new locomotive performs as expected, so no "ghosts of Zephyrs past". If anything ever happens to the replacement system I now have, I will probably get an NCE product.
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Post by steveturner on Jan 15, 2013 12:20:40 GMT -8
Digitrax now has firmware upgrade REV 4 for shorting issue on its site for download. See if that helps those with the short shutdown and no auto reset. Steve
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Post by bnsf971 on Jan 15, 2013 16:10:47 GMT -8
Digitrax now has firmware upgrade REV 4 for shorting issue on its site for download. See if that helps those with the short shutdown and no auto reset. Steve It may help others, but I no longer have a Zephyr. Also, IIRC, you have to buy special connectors and adapters to connect a pc to a Zephyr to do the update. |
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