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Post by steveturner on Nov 29, 2012 13:13:42 GMT -8
Well i spent a few days back and forth with Rich Businger and AJ Ireland on this issue. AJ Ireland concured there was an issue once he got it todo the the short on his bench. Mr Ireland came up with a firmware revision that will be a download from Digitrax hopefully soon known as REV4.Where to find it? Go to Digitrax seach firmware and it will take you to the all firmware upgrades look for the Zephyr Xtra.............there was a REV2 at one time. The problem as i am told was a timing problem of the short circuit section where some power supplies and Zephyr Xtras did not like each other...............not all sets were affected. This was not a hardware problem , a programming issue within the unit.I have downloaded the REV 4 as a trial and now get floating 0000 and reset....................if i short successive times i do get a shut down which maybe the power supply not liking the situation. Before i only got the 8888 period.The SW 36 issue was addressed! Sw 36 is apparently redundant in the Zephyr Xtra and was put into the manual by mistake. The Zephyr Xtra does not do SW36...............so i guess you use Sw39. The nice thing about thr firmware upgrade is many folks will be able to download it without sending Zephyr xtra in to Digitrax. The above is the jist of what i have been able to conclude from Digitrax and i was sent the download to try. Steve
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Post by bnsf971 on Nov 29, 2012 15:39:34 GMT -8
Steve, please keep us up to date if this fixes the problem. As you know, I have one of these that's having issues of its own.
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Post by rhpd42002 on Nov 29, 2012 17:09:36 GMT -8
Steve, While I'm not affected by this issue, I appreciate you looking into and sharing the information you've acquired.  |
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Post by steveturner on Nov 29, 2012 19:24:27 GMT -8
Heres the story. After reading the thread related to this reply, one on Model Railroader and then the Digitrax forum which i frequent i unpacked my new Xtra and guess what i had same issues. I phoned my dealer who said no one else had said anything but then again maybe folks have the issue but think the shut down is normal because not all folks read manuals. Anyways i apologised for a rant on the Digitrax forum.Many of you know me from old Atlas forum and i am just a normal kind of a guy having fun with trains and fuming was out of character for me. So i had an email into Digitrax service and a phone call and was treated nicely and received return e mail from service etc and was already to send Xtra in for what ever repairs required.........for short and no Sw36 clearing of addresses. Well a bit later i received e mail from Rich Businger who was concerned with these issues and had received copy of ongoing Digitrax chat regarding this problem.He was all over it .He had me do some tests regarding voltage etc from power pack and rail A and b terminals on unit.Next i had an E mail from AJ Ireland a well respected gent in DCC who said he got the Zephyr to short as stated by others. A couple days later he reported to me there was a timing issue on the short circuit and power supply or words to that effect. He sent me a firmware to try out REV4 which with luck on my side i was able to download with my LOCOBUFFER that i use for Decoder Pro. The REv 4 appears to have fixed the issue .................that being said if you continue to short time after time the unit will shut down Mr ireland thinking the power supply not happy with the situation. Its working for me as i never had 0000 and power stay on i had 8888 and power of period. I asked about the Sw36 and had a reply today.The SW 36 was not implemented into Zephyr Extra as in 1st generation Zephyr.The instructions however made it into the manual and should have not been there. I liked Sw36 but i guess you can exit a loco number or use SW39 but that clears everythng back to factory specs so if you had two Xtras one set as a booster and reverser that would be a pain as you would have to reprogramme those two SW functions.I dont see the wisdom in deleting and not implementing SW 36 but i at least got an answer and know that my unit is not faulty.Rich Businger and AJ Ireland worked hard on the short issue considering i am sure their plates are full of things todo. They both did a great job and i am sure these findings have now found their way to the tech repair department. It was stated that there was no hardware issues and that not all units are affected, only certain combos of power supplies and Z xtras that did not get along togther. Anyways tonight i am using the Z Xtra....................trying out the extra functions with some sound locos.Steve.................Mr Businger was on his way to a train show in OKC wherever that is , i am Canadian !!!!!!! and asked me to update Digitrax forum..................i thought it polite todo same here. He hopes the REV4 tobe available for download shortly.
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Post by bnsf971 on Nov 30, 2012 3:43:39 GMT -8
Steve, OKC is Oklahoma City. IIRC, it is the 3letter airport code for it.
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Post by gregw66 on Nov 30, 2012 5:46:28 GMT -8
I am about to buy a Zephyr Xtra in the new year and this is great information to have. Thank you.
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Post by bnsf971 on Nov 30, 2012 9:16:56 GMT -8
I am about to buy a Zephyr Xtra in the new year and this is great information to have. Thank you. The original Zephyrs were great. The new ones... To quote Scotty, "the more they overthink the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain". |
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