Function Decoder c/w 2 Servos and 2 LEDs

[sidetraxx77]

Hi all, I am very new to DIY DCC, and I have researched it a lot. I found a function decoder design online and purchased all of the components. I am no electronic guru, so I had to do some research on most of the components I bought as well. The design came from Paco's Official Web Site. The link is: usuaris.tinet.cat/fmco/home_en.htm .

I prototyped the decoder on a breadboard first, downloaded the HEX file and programmed the PIC, the PIC is PIC12F629. I hope it is ok that I mentioned the website I got the design from?

I have a Digitrax DCS100, PR3 Xtra and a PTB100. I connect the prototyped decoder to the PTB100, connect the PR3 Xtra to my computer where I have JMRI installed and updated to v4.4.

When I try to have JMRI identify the decoder, the servo (I only have one installed at this time) wiggles, then after a few moments I get "Stopping due to error: no acknowledge from locomotive (308)".

Does anyone know where I am going wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I would like to have this running for the Train Show my club is arranging, and I will be participating in this October. I plan to use this decoder for boxcar DCC uncoupling.

Best regards,

sidetraxx77

[suzie]

Hi Sidetraxx...

I just had a look at Paco's site, and looking at the design there does not appear to be any acknowledgement built in to the decoder, so the programmer is likely to display an error message. Try programming in direct mode and see how you get on, you are unlikely to be able to program in page mode. Just because you get an error message does not mean that the programming is unsuccessful.