Support - Resets
Question: My decoder is acting erratically/My decoder won't respond - How do I reset my TCS decoder to factory settings?
Factory resets on ALL TCS decoders are performed by programming CV 8 with a value of 2.
NOTE: Any TCS decoder manufactured on or after July 1st of 2019 supports the use of values of 2 or 8 in CV 8 to perform a factory reset.
Before performing a factory reset, you may want to make you you have checked our section on Addressing first! In some situations, a full reset may not be necessary. If for example the issue(s) began after changing the decoder address, it is likely no other problems exist. To reset your decoder address only, ensure CV 19 = 0, then Program CV 1 to 3 on a Programming Track. Programming Tracks ignore addresses and are the only way to resolve address issues. For other tiers of resets, such as resetting throttle buttons to their default sounds, Audio Assist can be used to reset certain parts of your configuration.
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NMRA CV 8 - Manufacturer ID
CV8 contains the NMRA-assigned ID number of the manufacturer of this decoder. The currently assigned manufacturer ID codes are listed under the Standards section of the NMRA Website. The use of a value not assigned by the NMRA will immediately cause the decoder to not be in conformance of the NMRA Standards.
Train Control Systems' Manufacturer ID Number is 153.
CV 8 is classified as a Read Only CV. The CV contains a value which cannot be overwritten; however, it is possible to "write" a value to this CV. Doing so may perform a "Macro" such as a Factory Reset, or other operation(s). See below some examples from TCS:
CV 8 "Macros"
CV 8 offers multiple "macro" options which allow you to quickly configure certain aspects of the decoder on the fly. Most macros will perform a sequence of operations internally within the decoder, meaning you would not need to perform each of those operations individually, and can instead use one single command. CV 8 can also be used to save and load User Presets, perform a factory reset, and more!
CV 8 Macros may be programmed on the mainline or a programming track; however, it is strongly recommended that you use a dedicated programming track when performing a factory reset so as to avoid any addressing conflicts.
Available Macros
| Value | Macro/Operation |
|---|---|
| 2 | Factory Reset (Excluding ULST) |
| 3-9 | Not Used |
| 10 | Configure F1 and F2 Ditch Lights |
| 11 | Configure Trolley Preset |
| 12 | Configure "Deluxe" Trolley Preset |
| Value | Macro/Operation |
|---|---|
| 2 | Factory Reset (Excluding ULST) |
| 3-7 | Not Used |
| 8 | Factory Reset (Excluding ULST) |
| 10 | Configure F1 and F2 Ditch Lights |
| 11 | Configure Trolley Preset |
| 12 | Configure "Deluxe" Trolley Preset |
| Value | Macro/Operation |
|---|---|
| 2 | Factory Reset (Excluding ULST) |
| 3-9 | Not Used |
| 10 | Configure F1 and F2 Ditch Lights |
| 11 | Configure Trolley Preset |
| 12 | Configure "Deluxe" Trolley Preset |
| 13 | Set Throttle Mode to "Traditional" |
| 14 | Set Throttle Mode to "Prototype" |
"Nuclear" Resets
On TCS WOWSound Version 4 (and older) decoders, a "nuclear reset" can be performed by programming the following CV's:
- CV201 = 5
- CV202 = 0
- CV203 = 0
- CV204 = 8
A nuclear reset will change 100% of the configurations of the decoder. Due to time constraints in certain circumstances, a standard factory reset has been designed to ignore certain CV's and settings. The reset above will load User Preset 1, thereby overwriting everything. If no configurations were previously saved to User Preset 1, the decoder will be loaded will all default settings.
NOTE: This method of factory reset will not work in TCS Non-sound, or Version 5 WOWSound decoders.
