How to Set Train Address with Piko Digi Fern

The Piko Digi Fern is the name given to the remote control device that comes with the Piko Digital starter set (for example Piko 57156). Out of the box you usually get some rails, a DCC locomotive (set to C, or 003, more on that later) some rolling stock, the Digi Fern remote, and an IR receiver.

The first step is setup - and it's important when setting train addresses with the Piko Digi Fern that everything is set up correctly. There are two ways to set the address:

• on the main layout;
• on a service track.

If you intend to program "on the main", you must be certain that you know what you are doing, as the programming signal will be sent to every DCC device that is linked to the IR receiver! For this reason, I usually program on a service track - the procedure is the same.

Special note for those programming on the main layout line - please disconnect all accessories (such as DCC Cobalt switch engines or similar) and LED lights before continuing. I have lost a few LEDs due to this oversight, as well as reprogrammed a couple of accessories!

(My service track is just a bit of G231 (Piko H0 55201 H0) and a bit of G239 (Piko H0 55200 H0 Straight track G239) nailed to a board, with a couple of banana connectors to hook up the IR receiver!)

Setting the Train Address with the Piko Digi Fern

The special key to start programming is usually the third from the left on the top row, next to the red "stop" button.It looks like a double-branch or double point. There's a similar single point one next to it, used to activate DCC accessories like points and switches.

I'll call this key [P] for now. The key sequence is:

• [P][P][train address][P]

So, if [P][P]123[P] is typed, all locos on the track will get address 123. In fact, any number from 001 to 127 can be used, but the Piko Digi Fern is only really capable of handling 12 locos at once, and the IR receiver and power supply seem to peter out at around the 4th loco (depending on other accessories power draw and track length.)

During the process of setting the address, the loco will move, in twitches, so it's best to start with it  as far back on the service track as possible.

Once programming has finished (and the light on the IR receiver has stopped flashing), the train can be selected using the train button, followed by the loco address. When the system is switched on, the A - D keys are allocated to loco addresses 1 - 4, so it is easiest to stick with these numbers, as just the 'channel select' button A to D can be used to pick up control of a loco.

The official Piko Digital User Guide has now been translated into English, and can be downloaded from the Piko Web Site.

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