Trains.com

LGB type3 decoder in USA NW2 resulted in speed problems???

868 views
11 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: US
  • 1,386 posts
Posted by Curmudgeon on Tuesday, September 5, 2006 11:28 AM

I would suggest on-board battery r/c, but that's just what I do.

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 5, 2006 10:15 AM

....ooooops  Sad [:(]

Thanks....any other suggestions??

For take #2 would you suggest the Digitrax DG583S or LGB 55027 decoders??

I am using the LGB MTS type 3.

Will the digitrax decoder work with LGB's 55045 (PC decoder programmer)???

Thanks.

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: US
  • 1,386 posts
Posted by Curmudgeon on Monday, September 4, 2006 10:03 PM

Yeah.

A big suggestion.

Since ALL USA dismal blocks have TWO wires to each motor, you have connected motor to track.

"Wiring as follows:Right side track pick-up for motors A + B (they are mounted 180 degrees, therefore red with black pairings) to the Track power -

Left side track pick-up to track power +

All red wires for the motors (which there are two per motor) to the decoder motor +

All black wires (four as well) to the decoder motor -

 

Any suggestions???????"

 

 

I'd have to check, but the motors on the bigger units are the outer pins.

The inner pins and any journal pickups are to the track.

These are usually 4 wires into one plug (2-pin) at each end.

 

You need to use a VOM and check wheel continuity to the pins.

Simple test is to use a 9v battery to the wires you THINK are the motor and see if it runs, and see if, while running, you have power on the wheels.

 

Once again, for possible penetration, two wires to each motor.

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 4, 2006 6:25 PM

Okay...then you tell me why it smoked.....

Wiring as follows:

Right side track pick-up for motors A + B (they are mounted 180 degrees, therefore red with black pairings) to the Track power -

 

Left side track pick-up to track power +

 

All red wires for the motors (which there are two per motor) to the decoder motor +

All black wires (four as well) to the decoder motor -

 

Any suggestions???????

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: US
  • 1,386 posts
Posted by Curmudgeon on Monday, September 4, 2006 5:57 PM

Okay, since you obviously cannot do math, I will do it for you.

 

The NW-2 with sound and lights, 3 cars, draws and average of less than .5A.

Would you like to see how that is done?

 

2AH battery.

That means, it will give 2 amps for one hour.

 

It will give 1 amp for two hours.

It will give 1/2 amp for 4 hours.

 

Since the unit ran for 4 hours and 20 minutes, it draws less than 1/2 amp.

The NW-2 is one of the most efficient blocks out there.

A single-motored LGB Mogul, no sound, draws .6A (at least mine do).

 

So, if a unit that draws less than 1/2 amp blows up a 3A board, we need to carefully look at the installation and installer.

 

Need me to go over that again?

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 4, 2006 5:46 PM

Unfortunately the card fried, from what I believe was the NW2 pulled more juice than 3amps......

so now to see what other card might work, or if I will have to get a decoder per motor...

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: US
  • 1,386 posts
Posted by Curmudgeon on Saturday, September 2, 2006 12:06 AM

An NW2 with three cars and Sierra sound, using 2AH batteries, runs 4 hours and 20 minutes.

 

You do the math on current draw.

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Bucks County, PA
  • 428 posts
Posted by Bucksco on Friday, September 1, 2006 7:14 PM

I forwarded this thread to the Technical support manager at LGBoA and received the following response:

"I'm not sure in this case because I've never heard of a problem like this, but it could be that he programmed it incorrectly, especially if he was using the MTS with a Universal Remote.  Might be able to test it by running on an analog layout to see what is going on.  An NW2 could also be drawing more than 3 amps, though that would be unusual and I don't think our decoders limit themselves that way.  More information is needed on what system he has, who did the install, he also mentions a sound system, it's possible he tapped into a constant voltage and installed it wrong."

 

A bit more detail could help us to diagnose the problem

Jack
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 1, 2006 7:43 AM

The decoder is the LBG 55027, which is supposed to be adequate to work with dual motors, and up to 3 amps.  The operation is not jerky, it just doesn't seem to change speeds.

Please help....

 

Thanks.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 1, 2006 12:54 AM

most decoders have power limiting built in and short circuit protection - if you current draw exceeds capacity of decoder its likely to limit it - i would normally expect jerky operation tho

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 31, 2006 8:21 PM

I am not sure which decoder you have but a type number would be a big help. Offthe cuff it may not be meant for a a decent sized loco at all.

 

Rgds Ian

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
LGB type3 decoder in USA NW2 resulted in speed problems???
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 7:29 PM

Hello all,

I have installed the LGB type 3 decoder into a USA NW2 and got it to run.  However I seem to only have off or on.  When I turn up the speed on the remote it stays at the same speed??  It has not problem going forward or reverse, but once it is moving in a direction no matter how much I up the speed on the remote it doesn't change.

The sound right now does not vary with speed (as it does not change speeds), but I don't know if this will be fixed with the problem above or if it needs to be wired differently?? (currently I have not changed the wiring of the sound).

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Garden Railways magazine. Please view our privacy policy