Problems with DCC

[Anonymous]

I just bought a Digitrax Zephyr System running on a 4 X 8 layout. I am having the darndest time running my locomotives at slow speed (low throttle). I am constantly getting flickering in the lights and erratic responce (slight jerkiness). It will run, then flicker, then stop. At this point no throttle response, no lights. If I jiggle or pu***he locomotive, then power is restored.

I have cleaned the track with a Bright Boy. I think I might have a problem with my command station. Possible current fluctuations????

Extremely frustrated at this point.

Can anyone help???

much appreciated

[rrinker]

What brand of decoder and what loco? Also, what size wire do you have connecting the Zephyr to the track, and how many places does it connect? What sort of track are you using?

Let's start with the last part: If you are using sectional track, paritularly Bachmman EZ-Track and only have one feeder connected between the tack and the Zephyr, there is almost certainly your problem. Before I started working on my real layout, I set up a 4x8 simple oval using EZ-Track and had TWO feeders exactly halfway around the oval from each other - and STILL had slowdowns and flickering lights. It needed more feeders to work properly.
Wire size - on a 4x8 layout it's not as critical, as the longest run won't be that long, but even a 4x8 in HO shouldn't use thin wire like telephone wire. #18 wire at the MINIMUM, #16 or #14 is better (the smaller the number, the heavier the wire). It would be nearly impossible to connect a #14 wire to HO track, so what you do is make drops of smaller wire, #18 or #20, from the track to this heavy bus wire. Feeders every 6 feet of track are a good start, I use flex track and have feeders to EVEYR piece of track (thus every 3 feet).
Loco and decoder - it COULD be a speed step mismatch, this causes the lights to flicker on and off as you open and close the throttle.

--Randy

[Jacktal]

A few questions here....
First,did you also clean your loco's wheels and other electrical contact points?A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
When your train stops,does your DCC beep indicating a short circuit?If so,you'll have to carefully search the problem.Does the problem always occur in the same areas?Is one particular loco more sensitive to this?Are your track joints OK?No loose joiners or cold soldered or corrosion?
Did your locos run fine when you were running straight DC?Are your decoders installed and programmed properly?Are you running DC locos on adress 00?I've had this problem on the club's layout with the 00 adress in the past but have no explanation for this,but installing decoders in my locos has cured this.Maybe it's a common problem,I honestly don't know.
But you've come to the right place for help as many fine modelers on this forum will probably be of more help than me.

[howmus]

I doubt the problem is with the Zepher. It would either work or not work. From what you are descibing, it would seem most likely you are having trouble picking up current from the track. If you haven't, clean the wheels on your locos (as was suggested by jacktal). Are your locos ones that are newer DCC ready (all wheel pick up) or older locos that have been retrofitted for DCC. You may have to add more pick ups to them to get solid connections. Your locos are not getting a constant electrical signal I would bet. The clue is your comment about jiggleing and pu***hem to start. Also, have you tried the "quarter trick" and does work anywhere on your track? If it does not short out the track (the Zepher will beep 5 times and shut down until you remove the quarter) then you have bad connections to the track (rail joiners not joining the rails????) Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I recently painted my track but have cleaned it well with a Bright Boy. I have not cleaned my wheels however. Could paint have transferred to the wheels????

What do you recommend to clean wheels with????

By the way Randy...I am using Atlas Code 83 flextrack with Atlas turnouts Insulated. I only have 1 set of feeders connected at this time. My layout consists of a main oval and another oval inside that services 3 industries and a small freight yard.

[howmus]

gapharm97, does the problem happen on the section of track connected to the feeder wires? If it does not happen on that piece of track and you didn't solder the rail joiners (don't solder all of them to allow for expansion of the rail), then your problem is power to the track. If it happens on the section that is directly connected to the feeders, the problem is most probably dirt on the wheels. There are several different ways to clean the wheels. I use Isopropal Rubbing Alcohol on a Q-tip and run the engine with wires clipped to the tender wheels (if it has all wheel pick up). Then I manualy clean while turning the tender wheels. It is amazing the amount of crud that sometimes comes of the wheels.

[Anonymous]

Biggest Problem anyone ever has. Check the connections to the track and the Command station. If i ever have a problem with no power. I always check those connections

[rrinker]

You will definitely need more feeders, although my layout DID work fine with just one set of feeders hooked up for testing purposes before I rn the main wiring bus.

Just painted the track? I think there's your problem. As suggested - try on the section where the feeders hook up. Even if the paint is not on the wheels or the top of the track anymore - it CAN get in the rail joiners and now they aren't conducting power to the next section anymore. If it IS on the wheels - rubbing alcohol should work. If the loco has all wheels powered, it's pretty easy. Set up a piece of track, fold over a paper towel and make it wet with alcohol, lay it over the track, hold the engine so one truck is on the plain track to pick up power, and the other truck is on the wet towel. Or take it apart and clip power leads to the decoder input and use a swab with alcohol to clean each wheel as it turns.

--Randy

[FCnota]

I use a product called "GOOF OFF" or "GOO GONE". You can pick it up at Home Depot, Menards, and Lowes for sure. Just dip a qtip in the liquid, wipe the wheels and there you go. I have had GREAT results from using it. No damage to the locos or track (I use it to clean the track also). My layout uses EZ track, is fairly large (2 4x8 sheets with a 2x3 section in between) with only one set of feeders (for now, not done ) and have NO PROBLEMS with the DCC (Digitrax) Hope it helsp!