I am fairly new to DCC so please pardon any faux pas I may make.
My layout is approx. 15x9, and I am running a Bachmann Dynamis. I dont believe my problem is stemming from the system itself. I have an Atlas right hand switch that is giving me issues. My Bachmann Spectrum Dash-8 will cause a short (indicated on the Dynamis controller) when it runs into the turnout. The engine will stop, and when the system is reset will start right back up again. I have 2 other DCC-equipped engines (a genesis SD70 and a Bachmann HHP-8) that will run through the switch without any problems. It is only the Dash 8 that give me a problem. And it will only short when going into the turnout, not coming back the other way towards the mainline. The short occurrs just past the frog, which is insulated. If the engine is causing a short somehow, why will it continue running once I press the reset on the DCC controller?
Any ideas?
You may have the wires to the track beyond the turnout reversed. Do you have both rails beyond the turnout where the short occurs insulated? If so, a wiring mistake is causing the short when the wheels cross the gap from the turnout to the siding. With DCC, this causes a phase difference in the DCC command signal, which will cause a locomotive to stall briefly and then start up again.
The rails are not insulated on any side of the turnout. My wiring setup right now is very temporary, with only 1 point where power comes to this section of track since it is small and not conected to the rest of the layout yet. I was hesitant to install more feeders if I was having this problem, but could it be occurring because i only have 1 set of feeders? Will adding feeders to all sections coming out of the turnout help?
Thanks
Since you say it only happens with one loco I'd check the wheels on that loco. Run the loco very slowly thru the turnout and see if one axle is causing the problem. If so check the gauge on that axle. If you can watch what happens as the wheels are rolling thru the turnout you may be able to see what is shorting. Also try watching in the dark.
I'm part of a modular model railroad club and I have seen the same thing occur. I have one loco that seems to short out one of our clubs modules fairly consistently. Yet no other loco seems to have the problem and I don't seem to have a problem anywhere else.
As for why it works after you reset your system, momentum has moved the loco past the point of shorting.
Kfishe2I am fairly new to DCC so please pardon any faux pas I may make. My layout is approx. 15x9, and I am running a Bachmann Dynamis. I dont believe my problem is stemming from the system itself. I have an Atlas right hand switch that is giving me issues. My Bachmann Spectrum Dash-8 will cause a short (indicated on the Dynamis controller) when it runs into the turnout. The engine will stop, and when the system is reset will start right back up again. I have 2 other DCC-equipped engines (a genesis SD70 and a Bachmann HHP-8) that will run through the switch without any problems. It is only the Dash 8 that give me a problem. And it will only short when going into the turnout, not coming back the other way towards the mainline. The short occurrs just past the frog, which is insulated. If the engine is causing a short somehow, why will it continue running once I press the reset on the DCC controller? Any ideas?
Kfishe2The engine will stop, and when the system is reset will start right back up again. I have 2 other DCC-equipped engines (a genesis SD70 and a Bachmann HHP-8) that will run through the switch without any problems. It is only the Dash 8 that give me a problem. And it will only short when going into the turnout, not coming back the other way towards the mainline.
First let me say to the site and sure hope you hang around for a while. I am so close and a few others here to getting a Dynamis system it is not funny. We just need some feed back from people that have one.
More than likely with just one engine having the problem it is the engine. With you being new, do you have a NMRA gage to check the Engines wheels to make sure they are in gage? If the wheel gage is a little to wide, it can still track well but still let the current jump the gap. It could be one of the wheels them self is a little to wide, have no idea how to check that but will act the same as wheels out of gage.
I have only had one Spectrum diesel and was not happy with it so off to E-bay. I am not a Bachmann hater like others here, I have had great luck with there steam Spectrum engines.
One thing to try is turn out the lights and see if there is a spark and where it comes from. Does the engine have a problem with nothing be pulled? If you pull the same freight with the same engine, it could be a all metal axle and wheel rolling stock causing the short.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
I do not have an NMRA gauge. Just one of those things that I never bought because I hadnt had a problem...till now. Will have to get one tomorrow. Luckily I have an extensive local hobby shop down the street. (MB Klein) I was testing it without any load, so its definatley coming from the engine. Ill look for sparks tonight when I get home.
As for the Bachmann stuff, when I was growing up with it, their stuff was mainly toyish. So far I havent had any complaints. The HHP8 is one of the best running locos that Ive owned. The Dash 8 is a little disappointing detail-wise, but its undecorated and was free with the Dynamis, so its hard to complain too much about it. As for the Dynamis, I'll withold extensive comment for now. So far I like it, but Ive only put a few hours into it. No complaints so far.
The Dash 8 that comes free with the Dynamis is one of the Plus models, the Spectrum series are better detailed and generally run better. Anyway, get that NMRA gauge, I'm reasonably sure you'll find out of gauge wheels on that loco. My previous 8x12 layout was made up of all Atlas turnouts, both #6 and #4, and EVERY car or loco that had problems on the turnouts had wheels out of gauge. Repairing or repalcing them solved any issue tha tparticualr car or loco was having. Some say that the Atlas turnouts are not good quality, but the only issue I ever had witht hem is the Code 83 #4's having a wavy section in the straight stock rail. It made my cars wiggle back and forth amnd was annoying but none ever derailed. The #6's were always fine.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
put a little dab of paint on the rails right where the rails touch the insulated frog. the rails are too close together and the wheels of the loco bridge both rails causing a short. the paint will keep the wheels from contacting both rails. i use nail polish as it is tougher that paint. i do this on my home layout and at my club on peco and atlas switches. it has to be reapplyed every so often as it wears off from use and rail cleaning
the short shuts off the track power so the loco stops but the flywheels on the motor let it move off the spot where the short occurs. when you reset the power the loco will move again