Locomotive "whines" and Digitrax decoder

[tstage]

I recently installed Digitrax DH163/165L0 decoders into a couple of Proto 2000 GP38-2s and each locomotive seems to whine excessively.  They were very quiet when I ran them together on a friend's DC layout for a couple of hours a few months ago.  Everything is well lubed.  Any suggestions?   Thanks.

Tom

[cacole]

 That decoder supports Torque Compensation, which should be able to be adjusted to quieten it down; however, the documentation that comes with the decoder doesn't explain how but just says to check the Digitrax Mobile Decoder User Manual and the Digtrax web site.

Unfortunately, the User Manual offers little help at all other than citing a couple of hex digit settings of CVs 53 and 54 to control Torque Compensation.

[rrinker]

 High frequency drive is generally what controls the whining in the motor, but this is not configurable. CV53 isn;t used in FX3 decoders, and CV54 only gives you a couple examples because there are only 4 options. Torque Compensation on or off and Switching Speed on or off. Since you don;t use Digitrax you can set CV61 to 00 to turn off transponding, although I doubt that will make much difference.

 I'll reiterate my position: I think the Digitrax control system is by far the most advanced compared to the others, but their decoders leave a lot to be desired. This is why I used almost all NCE D13SRJ's before and now I'm using nothign but TCS T-1's. Have my first loco where a T-1 is not practical, a Stewart AS16, there's just no way to route the wires fron underneath the circuit board, so it's got to get a specialty decoder, the DP2X from TCS.

                                --Randy

 

[tstage]

Randy,

Is the NCE D13SRJ a 4-function decoder?  The T-1s are 2-function, yes?  I'd like to eventually add working ditch lights to these GP38-2s but that's going to be a wiring adventure - in and of itself.

Tom

[rrinker]

D13's are 4 function (the NCE site says 6, but that's the D15). TCS T-1s only have 2 functions, the T-4 has 4.

 

                              --Randy

 

[tstage]

Thanks, Randy.   I ordered a couple of NCE P2KSR decoders to try from Litchfield.  They are 5-function, silent running, and come with the torque compensation.

Tom

[cmarchan]

Couple of questions: 

Are the decoders installed with the original light board completely removed?

What DCC system are you using? Are these the only locomotives exhibiting the noise?

 

[tstage]

cmarchan

Couple of questions: 

Are the decoders installed with the original light board completely removed?

Carl, I switched out all the incandescent headlight/lightboard bulbs (4, total) for two LEDs and corrected the lightboard issue by swapping around/correcting the wiring running to the NMRA 8-connector plug.

What DCC system are you using? Are these the only locomotives exhibiting the noise?

I use an NCE Power Cab.  These are the only locomotives that exhibit the "whine".

Tom

[CSX Robert]

I have noticed with both Digitrax and TCS decoders that they tend to be a little more noisy with Bemf compensation turned on than when it is turned off. I have not confirmed this but I believe it is because they have to slow down the frequency of the drive a little bit to have enough time during the off phase to read the Bemf voltage.