I have an Atlas RS-1 with an older (not Tsunami) Soundtraxx sound decoder that was a drop-in model (not sure of the model as I bought it that way). It has always been very weak in the volume department and I just built a styrene speaker enclosure for it and it made a big difference, but it was without the body shell on. When I put the shell on I had to force it a little and that locked the front truck from pivoting. I took the shell off and now it shorts out the entire DCC system when I put it on the tracks. The motor tries to run, kind of surging a couple of revs and then stops. There is no sound or any throttle response at all. I removed it from the track and checked all connections, pulled the decoder up off the chassis and it still does the same thing. I finally took the decoder out and put straight DC to the motor and it runs fine. I reset the decoder to factory default, which it seem to do OK, using DecoderPro, and put it back on the tracks; no change. I don't know what would cause it to short out the whole system? If it is 'dead' would it just not function? Any suggestions? It is currently in my dead decoder drawer. BTW I am using Digitrax Zephyr with DT402D throttle.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
I would call Soundtraxx and see if they'll give you some credit on a Tsunami by sending in the old decoder.
Richard
Did you take the DC and hook it to the motor wires? If so the problem could be the wire(s) on the truck that didn't pivot. Make sure the wire(s) are not touching the frame. Was the back of the speaker facing down? If so the metal part could have touched the decoder and caused a short. When resetting Soundtraxx decoders, enter the reset CV exit programming and turn the power off to the track. Leave the loco on the track and turn the power back on. I know the newer Soundtraxx have an LED trouble shooting light on the board. I don't know if the one you have has this feature. This info van be found in their on line decoder manual. Joe
Joe,
I first put DC to the motor and it ran fine. I then hooked the wires back up for straight DC without any light board and the engine runs fine on the track, so I know it is in the decoder. I use DecoderPro through my laptop and a PR3 programmer (Digitrax) on an isolated programming track. When I reset the decoder to factory default, the software indicated that it accepted it and all the configurations were as they should be, with the 03 address and no other settings for motor control and speed control. I don't know how to test the decoder to see if it is fried or just needs some reconfiguring?
From your description I think you have a SoundTraxx LC (Low Cost) decoder which is long ago replaced and not warranted. I doubt that SoundTraxx will give you credit toward the purchase of a new decoder, considering the age of the LC.
That would be somewhat akin to taking a 20-year old car back to a dealership and asking them to give you your money back.
If the loco is OK on DC and the decoder accepts a reset and isn't dead, then there's an issue with how the decoder is wired into the loco. It could be as simple as a small fine wire at a connection that is touching or as major as you haven't isolated the board and are just resting it atop the chassis and shorting there.
Since it doesn't seem it's a problem in the decoder, sending it back -- even if covered at this late date by warranty -- won't help.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Check the continuity of the individual wires as well. Fine wires that get pinched can actually break the wire inside the insulation not giving you any visual indication of a problem.
I've actually had a couple truck wire leads from that factory that were broken internally causing me all sorts of grief until I did a continuity test on the wire itself and found the problem why one truck appeared to be dead.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Mark,
You're correct about checking for continuity when things are dead, but this sounds more like a short than an open. It's important to figure out which it is, as that helps diagnosis. And an open usually means the wires are in all the right places, just that one has broken contact.
I ran into this with a Tsunami. After the usual back and forth to the programming track interrupted by lots of small issues, I finally got it buttoned up and put it on the layout to run, because the last thing I did as an adjustment involved nothing that disturbed any wiring. The thing was dead!
Argh. I shoulda gone to the programming track on last time and jostled something I didn't mean to? After much testing to confirm it was dead and didn't just need a reset, I sent it off to Soundtraxx for the repair or replace deal, as it was off warranty. They sent it back fixed, no charge. What happened was I tugged enough that on the last go round of the install, I pulled the wire loose from the circuit board under the shrink. I couldn't see the problem but the wire's loss of contact meant I hadn't shorted it, but had an open. Big difference in what the fix is and what comes next between the two.
The OP does sound like its a short, but should clarify if this discussion has altered that impression.
Guys, there isn't a problem with the wiring on the engine, trucks or any other place. I had replace the decoder with a light board I had and everything works fine; without the Soundtraxx decoder. Today I installed an old Digitrax DH165AO decoder and everything is working OK. I even mounted 2 12volt warm white LED's (soldered to the decoder end pads and now the lights on the loco are bright and warm white as well. I have to assume the Soundtraxx decoder is dead or has a short in it and it is to be considered 'gone'. Thanks for all the help and suggestions.