Engine moves off programming track

[jwar41]

While programing with a Digatrax DCS 50 a kato engine with a TCS 6x decoader ran off the programming track. Pulled the plug and later tried again, get dnr on all cvs checked, wont read engine #nor any CVs

Then checked other engines, Will read all other engines and will inter CVs

Then checked a loc sound engine on program track, checked engine #, then when acknoleged engine beeped and sound came on with light???

Shut down at Plug. Then removed program wires at DCS50 and ohmed back with meter to Programm track, to isolated track between main and programming track, then to main. No short, no resistance at 10,000 Ohms scale.

Cleaned program track and wheels on problem engine. Sodered truck leads at truck and ohmed all sodered conections from truck to curcuit board, no resistence.

 

retried programming, notta all dnr's, trurned motor at flywheel and got a read one time only using DCS 50, now thinking its the motor...

Grabed 400 R hand held (Duplex)and it programmed all CVs with no fails then exit

back too DCS, no reads.....checked other engines and is OK.

Question, can the motor be causing this on the programm track, it does run OK on the main, perhaps the decoader is getting tired LOL, but why will the 400R hand hold program this particular engine and the DCS 50 ( main brain)wont.

This is what I like about being old, retired and model railroading, keeps the brain from freeeeezing up.....well kinda

 

 

 

 

[retsignalmtr]

Try resetting decoder back to factory specs. set CV008 to 008.

Check for a stuck button on the control panel.

[jwar41]

Did set back to factory defaults to no avail

However I found the culprit just a few minits ago, got into the manual and reset DCS Option switch bac to factory reset...seems to work now.

Thank you for your reply, didnt think about the buttons and they are OK,

Have a great day...John

[rrinker]

 This is why you have a truly isolates program track, not physically connected to the main. Or at least a section between the program track and main that goes totally dead when the program track is switched to program mode. Luckily, no damage done, just scrambled the brain of the Zephyr a bit.

 The more efficient the motor, the more likely it is to move a larger distance when programming (well technically when it acks on the read back). I can;t wait to see one of those new Kato P42's with the coreless motors right in the truck. That thing probably draws less than 5ma running.

            --Randy

[jwar41]

Hi Randy

I have 18 inches of isolated track between the main and the programm track checked it with mt Simson meter at 10,000 and no resistance.

Just a few minits ago I was programging ditch ligts and rule 17, after I set the value, the lights, forward and back, came on. How is this program track getting power, also  my main was turned off, Im thinking this DCS 50 is starting to fail????erhaps I neeeeed a bigerrr hammerrrrr

Anyhow thanks for your reply, I appreciate yur expertiese

 

[Lake]

jwar41

Just a few minits ago I was programging ditch ligts and rule 17, after I set the value, the lights, forward and back, came on. How is this program track getting power, also  my main was turned off, Im thinking this DCS 50 is starting to fail????erhaps I neeeeed a bigerrr hammerrrrr

Yes, a bigger hammer, and then if that does not work, you may have an electrical problem.

I have had a few like problems and resetting my Digitrax DB150 cleared them up.

[jwar41]

Called Digatrax and sending it in for repairs. Had 13.8 volts at program track untill one gets the DNR message. They have parts to fix it, and the repair charge is $25, This greatly pleased me, as I cant afford on a fixed income another controller.

Moral to the story..."Digatrax made me a very happy camper"

 

John