Hi folks,
We have two Digitrax DT100 throttles that are having issues. The one has one of the pots snapped off and the other has small round bits of plastic in the display and makes a rattling sound. It also seems to be duplicating with another throttle in a strange way. I'm not looking for a diagnosis here, but does anyone have a recommendation on who might do repair to these at reasonable cost?
Thanks in advance
-Trainmaster G
Or replacing one or both with the Utility throttle, which many people like for running trains with the big knob. I too have a DT100 because I bought my Chief system in the late 90's and thats the throttle it came with. However, it was in storage for the past 15 years so it wasn't used much and during that time Digitrax has replaced the DT100 with the DT400 or 402, which users say is MUCH easier to consist, program etc. with. I bought a DT402D last year and my DT100R will be only used as utilty or secondary throttle now - any other throttles I buy will be Utility type - of course the DT100 was discontinued years ago - so like David said, if you can fix it yourself, or a friend can do it, thats probably the best option but being it is long out of production, the effort and cost put into it should be minimal.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Did you try contacting Digitrax? Even though long out of production they may still do repairs.
skagitrailbird Did you try contacting Digitrax? Even though long out of production they may still do repairs.
I'm sure Digitrax does still do repairs - it may be more a matter of how much will they charge and do they still have parts in stock for the DT100 throttles. Contacting them will answer those questions one way or the other.
The DT100 is "no longer repairable" by Digitrax, probably due to some of the original parts no longer being available. You can find out what they can or can't repair by going here and selecting the device in question.
Having said that, the DT100 doesn't use pots, it uses encoders. They should still be available. Look for a Bourns 3315Y-001-006L (or Bourns 3315Y-001-006 for non-ROHS compliant) or equivalent. They seem to be OOS/BO at Mouser, Digitrax, and Allied at the moment so it may be a while before you can get it repaired.
For the other throttle, if it's still working okay otherwise, just open it up and shake out the loose pieces.
As far as it "following" another throttle, you probably have the same loco selected on two throttles. Dispatch all the locos from both throttles and those symptoms should go away.
Both of those mechanical issues, though (encoder snapped off and loose pieces inside the display) make it sound like those throttles have had some rough handling. The best way to keep them fixed is to use care when handling them...
If you know anyone who repairs small electronics, or even larger electronics, they may very well be cheaper than Digitrax and are more likely able to get parts, even when they don't have them in stock. Digitrax may use one supplier for a certain part, but those I know who repair electronics, use several. More suppliers means better chance of someone having the correct part needed, in stock.
Edit: I now see they will be cheaper than Digitrax in any case, as Digitrax no longer offers support to the DT100.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Digikey shows the encoder:
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/3315Y-001-006L/3315Y-001-006L-ND/1088225
Newark also shows the encoder:
http://www.newark.com/bourns/3315y-001-006l/encoder/dp/43K2404?mckv=ocfiZrH9|pcrid|7350751186|plid|{placement}&CMP=KNC-BUSA-GEN-SKU-MDC-FRNAD-BOURNS
Best bet is to take it apart and fix it. Remove the two knobs by loosening the set screws. Remove battery cover and battery. Take out the two screws under the battery. Slide the back a little until it disengages the top half and lift away. Now you are inside your DT100.
Digitrax can't repair anymore because among other items, the displays are no longer available. At least that's what they told me years ago.
Martin Myers
Since LCDs like that are generally custom made, that makes sense, no way could they continue purchasing in quantity if they aren't making the product that used it.
I'm sure there are other parts also now obsolete. Are those encoders the actual part or simple a substutute with the same or close enough specs to work? One of the ones often mentioned as a replacement shows out of stock many times, but available - if you want to order a couple thousand.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks everyone for the quick replies. I'm going to give it a shot repairing them myself. Glad to know that the encoders are available.
We do also have a DT400. I like the smaller size of the DT100, and will probably look to get the UT4 as an alternative (not sure about the reverse switch on top though, the push button on the DT100 is a lot easier to use).
I'll let you guys know how I make out.
Thanks again,
TrainmasterG
trainmasterg Thanks everyone for the quick replies. I'm going to give it a shot repairing them myself. Glad to know that the encoders are available. We do also have a DT400. I like the smaller size of the DT100, and will probably look to get the UT4 as an alternative (not sure about the reverse switch on top though, the push button on the DT100 is a lot easier to use). I'll let you guys know how I make out. Thanks again, TrainmasterG
The toggle on the top of the utility throttle seems alright to me, but you like what you like. You can get as much life out of the DT100 as you can and at some point when it's not worth servicing, then your choices will be to go with what Digitrax produces or look to buy another DT100 used - I expect they are out there on the secondary market.
Why on Earth would some one suggest that the Manufacturer would not be capable of repairs? My first choice would be to at least ask Digitrax if they can help. I'd have asked them, long before ever asking here.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
O.K.; however, in my experience going back to the manufacturer is still the best-first step in attempting to find out what can be done. I have found Digitrax to bend over backwards to try to help their customers. They certainly should be able to give good/logical advice, even if they can't help!
I don't think anyone "suggest[ed] that the Manufacturer would not be capable of repairs."
If you follow the link in my original post and select the DT100, it takes you to the manufacturer's product page where they say it's not repairable due to the unavailability of parts.
I think Randy hit the nail on the head; it's likely that Digitrax's supply of some proprietary part like the display has been exhausted. Or it could be the encoder. The manufacturer seems to make them in batches, with availability spotty at times.
Either way, this throttle hasn't been produced in 15 years. That's a long, long time for consumer electronics. At some point they have to make a business decision about when to cut off support for an obsolete product, and when you run out of a critical part would seem to be a good time.
I had a UT1 That took a dive and broke the F/R toggle off. Talked to Digitrax, they no longer repaired that model. They did, however , put me in touch with a guy who did! Good for Digitrax!
This was less than 6 months ago. They are repairable.
I feel Digitrax went above and beyond. If you want the guy's name and e-mail, PM me.
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
Stevert I don't think anyone "suggest[ed] that the Manufacturer would not be capable of repairs." If you follow the link in my original post and select the DT100, it takes you to the manufacturer's product page where they say it's not repairable due to the unavailability of parts. I think Randy hit the nail on the head; it's likely that Digitrax's supply of some proprietary part like the display has been exhausted. Or it could be the encoder. The manufacturer seems to make them in batches, with availability spotty at times. Either way, this throttle hasn't been produced in 15 years. That's a long, long time for consumer electronics. At some point they have to make a business decision about when to cut off support for an obsolete product, and when you run out of a critical part would seem to be a good time.
The following quote sure sounds like a suggestion that the manufacture won't help:
"Digitrax is out as the DT100 is antiquated".
I meant to suggest Digitrax wouldn't repair a DT100 throttle because that's what they told me. In person from A.J. Ireland hisself. That was several years ago. They don't repair DT300's or DT200's or UT1 and UT2's either.
I picked up a DT100 cheap on eBay, and as long as it works, it makes a great train running throttle. I do wish they'd make a UT4E with an encoder, I seriously dislike potentiometer throttles. So I have no UT4's and likely won't. Even with sound locos, the DT100 works great fro me - I only really need lights, horn, and bell. Plus the buttons are real buttons - I've considered buying a set of small buttons and modifying a DT400 to have real buttons - one of these days. Only thing I think will kill my DT100 is if I snap off the encoder shaft by pressing too hard - hard to break the habit from the DT400/402 of pressing the knob to reverse.
davidmbedard.....because on Digitraxs repair for page they specifically say that any throttle before and including the DT300 is unrepresented as.they don't mfg the parts anymore.....
mfm37...They don't repair DT300's or DT200's or UT1 and UT2's either...
Actually, they do still repair DT300's. There may be (probably are) some repairs they cannot do due to a lack of parts, but if they can, they will repair a DT300. For example, I know of people who have recently had DT300's with the capacitor plague repaired and their website says they will repair DT300's.
I know, I have been guilty of doing exactly what I have described above! So, sometimes it is difficult to be unbiased, however unbiased answers are what people are looking for. We can all try to do better!
Now then, now then, what's all this then? Are we talking about helping the OP with his issue, or are we all talking about how other people are not helping? If the former, carry on. If the latter, move along.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Our club has two of those throttles, Both that show symptoms of the capacitor issue. I took one home and pulled it apart to see if I could replace them myself...There are probably 20 of those tiny things in there and it seemed like it was a lot of work (for me) to replace them all as a guess to see if it would fix them. Since many members have their own throttles, and we have a couple dt300's that work for guests, the 2 throttles will sit in the box, probably forever. I would suggest to our club president to try and sell them on Ebay, but doubt it's worth any members' time to put effort into it (who would buy a broken throttle?). I'm pretty sure everything else in the throttle works (encoders, keypad, display, etc) but it acts funky...display flashes between two readouts. If you attend train shows in the Detroit metro area, I might be able to do a private sale but shipping is probably more than it's worth for either of us (or the club). PM me if you want to meet up at a future Detroit area train show, I'll also be at FreeMo setups in Van Wert, OH and Flint, MI in a few months...
http://delray1967.shutterfly.com/pictures/5
SEMI Free-Mo@groups.io
NP2626 This forum is supposed to be about helping each other with questions; or, problems we have in the hobby. Making declarative statements about things that might not be completely correct are not at all helpful to the O.P. and sort of defeat the purpose of these forums. The only entity which should answer questions on what a manufacturer will and will not do, should be that manufacturer
I got my info from A.J. Ireland. Since he owns the darn company I believe that information to be accurate.
I also posted links to the repair parts and some help with opening the throttle.