Atlas HO DC loco will not run as 03 on DCC

[Kay.Div.]

I have an Atlas RS11 in DC with a light board in it. It has the 8 pin socket with the required pins in place to be able to operate as a DC loco.  When I place it on my Digitrax setup and try to operate it as 03 ( DC ) both lights come on but the loco will not move. I have checked the Digitrax and it works fine for other locos using 03.

I have also put a 9v. battery against the wheels of the RS11 and it runs fine in both directions. All connections on the light board are correct. It's got me baffled, any suggestions plse.

Thanks. Kay.Div.

[richg1998]

With only the DC adapter in the socket, it will not run on 03. The lights will come on because of the 12 to 14 volt DCC waveform which is AC. The motor requires DC.

Install a decoder. The it will run on 03 if the decoder has not been programmed with any other number.

Rich

[Kay.Div.]

Thanks Rich, I thought that the little 3 legged jumpers that go in the 8 pin socket were supposed to allow it to operate as DC. I know it will not do anything if you remove them, they complete the circuit between the pickups and the motor and the lights via the traces on the PC board.

   My next question would be, how do I run a DC loco to test it BEFORE installing a decoder. Digitrax recommends doing that in case there is a prob. with the loco then you dont fry the decoder.

[CSX Robert]

To operate a DC loco on Digitrax, you use address '0', not '3'.

[Kay.Div.]

Thanks CSX Robert,, Now it works, I guess I had a seniors moment.

[wjstix]

Kay.Div.

Thanks Rich, I thought that the little 3 legged jumpers that go in the 8 pin socket were supposed to allow it to operate as DC. I know it will not do anything if you remove them, they complete the circuit between the pickups and the motor and the lights via the traces on

That's correct, the jumpers allow the engine to run on DC.

Kay.Div.

   My next question would be, how do I run a DC loco to test it BEFORE installing a decoder. Digitrax recommends doing that in case there is a prob. with the loco then you dont fry the decoder.

 

 

I went back to square one, since my layout right now is basically a switching layout. I have an oval of Kato Unitrack I set up on the frontroom floor (preferably when no one is around) and run the engine with a DC power pack. Once that's broken in - usually run 10-15 min. each direction - I install the decoder.

 

BTW when you install the decoder, good idea to place it on the programming track and try to read a CV. If it reads OK, most likely there's no short circuits that could fry the decoder.