I have one of the more recent Climax's with the dual mode sound decoder installed in the coal tender. I notice when running in DCC that the tender part gets warm. Is this normal or do I have a problem? Thanks
Bruce
anyone have any ideas?
First, welcome to the MR forums. Hope you stick around!
Regarding your problem, I wonder if perhaps there is a short or some wire touching something it shouldn’t or something. You’ll need to open up the tender and compare it to the diagrams of the loco. If something is wired funny then that is a pretty evident indication of the source of your problem.
I could be that the decoder just normally gets a bit warm. I have no experience feeling a decoder while a train runs so I can’t tell you if that’s normal. I’m sure others will chime in.
If you can’t get a response on this forum I believe Bachmann has a forum you could go to, they may know more over there. I bet someone more knowledgeable than me in such matter may be able to get a better answer to you pretty soon.
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
Bruce,
I googled "Bachmann Climax decoder" and discovered that it is Soundtraxx Tsunami. (I'm assuming 1st generation) Tsunamis are known for getting warm so this is probably what you are experiencing. If it were a short (as SPSOT speculated) then your DCC system would cycle off and on.
That said, is it moderately warm to the touch - i.e. slightly above body temperature? Or, is it getting really warm? How soon after starting your locomotive (from a cold start) does your tender begin feeling warm?
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
This is normal behavior for sound decoders. (as long as the loco is functioning correctly) You may notice that the contact area around the decoder is warm to the touch (not hot).
Ususally there is some sort of provision to slough off heat from the decoder by using either the frame of the tender /loco or the shell of the tender as a heat sink.
I've noticed early sound decoders run warmer than current versions.
Welcome to the forum,
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Welcome.
Is this your Climax? The sound "module" is mounted about the decoder. I guessed at two truck. Diagrams for three tcuck not very good for decoder and sound.
According to the Parts list at the Bachmann site the sound module is for the 70 ton also.
I would check out the HO Bachmann forums. There are company reps there. I have belonged for some years. A lot of useful info that many Bachmann owners pass up.
https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/HO50-TON2-TRUCKCLIMAXDCC_SOUNDINSTALL.pdf
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
richg1998
Yes this is my climax. it starts to get warm after running for awhile. If this is normal I wont worry about.
Right now I would say it is not a problem but to be sure go join the Bachmann forums. It is easy to join. There are company reps there plus a phone number to a service department. The main rep is the Bach-Man. He just answered a question for someone today.
There may be users of the Climax also.
I see the reps every year at the Bachmann display at a local train show the end of January.
I am really not sure why you have not checked the Bachmann forums yet. They are useful.