I purchased the Athearn Gas Turbine and when I put it on my test track hooked up to my Zepher on 00 and on DCC the light on the Zepher began to cycle on and off. The engine runs in short bursts cycling with the light. I tried two other DCC equiped engines and they ran fine so it's not a problem with the Zepher or the wiring to the test track.
I proceeded to hook my DC power pack to the test track and the engine ran smooth and silent, all the lights worked and no sign of a short. Now I'm wondering whether to go ahead and install the decoder or return the engine for a refund?
I purchased the NCE D14SR decoder which is 8-pin to use until I can get a sound decoder. Does anybody have an idea what the problem is other than it's made by Athearn. Would it be wise for me to try to install the decoder or return it.
Any advice you can give will be appreciated!
Thanks!
Jim
Well, since it runs fine on a DC power pack, and your DCC system operates DCC locos properly - my guess is there is somethign on the circuit board in the loco that does not like the DCC signal and shorts it out. The issue may or may not be bypassed when using a plug-in decoder. If it isn't, it will be time to hard wire a decoder and completely replace the factory board. You might want to try a TCS decoder with a 'goof proof' warranty since even if it fries due to an installation problem, they will send you a new one for free (one time - if you fry the replacement, you're on your own)
--Randy.
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Did you remove the 9 pin harness blanking socket?
Its the bit tucked under the circuit board, you need to remove the end plug, it acts as a dcc blanking plug for both the 9 pin and the 8 pin sockets.
I e-mailed Athearn Tech support this morning and they e-mailed back saying that the engine was designed to run on DC but on DCC it has have the decoder installed. In other words it will not run on the address 00 in DCC. I'm supprised that they got back to me that quickly and hope it is a sign that the manufactures are trying to improve service! Thanks Athearn for the quick response!!
I did not have time to install the decoder this evening and it will have to wait until morning. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that is all that is wrong cause this looks to be a extra nice engine.
Thanks for all responses!
Yes, something about the design of their circuit board is a dead short to the DCC signal. But DC in one direction or the other is OK.
--Randy
Try changing CV 11, to 0 or to 1.
Well I finally got back to the work bench this afternoon and started on the Turbine decoder install. It took a total of about 20 minutes to install a NCE D14SR decoder. This thing runs sweet! Smooth and quiet, can't wait to install a QSI sound decoder in it but until then the NCE will have to do.
While I had it apart I installed the engineer and fireman in the cab and they look good. The only thing I have found that I don't care for so far is that the lights are not as bright as I like them.
Randy I think that what ever the problem is has to do with the board on the 9 pin plug.
Thanks Again to all who posted!