Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

TCS Warranty

1387 views
4 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Southeast Kansas
  • 1,329 posts
TCS Warranty
Posted by wholeman on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 8:57 PM

Has anyone ever had a TCS decoder fail?  I just had a T4X quit on me.  I did a filled a warranty form on thier website.  Are they going to send me a new one without taking the old one and attempting to fix it? 

It has all the light functions working but no motor control, which is pretty important for a loco.  This decoder was purchased in June and had worked flawlessly until about a month ago.  It was jerky in motion.  It was installed in an Athearn P42 with the factory motor.

Will

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 9:07 AM

 They'll send you a new one, no questions asked. Once.

The fact that you said it started getting jerky before it died completely makes me think it COULD be a short, not just a decoder failure. Before just plugging a new decoder back in, check to make sure there are no intermittant shorts, like when going around curves, and verify that the motor isn't drawing more current than the decoder is rated for.

                                  --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 9:52 AM

 Did you properly isolate the motor from any contact with the frame?  Did you remove the Athearn light bracket so it couldn't short against the decoder?  Your problem sounds like an improper install or short circuit; possibly a bad motor overloading the decoder.

TCS has a "goof proof" warranty.  Send them the decoder and they will replace it, no questions asked.  Once, as Randy Rinker pointed out.  If you blow a second one because of an improper install or shorted decoder, all bets are off.

 

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Southeast Kansas
  • 1,329 posts
Posted by wholeman on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 9:37 PM

Thank you all for the responses.  I don't usually bring up old posts but I thought it would help.  I have examined this problematic loco and have come to a conclusion.  Whenever the motor gets a little bit of power such as when I start off in speed step 1, there are sparks and an electrical smell coming from it.  The motor is jerky and is hesitant.  The motor is open frame.

Could this be the problem?

Will

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 10:01 PM

 Very definitely so.  It sounds like you have a shorted winding in the motor armature, the brushes are worn out, or a worn bearing is allowing the armature to touch the field winding.  A new motor is what you probably need.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!