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NCE D13SJR Programming problem

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  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: S.E. Adirondacks, NY
  • 3,246 posts
NCE D13SJR Programming problem
Posted by modelmaker51 on Sunday, December 27, 2009 3:29 PM

I'm having an issue programming lighting for a D13SJR. Front and rear light ok. Function 2 (output 3) + CV122 value 12 - Rotary Beacon also ok.

Function 3 (output 4) = CV123 value 0 - On/Off (number boards) always stays on. Any ideas why it won't shut off?

As a test I did reverse functions 3 and 4, and the number boards flashed on and off, but I could not turn the beacon off.

Jay 

C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1 

Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Sunday, December 27, 2009 5:53 PM

 Did you notice the notes at the bottom of page 5 that you must add 128 to a function CV value if you are using an LED ?

Other than this possibility I can't imagine why it's not working if you used the purple wire for output 4.

Something rather strange about NCE D13SRJ decoder documentation that I have noticed -- I have two sets of documents here -- both are for Decoder Version 3.5.  One set does not list CV 123 as being available and the other has a small notation "Now with Four Function Outputs" and mentions the purple wire controlled by CV 123.  

Perhaps you have one of the older D13SRJ decoders that did not support CV 123 and is not connected internally to the purple wire.  But the light should not even come on if this is the case.

Both documents are Copyright 2003.  One says Last Revised 15 October 2003 and the other is 30 October 2003.

 Substituting another D13SRJ decoder might be the only way to know for sure.

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: S.E. Adirondacks, NY
  • 3,246 posts
Posted by modelmaker51 on Monday, December 28, 2009 3:17 PM

I mistakenly named the D13SRJ, when it should have been D13SR (the hard wired one). If it were the other I certainly would switch it out. ATM I don't feel like rewiring all that spaghetti again so I'll live with the number boards on all the time for now. I will send NCE an email and see what they have to say. thanks.

Jay 

C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1 

Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Monday, December 28, 2009 4:03 PM

 I learned the hard way to always use a decoder with a JST plug on it if at all possible.  This seems to fall into one of those Murphy's Law things that says if you hard wire a decoder into the locomotive, it will be faulty.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Gateway City
  • 1,593 posts
Posted by yankee flyer on Monday, December 28, 2009 6:23 PM

 Hi

I bought one of the D13SRJ and never did get the lights to work. I tried LEDs and bulbs, nothing. Finally switched it for a Soundtrax sound unit and threw the D13 in the trash.
I hope you have better luck than me.

Have fun.

Lee

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: S.E. Adirondacks, NY
  • 3,246 posts
Posted by modelmaker51 on Monday, December 28, 2009 7:56 PM

Lee, you're comment is not helpfull nor wanted. I have more than 30 D13s and this is the first one that's given me any trouble, (and minor at that). I've used nearly every lighting function with no failures until this one, so that's 1 out of 30+. You tried one and gave up? NCE would have replaced it, if you had bothered. There's no need to denegrate a whole line because you had one failure and threw it in the trash. BTW, I've had 3 Soundtrax decoders fail on me, did I give up and throw them out? No, I sent them to Soundtrax who promptly replaced them, which NCE would also do if I choose to go that route.

Jay 

C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1 

Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Gateway City
  • 1,593 posts
Posted by yankee flyer on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 10:02 AM

 Wow
EASY, I just posted my experience , I use NCE equipment and like it.
I hope tomorrow is a better day for you.

Regards 

Lee

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 11:46 AM

 I use Digitrax but I went through a 10 pack of D13SRJ's without a single problem with any of them. It's a very reliable and inexpensive basic 'fleet' decoder when you don't need sound or dozens of functions. I put them in everything, from plug-ins to hard wiring. Almost always with LEDs.

                          --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
    August 2005
  • From: S.E. Adirondacks, NY
  • 3,246 posts
Posted by modelmaker51 on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 4:15 PM

Lee, I'm sorry for the way I reacted,  but your comment did not add anything to the discussion and could leave a noobe with a false impression about NCE products.

All the DCC manufacturers have had issues at one time or another, how they deal with their issue is what matters and as far as my case goes  NCE answered my email within 5 hours (!) and suggested that that decoder may have a faulty transister on the #4 output and would exchange it should I wish to.

I have a few more decoders, so I will switch it out and probably use the faulty one in a loco that doesn't need the #4 output, (it would cost me 1/2 the price of the decoder just to ship it back, which if it didn't work at all I would).

The D13 series is a heck of a buy ($12) for a 4 function no frills, reliable decoder. As I had 30 engines to convert when I switched to DCC about 3 years ago this was the perfect product & price to get up and running fairly quickly. I have yet to replace any of them, I'm not a fan of sound because of the response curve (too tinny), so until they find a way to transmit the low end to a central full range speaker(s), I'll pass, but this is for another thread.

 

Jay 

C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1 

Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 9:53 AM

 For information of all concerned, Empire Northern Models in Webster, New York, the same town that NCE is in, sells the D13SRJ decoders in a 10 per bulk pack for $11.95 each (plus USPS shipping charges), and you get 10 wiring harnesses with them.

 I haven't found them cheaper from any of the other NCE dealers.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 10:44 AM

 That's where I get mine. No excuse to use buzzy 'zero stretching' to run a loco with decoders that cheap. And no excuse for the crappy decoder Bachmann uses when far better is available for less than they charge for one of those.

                                --Randy

 

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

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

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