I just installed a Digitrax plug-n-play decoder for my N scale Intermountain F7 and the only thing that works is the headlight of the loco. I have the Prodigy Express DCC system and just soldered 2 feeders onto a piece of brand new flex track. I attached the feeders to the "Main Track" terminals of the power pack. I programed the loco according to my prodigy manual. Like I said, the loco won't run at all (just the headlight). I can't figure this out, please help. Thanks.
Sounds like the motor tabs aren't making contact. There are several options, such as building up the contacts on the decoder with solder. Make sure everything is properly seatedin the right place.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks for the suggestions guys, but it is still not working. I took the loco apart and made sure the motor contacts were touching, and they seem to be. I put the loco on the track with the screws that secure the decoder and the headlight went out. When I applied pressure to the decoder to the frame, the light came back on. My theory is that the motor contacts are touching the decoder contacts. I don't know what I am doing wrong. Maybe I programed the loco wrong. I am new to this DCC game, so it's possible. Any more suggestions out there? Thanks in advance.
Can you control the light? Does it go on and off when you press 0? If so, it's responding to the programmed address. Since it's a Digitrax decoder, program CV8 to 8 to reset it, and see if it works on address 3. Resetting the decoder would eliminate any mis-programming you may have accidently done.
I did not control the light via the controller. I simply unscrewed the decoder from the frame of the loco to determine if there was contact between the decoder and the motor contacts. I figured out that in fact there was contact between the motor and the decoder. Randy, how do I reset the decoder? I just went through Prodidy's instructions to figure this out,and still nothing. Just the light works and nothing else. This really stinks. Is there anyone out there that lives in Massachusetts who may be able to help me with this hands on?
Chris
If the lights just come on and you can't turn them on and off with the light button, something's defintiely not right.
To reset it, put the loco on your program track and set CV8 to 8. Then take it off the track. Once you put it back on the main if the decoder is installed properly then you should be able to select address 3 and run it.
B&Mman I just installed a Digitrax plug-n-play decoder for my N scale Intermountain F7 and the only thing that works is the headlight of the loco. I have the Prodigy Express DCC system and just soldered 2 feeders onto a piece of brand new flex track. I attached the feeders to the "Main Track" terminals of the power pack. I programed the loco according to my prodigy manual. Like I said, the loco won't run at all (just the headlight). I can't figure this out, please help. Thanks.
Dude,
i just went thru this.
Bought a new Atlas B-30 Loco with a Lenz decoder installed.
Tinned the contact points on the decoder,no dice.
Tinned the pick ups on the wheels,no dice.
Spent 2 hours eyelevel with it today on the test track and noticed the wheels were to close together so i could turn the trucks quite a bit while it was on the track.
Spread the wheels out just slightly and i was coupling up flat cars at the slightest speed with great control and i have a piece of **** old school prodigy.
Give it a try and let us know.
Rock on,
Y.J.
Can you turn the light on and off with the controller?
How did you confirm that the posts were making contact with the decoder removed? Also make sure the two brass motor contacts haven't shifted where they make contact with the frame or each other when the decoder is tightened down.
Make sure you have the right decoder. The IM F units have longer motor posts than the IM FT's. Compare the length of the stock motor posts on the DC boards to those on the decoder. Make sure they are the same length
My loco still isn't working. It's hard to tell if the motor contacts are touching the frame with the decoder on top of them. I don't understand why the headlight would still work if the contacts aren't aligned properly. I'm going to a hobby store tomorrow after work. Supposedly there is someone there who knows about DCC. I need someone right there to look at the loco. I'm not well versed enough in DCC to figure this out on my own. I appreciate the helpfull hints from everyone.
The TRACK contacts could be working just fine - which would explain the lights working, but the MOTOR contacts might not be touching, which would keep it from moving.
Just for clarification, the motor contacts are the ones on the top of the frame, correct? Now my DC Intermountain F7 is not working. I took the DC chip on and off also. No lights, nothing working on that one. Something fishy is going on here. I guess the contacts are screwed up somehow. I've also messed with the 2 wheel contacts. They've come off a bunch of times, but they look aligned properly.