I have a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 with a decoder installed in the tender. I purchased it this way on Ebay a few years ago and didn't know it was DCC (the seller failed to mention this?). I just converted to DCC a few months ago and haden't run this loco until today. It worked on address 03 and ran fine. I put it on my programming track (separate from layout) and programmed it to the road number. When i put if back on the layout it wouldn't run at all. Apparently it didn't accept the new address. I put it back on the program track and reset it for address 03. Now it will run on the layout, but only forward, and at full throttle but it craws at about 5mph? and shakes like there is a broken gear or something. I removed it and replaced the tender with a DC version (exact same loco but without a decoder) and it runs fine. Could I have fried the decoder somehow? I also tried to program it with a 1K resistor across the rails like I did with my Proto 2000 locos and it still didn't seem to accept any changes. I hope I have given enough info here for someone to possibly recognize what I did wrong or what might be the problem. BTW, there is no name on the decoder, just 'made in China' on the black plastic wrap and this is not a factory install; the tender shell has been cut on the inside to put the decoder up inside the coal load?. Also, I am using a Digitrax Zypher and am in HO.
Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
See if you can read CV8 and get a manufacturer ID on it. Programming it on the program track certainly didn't fry it, something else must be wrong. This could be ssome really cheap older decoder that only does 14 speed steps so the default CV29 values are no good, but the first step is to figure out just what kind of decoder it is. Or reeplace it with a good wuality known decoder and avoid headaches.
Which decoders are in your Proto 2000 locos that needed the 1K resistor trick? I have yet to have any I needed to do that for with my Zephyr.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy,
My P2K GP7's have Digitrax DH165LO decoders. I may have confused them with another loco that required the 1K resistor. I also have a Spectrum 44 tonner that I had to program the address. I got the suggestion on the forum about the resistor, but don't remember which loco it was. I wil try to get the mfg ID from CV8. Is there a CV that will reset to default from the mfg? I am new at DCC and there is a lot to learn as I am finding out.
The Bachmann one was probably the one that needed the resistor - if it was one of those that came with DCC already installed.
There MAY be a reset, but there is no standard, different brands use different procedures - so the reading of CV8 to get the manufacturer ID is critical, if it's not on the decoder itself. Once we have some clue of what decoder it is, we can see if there is a reset, or just what it may or may not be capable of.
I tried CV8 but it won't read it. All I get is an error code 'd na'. I just happen to get another engine today that has an MRCC decoder in it and it looks identical to this one, so maybe it is an MRC also.This new engine doesn't work either and it is in a Spectrum 4-6-0? I pulled the decoder out of the 2-8-0 and replace the jumpers and it runs on DC now, but it still has a jerking like one of the drivers is out of quarter, or a similar problem? In any case I will most likely put new decoders in both engines; either Digitrax or NCE. I haven't tried a TCS decoder yet but understand they are quite good too. This has been very discouraging so far since I don't really know that much about DCC yet.
I was sort of thinking that's what it was. One of MRC's old motor-only decoders, backw hen they had that silly system with the three sliders. 14 speed steps only, no readback, and it supports only the absolute bare minimum of settings - using register mode, which means it doesn't exactly have CVs in the way newer decoders have them.
Your best bet it to toss that and replace with just about ANYTHING else. Get the mechanical issue fixed first though, if it doesn't run smoothly on DC it's not goign to do any betetr on DCC no matter how good a decoder you put in it.
Do 1 of 2 things. Learn to put your own decoders in (it's REALLY not that hard on most newer locos. The decoder wires are color-coded, the loco may ir may not be but there's never that many wires that you can't trace them out and see which ones are the rail pickups and which ones go to the motor), or buy locos with sound and dcc installed - as long as it's Tsunami or QSI and not MRC sound. It will be much less frustrating, as the factory locos with good decoders generally run well, and when you do it yourself you know what you are using and how it was installed. If you are unsure, have a professional install one and then examien it when you get it back and learn how they did it.
For non-sound decoders I would pick TCS< the NCEm and Digitrax last - even though I use a Digitrax DCC system. Nothing wrong with Digitrax ones, I just think TCS does a better job with BEMF, and they handle using LEDs for function effects like strobes much better. And NCE kills everyone on price - if you just want a basic motor decoder with headlight, the D13SRJ can be had for $12ea if you buy a 10 pack. Hard to say it costs too much to convert a loco to DCC if it's only $12. And it's a good solid decoder.
---Randy
Thanks for all of your help on this. I have thought about the whole decoder issue on both of these engines and now that both are removed I will toss them and install new ones. I will give the NCE and TCS both a try, one in each loco. I don't know about any of the lighting effects or some of the other features at this time, but if I use a decoder with them, then I can apply them later when I am more knowledgable of DCC in general. I don't know if I would continue with this without guys like yourself and this forum. Thanks again and keep up the good, honest support you provide to others.