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Runaway Athearn FP7 w/Tsunami Soundtraxx

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  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 103 posts
Runaway Athearn FP7 w/Tsunami Soundtraxx
Posted by Georgia Trains on Sunday, February 6, 2011 6:45 PM

I have a three months old Athearn FP7 w/Tsunami Soundtraxx. Itbhas been running great. I did change the number address to a 4 digit number and adjust CV3 & 4. Everything has been great.

Today the locomotive started moving on it's on as if someone else was controlling it. It would even ring the bell, blow the horn, and reverse on it's own.

I put it on the program track and tried to reprogram everything - to no avail.

All of my other engines are operating fine but, this is the only Athearn I have.

I am using a Digitrax Zephyr System.

Any ideas how to rset this this locomotive?

Larry

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 693 posts
Posted by woodone on Sunday, February 6, 2011 7:30 PM

Do you have the original instructions= or how the sounds were set up in this locomotive.

You might want to visit the SoundTraxx web pages. I think that some where there is a settings page for Athearn locomotives.

To do a factory reset=  program CV8 to 8  and remove the power for a bit.

This will set the decoder to a factory  setting-  you will lose any and all settings that were in the decoder if there were any made.

   

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 103 posts
Posted by Georgia Trains on Sunday, February 6, 2011 8:06 PM

I think I still have the orginal paperwork - I'll check. I'll also try what you suggested about CV8.

Many thanks

 

Larry

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 103 posts
Posted by Georgia Trains on Sunday, February 6, 2011 9:02 PM

OK-

I reset the system with CV=8 and LOCO to 03. Everything now seems like when it came out of the box.

Then I went back and programmed my 4 digit address and now the locomotive goes back to runnig away again.

??????????????

Larry

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Sunday, February 6, 2011 9:13 PM

If you're using the long address I'd suggest you set cv29 to 34.  Turn the DC mode off. 

Springfield PA

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 693 posts
Posted by woodone on Sunday, February 6, 2011 9:41 PM

With a Zephyr, how are  you programming the locomotive?  Are you using a program track booster?

or using a resistor ?  Doing this in ops mode?

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 103 posts
Posted by Georgia Trains on Monday, February 7, 2011 5:43 AM

I do have a seperate programing trcak standing alone from the system. I program in "dir"mode  and I have the booster.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Monday, February 7, 2011 9:34 AM

Set CV 29 to a value of 34 to disable DC operation.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Monday, February 7, 2011 9:37 AM

 Di you have any additional throttles besides the Zephyr console? You may have that address selected and set with the bell on and a non-zero speed. Unless you have a bunch of consists created, look in the back of the Zephyr manual on the Option Switch settings and close OpSw 36 to clear the memory on the Zephyr and see if the problem goes away.

                         --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
    June 2010
  • 103 posts
Posted by Georgia Trains on Monday, February 7, 2011 10:10 PM

Randy-

I am in Savannah on business and not near my layout (near Atlanta). I do utilize a UT4R remote Throttle. The locomotive I am having the problem with is the same selected on the throttle. I think you may have hit on a fix. I'll try it when I get back home.

Larry

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