Have some N scale engines I put Digitrax DZ125 decoders in some time ago. Both have been reset to day one settings and are run on clean track. One started to run for 2 -3 min then stop then start up again untill recently it fails to run at all. The other is just starting to do the same thing. No signs of overheating nor shorts. First time I have seen this, is this signs of age or can I try some remedies.... Thanks much
All other locos work fine, cleaned track and loco already.
Is it the decoders or the engines?
Are the two engines identical?
I am thinking that there may be a loose or broken pickup wire.
In my experience, when a decoder goes bad, it just simply fails, never to work again.
And, the only time that a decoder has gone bad on me is when it got fried for some reason.
I have not heard of a decoder deteriorating with age.
Rich
Alton Junction
You should invest in a decoder tester. They cost around $25 to $30 and are invaluable in situations like this one.
What DCC system are you running? This is an almost clear sign of having the same loco selected on multiple throttles.
--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: Good thought, which may relate to a problem I'm having reprogramming some of my locos.
Are you suggeting that if the loco is selected on a throttle which is not plugged in - it prevents another throttle from controlling it or programming it?
That all depends on what DCC system you have. Not all allow the same loco to be selected on more than oen throttle. On those that do, control will suffer - if one throttle is set for 25% speed and the other for 50% speed, the locow ill jump up and down in speed. Programmign on the main might be compromised, but using the program track should not be affected.
rrinker That all depends on what DCC system you have. Not all allow the same loco to be selected on more than oen throttle. On those that do, control will suffer - if one throttle is set for 25% speed and the other for 50% speed, the locow ill jump up and down in speed. Programmign on the main might be compromised, but using the program track should not be affected. --Randy
With the NCE Pro Cab, you can select the same loco on more than one throttle. If you are using one throttle to control the loco, then switch to the other throttle, you have to reset the speed. But there is no up and down in speed until you switch throttles.
Guys: I'm a Digitrax guy (good, bad or indifferent). Normally, it will ask me if I want to 'steal' a loco if it's selected by another throttle, but i have had runaways, so.....
One way to be sure is to purge all loco's from the system buffer. Post your system type and we can tell you how. That way you'll know for sure about 2 throttles being assigned. Also as noted earlier check all of your rail joiners. That can easily cause the problem. Plenty of times we see people say they've been runnign a long time without multiple feeders. Eventually the joiners will show them why they should have additional feeders.
Springfield PA
It really sounds like you have that loco selected on 2 throttles then, you turn the speed up on one, it starts running, then it stops without touching the throttle.
I'm using the DB 150