Soldering is good as long as you check everything out before you do so. What was the problem you were having with suitcase connectors? They should have worked fine.
Springfield PA
I now use suitcase connecters, because when I tried soldering the wires I had problems.
It is one of those, what ever works type of things. glad you got it working.
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
David B,
The "quarter test" proved to be the element that I needed to find the problem. There was NO short circuit ANYWHERE on the layout!! So, I decided to wire the command station wires to the Bus the old fashion way. I used solder instead of the "suitcase connectors". Miracle of miracles, that solved the problem!! Both locomotives "woke up" immediately!!
I feel pretty stupid about all of this. But I am thankful for friends like you and Randy who are willing to help a guy out.
Thanks
Craig North Carolina
Pick,
I do not have a test track, but after all of this, I think I am going to have one. I was thinking of using it as a programing track as well.
Some decoders, like QSI sound decoders, have "start up" and "shut down" features like you describe. That's a function of the decoder, not your Digitrax DCC system. Go to the decoder manufacturer's website and find out what F button to push (and how many times) to start up again.
FWIW doing "shut down" on an engine doesn't stop it from continuing to draw power. I've had similar problems shutting down an engine and then having trouble remembering how to start it up again. Now I have a couple of "ready tracks" where I ormally have a couple of engines on my switching layout (actually one outside track and a one-stall enigne house) that are a separate block so I can click a switch to turn off power to the block when I want to.
Hi Craig,
I an low case dyscectic so manuals are a pain in the butt. by saying you turn the loco off, you switched the track power off. We do that all the time in our self routing fiddleyard, 99% of locos mostly Tsunami's and QSI's are stopped in it's loop and shut off audibly as the power is re-routed to another loop. All restart soundwise as sonn as track is repowered by the points, the odd ones are ESU's which will move but need F1 to get sound. Your brass Tsunami died when track was killed should power up audio wise as soon as power is re applied.
Oh ye, yuo got a test track? Out goes rong with mine I slap em on straight away, best fault finder. got a feeling you need to check wiring again mate, we all make soon real cockups..
Be in touch.
pick.
Most of my sound locos in HO have the same procedure to turn off the sound and shut down the loco. Double clicking # 9 button once puts the loco in Idle mode, double click on #9 a second time puts the loco in disconnect mode, finally, double click on #9 a third time will put the loco in full shutdown mode. To bring the loco back to life double click on the #6 button once.
To just mute the sound just press the # 8 button once, press # 8 again and the sound comes on again. The manuals for the individual locomotives will tell you what the commands are and what CV's do what.
One more thing. When you turn on the track power and the red light on the DB150 comes on, look at the display on your throttle. There is a small dot on it on the right side of the display, if it is flashing you have to keep pushing the power button and the Y+ button until it is on solid and no longer flashes.
I fixed the 9 beep problem. Now I get just one beep. I am able to get the track light on after pushing the Power button and the Y+ button. I have used a volt meter to confirm power on the track at several different locations. I will try the "quarter on the track" method tomorrow.
I am up tonight trying to read the Digitrax manuals, yet another time. Trying to see what I could be missing.
I REALLY appreciate everyone's help in trying to get me out of my present problem. I should also, thank my 7 years old nephew for dropping by tonight. It was he, who got me to stop building scenery and try and run trains again. I switched projects to scenery in January after one of my business partners changed careers and another was diagnosed with cancer. It was easier to pick up and put down scenery projects. THAT was obviously a mistake. I should have tested the railroad immediately after building the new shelf for the electronic equipment, but I didn't.
I have kept all of the manuals and all the material with respect to the DB 150 command/booster and the PM 42's.
I am using the Digitrax system as I bought it several years ago, without any extra components. Once, I get things running, I would add the second DB 150 and two PM42's to divide up the layout into power districts.
No, I can not control any other locomotives on the layout because my other locomotives are being fitted with Tsunami decoder sound system by a friend. I would love to have another DCC locomotive to try to see if there was any difference.
No, I have not tried putting a quarter on the track. But, tomorrow, I will try that.
I hate being stupid, but I have no idea what you mean by "re-setting the address with the DB 150. And I do not know what slot max is either. That is part of the problem, I am not versed well enough in DCC electronics to know what I don't know.
Randy,
I have not added the second DB 150 yet. I am still trying to run the system (Digitrax Empire Builder) like I have from the beginning. Have not used the PM42's either.
No, in the other thread he was getting 9 beeps.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Umm, since you added a second DB150 - does it have a wire between the config A and ground terminals on the connector? If not you have 2 command stations and that's a big no-no. ANd could be the source of the beeps as well as nothign running.
I moved my Digitrax system to a more central section of the layout room about 8-9 months ago. It was working fine before the move. I always turn off the track and then the power station. I also had "learned" to "turn off" individual sound equipped locomotives. For example, park a locomotive on a spur or engine servicing facilities and push a "button" and it would turn off. By that, I mean that the light would go off and the sound would go off at the same time. The locomotive would not respond to any commands until it was turned "on" again. I have done this with my BLI N&W Class J and a brass import with Tsunami sound decoder. The problem is, I can't get it to "turn ON" now. I do not remember the commands!!
Now, it could be a problem with the system itself. But, when I turn on the power supple and the command station, I get ONE BEEP. Then, I turn on the track with the throttle. No problem, the track light turns orange on the DP150. I enter the address of the locomotive(s) and NOTHING!!
I have tested the power on the track with a volt meter and it is ON. What am I doing wrong. I am reading the Digitrax manuals AGAIN!! No help. I am dyslexic and am a physical learner and an oral learner. This means that I might be misreading the manual or not seeing what I need to learn. I am in model railroad or scrap yard!!
HELP!!