While programming a tcs t1 decoader with a zepher in paged mode, my intermountain F3 started moving on the programming track at about half throttle. Had 16.2 v at the prog track, isolated prog wires and had the 16.2 at the programming connection at the back of the Zepher, same with track power on or off. Turned system off then on, and seems to be OK. Kinda look's like I need to call Digitrax but now thinking prerhaps this is just one of those gliches...Have had it for a few years and added the duplex to it.. However on a fixed income cant afford to fry decoaders. Did Reprogram the decoader later and it works, except for headlights and all cvs check out to be ok, isolated lights and tested OK, center leads (lights)at board not hot in either direction. The t1 has a 8 pin wire loom.
Main question, do Zephers occasionly power up the prog track, kinda like a glich, or does this need to go back the shop and be fixed?
2nd question, is it really worth fixing thinking $$$ and just replace it, guess I could use it as a slave control only
I haven't had that happen to mine in some 7 years of Zephyr ownership. Is your program track absolutely isoalted fromt he layout or is a (supposedly) insulated siding where perhaps one or both of the gaps closed up, connecting it to the main? If you're getting constant voltge ont he progrma track, something's wrong. As a last resort try doing the OpSw 39 reset in the back of the manual in case you Zephyr just has scrambled brains.
It's still repairable, not sure what they would charge for an out of warranty repair on a Zephyr but it's much less than buying a new one. And don't worry about the TCS decoder, if you fry it even through wiring it wrong, the first replacement is on them - just don't fry the repalcement or you'll have to pay for the third.
--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 Randy.
I Programming track is absolutly isolated, it has a dead 20 inch dead track, between the layout yard track and the programming track. First thing i did was grab my simpson meter and check between the programing and dead track, and from the dead track to the yard track. No voltage, no ohms resistence at 10,000 ohms. The engine ran onto the dead track and died, sure glad I put this in as it worked and is so easy to just slide it when done, dont have to handel it to rerail.
Will call digitrax today and see what shakes out, being the prog terms at the back of it was 16.2. Thinking back now this thing did this a few months ago. I also come to think about it occasionaly starts up with all tracks hot in all engine on layout taking off like jackrabbits LOL I turned all analog swiches to off, but still does it occasionaly, the end of my yard is a nine track swing up, and that got a tad exciting once LOL Thanks again Randy, ws running with the same thoughts ;)
BTW, if it turns out to be damaged and needing repair check out this non-warranty page on the Digitrax site
http://www.digitrax.com/warranty4.php
Basically it is a very reasonable $35, which includes prepaid return shipping regardless of what needs to be done to the system, so well worth getting repaired should that be necessary.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
This sounds very similar to the problem I am having with my Zephyr. Occasionally when I start up, locos just start taking off and will not respond to any commands. At first I thought it was the decoder in the loco but it has happened with two different locos. Resetting OpSw 39 fixed it both times. Must be a glitch in the Zephyr. Not very happy about this "bug", which is a shame because other than that I like my Zephyr.
RRicommish....Turn off the analog cv's, Tony Trains has a very informative article on this and a how to do it. If I remember correctly has somthing to do with startup and the Zepher looking for decoaders then going full analog with all decoaders, being track is at full voltage every engine takes off at full speed. I too really like the zepher, after changeing all analog CV's to off havent had any problems. But still pause a second with my finger on the track power button, to make sure LOL .
I've had mine do that to me before, but I have never had any other problems. Unless it starts doing it on a regular basis, I wouldn't worry about it, just chalk it up to the Gremlins.