That's for the update. FWIW I think you are on track, it HAS to be some sort of issue witht he kyboard membrane or connector. No problem with te microcontrolelr int eh throttle would make everythign else work great except one of the keys in that particular row. Hopefully they will provide some post mortem info. And even more so, I REALLY hope they take a look atthe repair process since hty ekept sendign it back sayign it's fine, and knowing you, I can't imagien the EXACT issue wan't mentioned on at least oneof those trips back. Given also that a completely differen tthrottle on otherwise the same system works just fine pretty much rules out any chance of some other system component being at fault.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Nick, you have had better luck than I have with Digitrax. I have sent my DT 400 back two times now and it still has issues. I kept getting strange looking readouts on my screen plus the keys stick or will not take a command on the first push. Lets say I am trying to get engine 6, push the F6 key, nothing, push it again and it comes up as 66?
Simon 1966 finally came over and cleaned up where the computer chip plus in, so that finally works right! Buttons on the other hand still have problems!
Ken
I hate Rust
Thanks for the update, Nick. That's great news! It's always good when a bad situation turns out well in the end - even with all the frustration that goes along with it.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Today, 4/18/2012, the replacement DT400R from Digitrax arrived. I immediately took it and tested it on both Digitrax systems I own. The throttle worked perfectly as expected. I have contacted Dave at Digitrax to let them know the test results and to offer my help. I made a video of exactly how the DT400R was failing. Although, it will never win an Emmy for best film, it clearly shows what happens when the lower Fundtion keys, 10, 11, 12 are pushed. It also shows using those same functions on a UT4R on the exact same engine and layout. This has been an unfortunate situation for all parties concerned but the end result was that I now have a working throttle and Digitrax has a valid piece of documentation to examine. My hope is that they will contact me to explain exactly what the problem was. There is no obligation on their part but it would help immensly for both users and ther tech support if a problem like this pops up again since there are a lot of old throttles out their like mine.
Respectfully,
Nick Kulp
Shermans Dale, Pa.
I wanted to expand a bit on the discussion with no animosity towards Digitrax. When I spoke to tech support, I asked that exact question about the keypad. Since I have had a lot of experience with computer keyboards from the early 1980s while being IT support for the US Navy (30 years). They used to use mylar "bubbles" on the early keyboards that are similar to the carbon contacts on the Digitrax throttles. The keyboards would fails with regularity after years of use. After Digitrax downgraded my throttle to the DT400R, the exact problem happened so I knew at that time, the only logical choice was the only part they did not change. My suspicions are, during the upgrade to a DT402R, the tech damaged either one of the foil traces on the keypad or the connection to the CPU board. Since I was told a bad keyboard was not the likely suspect, I let the matter drop. My sincere hope is that Digitrax will follow-up when the defective throttle is returned and let all of us know what the real problem was. I've done a lot of BETA testing for other manufacturers and I feel I could help Digitrax with my experience. I'd rather help them than fight with them. I'm retired and I have a lot of experience with making bug reports and hardware testing. I'll keep the froup informed about any progress.
cornwall9 I even asked Dave at Digitrax what the problem might be. .
I even asked Dave at Digitrax what the problem might be. .
That explains the difficulty.
cornwall9 ...it is only fair that I also post something when they make the effort to correct the problem. When the new throttle arrives, I will post my test results. I feel it is the only adult thing to do in this case.
...it is only fair that I also post something when they make the effort to correct the problem. When the new throttle arrives, I will post my test results. I feel it is the only adult thing to do in this case.
I agree, and appreciate your even-handed approach. I think you have been more than patient, and endured more than enough exasperation and repetitive problems over this throttle...not to mention the expense. It is a challenge, when you think you're bing victimized, or treated with mere indifference, to keep an even tone and to continue to attempt to sway the other party with logic and alternative options. I think you have handled the matter maturely, and it doesn't hurt that you are also skilled in technology of this nature. At the same time, it is good to learn that the other party is also taking your case seriously and that they are willing to continue their expression of Good Will by simply replacing the item entirely.
Crandell
I have 4 Digitrax throttles, 2 of them have been back for repair. One twice. I'm glad they are replacing. They do want to support the hobby.
Richard
Good, keep us posted.
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
A few minutes ago, literally, I received an email from Digitrax (Brenda). They are sending me a replacement DT400R that several techs and AJ personally has tested. Since I made a huge noise about how bad tech support seemed to be, it is only fair that I also post something when they make the effort to correct the problem. When the new throttle arrives, I will post my test results. I feel it is the only adult thing to do in this case.
Time to kick it up the food chain at Digitrax I would say. Keep going up the organizational chart until it gets resolved.
I can't imagine anyone on here will have a magic solution? If you are monitoring the loconet and clearly seeing the false commands being sent then something is not right? F11 being somewhat close to the power and emergency stop sort of makes it feel like a bad keypad. Has this been bounced around on the Digitrax forum on Yahoo as well?
Tom / Simon,
First. The throttle was originally a DT400R. It had a catastrophic failure in November and went totally DOA. It lost control of a loco and the screen went blank. It was not a battery issue or a problem with the layout. It failed using both Radio and plugged into the Loconet. It was sent in November for repair and upgrade to a DT402R. It returned in late January with the same problem it had been returned for.
F11 can be assigned to any function on any decoder. F11 should not trigger other functions, EVER. F11 should simply send the F11 command to the DCC command station. I can use the JMRI software to monitor Loconet traffic on my computer. The throttle never sends the F11 to the DCC system. F10 and F12 also do not function at all.
The first time it returned after the repair / upgrade to the DT402R was when the problem started. I even asked Dave at Digitrax what the problem might be. He said it was a "bad CPU" He replaced the CPU and returned it. It failed exactly the same way as soon as I tried it. It was returned again in March. It just came back 4/12/2012 for the 4th time. The last time I requested it be returned to a DT400R as the problem had not occurredwhen it was a DT400R.
When I contacted tech support the last time, I asked if it could be the keypad but I was told they "do not fail" so I have to rely on the tech support person to know if that is true. It is very strange that 3 different "new" CPUs would fail and cause the exact problem. It honestly appears that the keypad is the problem. I know the older membrane contacts on PC keyboards failed after a while. Why not the same thing with the DT400 / DT402 ?
Regardless of what was "supposed" to happen when F11 is pushed, the throttle should show 11 in the display. It makes no difference as what type of decoder is used or the type of locomotive.. I've been using Digitrax equipment since 1994 when the Big Boy came out. I am not a newbie. I have done clinics at shows on how to use JMRI PanelPro for signaling. I've recently assisted a local club in installing a large Digitrax system. The club had not been able to operate for over 3 years because no members understood DCC and the old members quit before it was wired. I held op sessions on my layout for over 15 years and taught others how to use Digitrax equipment.
It is not the DCC systems, so far 5 different systems on 5 different layouts have been tried. The problem is definitely the throttle. Other throttles work perfectly on the two systems in my home, and at the club with different locos.This throttle is the problem, not layouts or decoders.
I do not believe that Digitrax is intentionally sending unrepaired throttles back to be vindictive but, it is really apparent that someone is not really following through at tech support. I could prove it if Digitrax would send a NEW throttle. I have already proven it with a throttle from the club. I worked as a tech support team leader for almost 30 years. If I would have had this happen more than once, I would have lost my job. This problem is not just bad luck, this really smacks of truly poor quality control.
cornwall9 In November 2011 my DT400R failed at an op session I returned the throttle for repair and upgrade.
In November 2011 my DT400R failed at an op session I returned the throttle for repair and upgrade.
What was it upgraded to? DT402R, DT402D? In what way did it fail in this first instance?
cornwall9 On January 26, 2012, the throttle was returned and a brief test to check if I could acquire a loco was performed. That function worked and I felt happy the throttle was supposedly repaired. I took the throttle to an op session 2 weeks later and chaos happened. When F11 was pushed, it killed track power, locked the whistle on the loco and dispatched the loco.
On January 26, 2012, the throttle was returned and a brief test to check if I could acquire a loco was performed. That function worked and I felt happy the throttle was supposedly repaired. I took the throttle to an op session 2 weeks later and chaos happened. When F11 was pushed, it killed track power, locked the whistle on the loco and dispatched the loco.
Were you in Radio mode? Did you try regaining control with a direct plug into the loconet? Curious if the same issue exists plugged in as well as on radio? What was supposed to happen with F11 on this decoder?
cornwall9 I sent it back to Digitrax again for repair. It has been returned 3 times since with the last time to revert it back to a DT400R. Today, it returned for the 4th time and it has been reverted to a DT400R but it still has the exact same problem. It has been tested on 2 seperate systems, a signaling module I won, plus a layout under construction.
I sent it back to Digitrax again for repair. It has been returned 3 times since with the last time to revert it back to a DT400R. Today, it returned for the 4th time and it has been reverted to a DT400R but it still has the exact same problem. It has been tested on 2 seperate systems, a signaling module I won, plus a layout under construction.
So on either of these 2 systems, each with a different command station, if you press F11 regardless of the locomotive/decoder involved the track power is shut down, loco is dispatched and the whistle comes on? Is this the limit of the issues? Everything else works correctly?
cornwall9 The Digitrax systems are not connected in any way. I cannot get Digitrax to fix this throttle and I am at a loss. I have spent almost $60.00 in shipping costs plus almost 5 months of aggravation but the throttle is still unrepaired. I used to be a huge supporter of Digitrax but to date, every repair I have sent over the past 4 years has failed and I cannot get any satisfaction from Digitrax. Does anyone have any suggestions other than taking legal action ? I am at wit's end. The layouts work fine with my other throttles UT4R and UT4. UR91s on both systems work fine.
The Digitrax systems are not connected in any way. I cannot get Digitrax to fix this throttle and I am at a loss. I have spent almost $60.00 in shipping costs plus almost 5 months of aggravation but the throttle is still unrepaired. I used to be a huge supporter of Digitrax but to date, every repair I have sent over the past 4 years has failed and I cannot get any satisfaction from Digitrax. Does anyone have any suggestions other than taking legal action ? I am at wit's end. The layouts work fine with my other throttles UT4R and UT4. UR91s on both systems work fine.
First of all, Digitrax has obviously not singled you out to deliberately not repair the throttle. They have a great reputation for repairs and my personal experience has been very good. This throttle is clearly passing their repair/test procedure, otherwise it would not be sent back.
What command stations are in use in these locations? What loco/decoder are you using?
cornwall9 I used to be a huge supporter of Digitrax but to date, every repair I have sent over the past 4 years has failed and I cannot get any satisfaction from Digitrax. Does anyone have any suggestions other than taking legal action ? I am at wit's end. The layouts work fine with my other throttles UT4R and UT4. UR91s on both systems work fine.
I used to be a huge supporter of Digitrax but to date, every repair I have sent over the past 4 years has failed and I cannot get any satisfaction from Digitrax. Does anyone have any suggestions other than taking legal action ? I am at wit's end. The layouts work fine with my other throttles UT4R and UT4. UR91s on both systems work fine.
Have all the repairs "over the past 4 years" been only to this DT400R? Since the DT400R has been retired now, and given ALL the problems you've had with this particular throttle to date, have you considered contacting Digitrax with your case and asking them if they would consider an even exchange of your current throttle for a new DT402R throttle? It's worth a try...
Welcome aboard.
I have lots of Digitrax stuff. In the five years I have had it, only one item, a DS-64, has required repair. It was repaired in the time frame and for the cost they quoted, and it has worked fine ever since.
I suspect there is something else happening. If you had it converted from an R to a D or vice versa, I doubt that it is even the same throttle, though it may be in the same case.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
In November 2011 my DT400R failed at an op session on Larry Reynolds PRR Middle Division. The layout was featured in MR a few issues ago. I returned the throttle for repair and upgrade. On January 26, 2012, the throttle was returned and a brief test to check if I could acquire a loco was performed. That function worked and I felt happy the throttle was supposedly repaired. I took the throttle to an op session 2 weeks later and chaos happened. When F11 was pushed, it killed track power, locked the whistle on the loco and dispatched the loco. I sent it back to Digitrax again for repair. It has been returned 3 times since with the last time to revert it back to a DT400R. Today, it returned for the 4th time and it has been reverted to a DT400R but it still has the exact same problem. It has been tested on 2 seperate systems, a signaling module I won, plus a layout under construction. The Digitrax systems are not connected in any way. I cannot get Digitrax to fix this throttle and I am at a loss. I have spent almost $60.00 in shipping costs plus almost 5 months of aggravation but the throttle is still unrepaired. I used to be a huge supporter of Digitrax but to date, every repair I have sent over the past 4 years has failed and I cannot get any satisfaction from Digitrax. Does anyone have any suggestions other than taking legal action ? I am at wit's end. The layouts work fine with my other throttles UT4R and UT4. UR91s on both systems work fine.