I've got my 5 x 10 HO layout under construction, laying track. I've got a NCE PH Powerpro 5A and 2 reverse loops, splitting into 3 sections (2 with OG-ARs, the mainline with an OG-CB).
I've got some track installed and the source wiring system set up, without any buss wires or feeders yet. One of the kids stopped by this weekend and I wanted to see if my only loco (Athearn Genesis DCC w/sound GP9) would run for a little demo, so I used a set of jumper wires from the mainline OG-CB to the installed mainline track. It ran ok back & forth, then I ran it into a half open turnout (I haven't installed the Torti yet) and I believe the CB functioned due to a short, so I set the loco trucks back on the track again and it ran fast (maybe full speed?) and I had to ask a visitor to "catch" it. I think I may then have shut down the system so it could restart and hopefully run normally, which it did.
This inspires a couple of questions as I'm experimenting while laying track:
a) why would an engine "run away" or run much faster than it's prior set speed? I'm assuming I didn't panic and turn the thumbwheel way up trying to slow it down.
b) more importantly, what do I need to be careful about so I do not ruin a loco decoder or motor, hurt the NCE system or the 3 subdistrict circuit boards, or hurt the trackage (melt ties, etc)
I have a suspicion that better understanding the bad things to avoid early on might prevent a frustrating or expensive mistake.
Thanks as always.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
a) Most decoders will allow you to run the locomotive on a DC layout. Sometimes when you first turn on the layout, a locomotive will just take off. This is because the decoder has trouble deciding if the track power is DC or AC (DCC) when power is coming up. This function can be turned off in the decoder, and should be in my opinion, as long as you are only going to run the loco on DCC.
b) The Power Pro has it's own internal short protection. You are dividing your layout into three sub power districts. (The main, and two reverse loops, all with circuit breakers.) So layout shorts destroying anything is going to be really rare if not impossible.
As for destroying a locomotive, that is also rare. I have heard of a plastic truck melting because the wheels are causing a short and the circuit breakers not tripping, but that is usually caused by poor or small bus wiring.
It is possible to destroy a decoder, but usually only if you install it yourself in an older locomotive and don't isolate the motor from the frame. If you get all your locos with decoders already installed, you won't have that problem. Decoders do not usually go bad in normal use or when come off the track and short the layout.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Could you have put your throttle in yard mode? Yard mode turns the thumb wheel into a center stop and if you keep turning it it goes faster in the direction you are thumbing the wheel.Look up yard mode in the PH pro. manual.
Doing a quarter test after you think the wiring is done everywhere on your railroad will tell you if you have adequate feeders and your breakers are tripping. If the breakers do not trip instantly then you need either more feeders or larger buss lines. Since you are using 3 amp OG breakers the PH pro booster should never shut down.
Sometimes a short will scramble a decoder but rarely will it be destroyed. A reset and reprogramming will put it back into operation. You may want to disable DC operation in CV29. This will almost eliminate runaways.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!