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Do I need a new Decoder?

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9 replies
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  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 12:31 PM

Do you have a meter?

If so, measure the voltage at the motor leads as you increase the throttle.  This should go from zero to about 12-14 volts DC.  If you see that, the decoder is doing its job.

If you don't have a meter, get one.  They're pretty cheap now at places like Harbor Freight.  Once you've got one, you'll wonder how you ever did without it.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 5:50 PM

 Reomve the decoder, get a 9V battery and get a battery snap with wires at Radio Shack (or cut one out of some broken electronic device that uses 9V batteries), and touch the wires to the motor leads. WITH THE DECODER REMOVED. You WILL fry the decoder if you try this with the decoder installed. A 9V battery should have plenty of power to runt he motor, espcially with the loco up on blocks. If the motor doesn't turn - it's probably not the decoder, but somethign in the mechanis that is jammed. You cna try turnign the gear ont he motor by hand and feel if it's jammed or if it turns freely. If you can freely turn the gears but it won;t run on a 9V battery, the motor is probably shot.

                   --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 571 posts
Posted by hwolf on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 5:22 PM

I should be at the factory setting when I did the CV 8.  It did go back to Address #3

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 571 posts
Posted by hwolf on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 5:20 PM

Tryed all speed settings. 

Using Prodogy Advance

All other engines are responding

I don't have DC but maybe I can take it over to the LHS

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 5:05 PM

Try removing the decoder and reinstalling the DC dummy plug and see if it works OK on DC. If so, it's probably the decoder.

Stix
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • 409 posts
Posted by ba&prr on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 4:54 PM

 1 MAke sure analog running is OFF

2  Is the decder set for 28 speed steps and you're trying to use 128 speed steps?

3  What system are you using?

 Joe

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 4:43 PM

What you need is a decoder tester in order to test the various functions.

Meanwhile, try a reset to factory defaults.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 571 posts
Posted by hwolf on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 4:34 PM

There is No binding of the drives.

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 4:01 PM

 If it moves some, first thing I would check is there is no binding anywhere in the drive. Decoder I have wasted has been no movement when the drive section failed.

 Try it on DC as well.

 Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 571 posts
Do I need a new Decoder?
Posted by hwolf on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 12:07 PM

One of my Bachmann Climax would not run.

1. Lights worked.

2. I could see a slight movement ( Forward and Reverse)

Here is what I have done so far.

1. Tryed to Reprogram using the same address

2. Entered CV8. Set to8  It went to Address #3

Everything stayed the same as above.

Is my Decoder shot?

While I have your attention. If the decodere has to be replaced is there room in the Bachmann Climax HO to install sound?

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