I just put an TCS DP2x decoder in a Proto SW8. It will run for about a minute then stops for a few seconds and then goes again. I have tried two decoders with the same result. I am using a digitrax super chief system. It will run fine in DC . Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Hi Bill
I have the SW8 but it came with a decoder, and runs great.
Are the wheels or track dirty?
Mine has traction tires which amplifies the problem.
Are you trying to run the DCC decoder on DC setting? Some say they get hot doing that.
If you are running it on DCC when it stops, do you shut off power to it? I'm thinking it's hot and needs to cool down. If so, I would look for a cause.
The SW8 has a short wheel base, and can stall on turnouts. On my Atlas turnouts if the moveable rail gets dirty at the pivot or where it contacts the straight rail the short wheel base can't reach power.
Just some thoughts, good luck.
Lee
Do you have the locomotive acquired on more than one throttle? Make sure you dispatch it from all throttles except the one your using.
Peter
I've also got one of these. Mine came with factory sound, but much of the weight was removed to leave room for the speaker. So, the engine is light. To compensate for that, they put traction tires on one axle. It increases the pulling power, but the engine is down to 3 axles for electrical pickup.
But, this is about your engine, not mine. Does it always stall at the same place, or places, on the layout? Does it stall on turnouts? These are indications of problems with the track, and this engine happens to be the one that doesn't like it.
And finally, how clean is your track? This engine may be your "miners' canary." When it stalls in normal use, it's time to get out that CMX machine.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Stop and then start up by itself without a push is not dirty tracks or wheels, it's ALWAYS that the same address is selected on two throttles. with one set at stop, the other being the one in your hand trying to tell it to move at the speed you dialed in. One giveaway is if you select the loco and the throttle says Steal=? - if it says that, it is selected elsewhere and wasn't properly dispatched. If you only have one throttle, it's entirely possible that the same loco was selected on the left knob and right knob of the DT402. Select the loco on one side, then make sure you have the speed set to 0. Press Loco, then dispatch. Select the same loco on the other knob, and repeat this. It should now be completely removed and work normally. Remember to stop and dispatch locos when done with them to prevent this from happening. If you have enough different locos, you coudl also end up woth a Slot=Max indication, meaning you've left too many locos selected in the system. In the back of the manual there is a list of OpSw settings that shows you how to completely purge the command station memory to clear up problems like this.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Billm10454 I just put an TCS DP2x decoder in a Proto SW8. It will run for about a minute then stops for a few seconds and then goes again. I have tried two decoders with the same result. I am using a digitrax super chief system. It will run fine in DC . Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Just curious, Have you solved your problem yet?
Thanks for all the suggestions. I did what rrinker said and it now runs. But it will still stall over turnouts sometimes, but that is most likeely because of the traction tires. I like it because it came with dcc and sound. If I can find some wheels to fit I will replace the traction tires and try to add more weight. The most likely place for the weight is in the cab so I will have to remove the figures in the cab. Thanks again for the help
Can you power the frogs of the turnouts where it's stalling? I'm not sure you could add enough weight to offset the loss of traction by removing the tires. Besides that, powering frogs will help other small-engine performance as well.
The sw8 weighs 6 3/8 oz. An S1 weighs 8 5/8 oz. So I would have to add about 2 1/4 oz to it. The cab has some room if I take out the crew. I did replace the wheels with the traction tire and now it hardly stalls. How would I power the frogs. I am using atlas mark 2 turnouts. The turnouts are already in place and ballasted.
I added 2 1/4 ounces to the cab and it will now pull 4 commuter rails cars from walthers. These cars do not roll well so I am satisfied with the results.
Billm10454 I added 2 1/4 ounces to the cab and it will now pull 4 commuter rails cars from walthers. These cars do not roll well so I am satisfied with the results.
Now, do you have a Truck Tuner from Micromark? That should help lower the rolling friction of those commuter rail cars.
Commuter rail cars have inboard bearings. They don't have trucks where you can use that tool you mentioned.