Plugging in the 8 pin plug backwards won't hurt the loco or decoder. Clever bit of design there. The lights won't work though.
However, Athearn likes to provide BOTH a 9 pin and 8 pin connector. The 9 pin usually has a dummy plug for DC operation. This MUST be removed to use a decoder in the 8 pin socket. It creates a dead short on the decoder if you do not remove the 9 pin dummy plug. Good idea to use a 9 pin decoder on these locos, so you CAN'T mess that part up. The 9 pin plugs are nearly impossible to plug in upside down, they are keyed. If you have to really force it - it's probably upside down.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I've used this decoder also with good results. IIRC this is the 8 pin plug in version. Are you sure you have the decoder oriented properly, not 180 degrees off. If you've tried 3 and all have the same result, alarms are going off in my head. Decoder and socket are both marked for proper orientation.
Hi D-
I've used this decoder in the past and was very pleased. Go to ST the Yahoo! SoundTraxx User's group and post the question there. The technical knowledge of the group is outstanding and will probably be able to help you find a solution.
Erik Fiske
I couldn't fix your brakes, so I made your horn louder
Did they take off, then stop, then take off again? If they do that, you probbaly have the same address selected with a non-zero speed. The 'phantom' throttle says go speed xx, the throttle in your hand has the same address and says STOP. This however does not happen with DTxxx throttles, instead the one throttle adjusts itself to the speed of the last active one. But a UTxx throttle, with a potentiometer, or a Zephyr's built-in throttle, will cause behavior like this.
I happen to like TCS decoders, much better motor control than Digitrax ones, and I have an FT A-B set, one has a Tsunami sound decoder, the other has a TCS motor decoder, and they run well together, I didn't have to adjust anything.
I also tried the same decoders in Atlas, Kato and Athearn RTR, they all did the same thing, even after reset.
It is a Super Extra Chief, I tried changing CV29 to 34 with no result. The throttle can be in the off position and the thing will just take off like its got a mind of its own. I called Soundtraxx and explained it to them and they were supposed to call me back when they had an idea but I just took the decoder out and installed a Digitrax instead. Not sure what the issue was but I gave up. Ill just look at the $60 I spent on these things as a loss and continue to purchase Digitrax.
What digitrax system? What is the loco's # ? . If using a DT40XX throttle, you some times have to continue turning the speed nob off even though it says 0. It could also be if you have mltiple throttles, the loco was not dispatched properly. I also turn off analog opperation in CV29. Joe
I tried a reset, nothing. I tried 3 different Soundtrax decoders and they all do the same thing? Is there somthing special I need to do to run a Soundtrax decoder on a Digitrax system?
Is it a MC1H102P8 decoder by any chance? If so I have 2 of these and they run as expected. I use them both on a Digitrax and NCE system.
I suggest a decoder reset.
Jack W.
I am using Digitrax and this problem started as soon as I installed the decoder. I changed CV29 to try to correct it but it didnt help any.
Is the engine running with the same speed step setting as as the DCC system?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
What else did you change?
Usually a decoder reset takes care of many issues and start over changing CV's. Record everything you change.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
What kind of DCC system are you using?
Dennis Blank Jr.
CEO,COO,CFO,CMO,Bossman,Slavedriver,Engineer,Trackforeman,Grunt. Birdsboro & Reading Railroad
I installed a Soundtraxx non-sound decoder in my HO scale Athearn Genesis SD70ACe and when I start the throttle the locomotive moves but when I try to stop it it keeps moving until it "decides" to stop which usually is an average of 2 minutes. I have CV's 3 and 4 set to 0 and CV 29 is set to 34, any other ideas as to what may be the issue??