I have a BLI N&W J Class 4-8-4 with Paragon sound/DCC. I has been running great until yesterday, when I was showing it off. It runs/sounds fine and then randomly stops, with the throttle (DT402D) resetting to speed step '0'. I have to advance the throttle to make it run again, and then it stops after about 10 seconds. I recall having another loco do this a couple of years ago but don't remember what the issue was. I thought it had to do with the throttle being maxxed out with addresses, but my other engines don't do this. Any suggestions.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Bob,
You may have another throttle assigned to that engine number. Do a 'Dispatch'(eng #/dispatch) to that engine or find the other throttle. Normally if another throttle is assigned to the same engine, you will get a 'steal' request, but I have seen this happen at the club.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I had a similar problem last year and it turned out the problem was indirectly related to my Lenz operating system. Most of my BLI locos started running the same way. Start, stop, start again. About the same time, I discovered I was having trouble assigning new addresses to locos. I decided to address that problem first. I called Lenz's USA customer service and was referred to a consultant of theres. He explained to me that Lenz has a register of addresses that can be assigned. It stores addresses that have been used as well as any consisting of locos. When that register fills up, problems begin. He then explained to me a back door fix that isn't in any of the manuals but would clear the register, allowing assigning of new loco addresses. It worked perfectly. I can't remember if I had to readdress the locos or not, but the problem went away.
To my surprise, this instantly cleared up the start-stop problems with my BLI locos. I have no idea why this was only causing problems with the BLIs and why the above fix took care of it. I'm just guessing but it might be that the overloaded register was was eating up memory as well, interferring with communication with the loco causing it to temporarily stall. Whatever, the problem has gone away and never comeback.
I don't know whether you are using a Lenz system or not, but you might have the same or similar problem. I think he gave me the fix procedure over the phone rather than via email. If you have a Lenz system and think this might be your problem, your best bet would be to call their customer service department. I don't remember if I kept the procedure for clearing the loco register or not. I could try to find it if you need further help.
You have the loco selected on more than one throttle. The speed droipping to 0 in the throttle display is the clue. Not a loco problem. Which system do you have? I'm guessing Zephyr or Zephyr Xtra - or you also have a UT4 throttle. You need to properly dispatch the loco when done using it. On the Zephyr, select the loco, if it says Steal? say yes. Make sure the throttle is at stop and the brake handle is in brake. Now press the Loco button, then Exit. Now go select the loco on your DT402, it should NOT say Steal? and the loco should now operate normally.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker You have the loco selected on more than one throttle. The speed droipping to 0 in the throttle display is the clue. Not a loco problem. Which system do you have? I'm guessing Zephyr or Zephyr Xtra - or you also have a UT4 throttle. You need to properly dispatch the loco when done using it. On the Zephyr, select the loco, if it says Steal? say yes. Make sure the throttle is at stop and the brake handle is in brake. Now press the Loco button, then Exit. Now go select the loco on your DT402, it should NOT say Steal? and the loco should now operate normally. --Randy