Hi, new to the forums and trying to learn my way through DCC. I have a N scale Fox Valley ES44AC with a Loksound Select Direct/Micro sound card. After isolating the engine contacts from the frame, I installed the 6-pin connector and soldered the speakers. I also bought a Lokcontroller so I can program and update files/software/firmware.
After following the instructions for installing the programmer, updating the software, downloading updated firmware, and gathering up a GEVO sound file, I plugged it all together with hopeful anticipation of having my first operational DCC engine!! Well, that's not happened so far.
I have all the sounds that I should. The problem is that the engine won't move. When I open the throttle, the sounds wind up as if the engine were moving but the motor doesn't budge. I've been debugging this for a week now and just can't seem to find the problem. The engine works fine in DC mode. I've disabled DC in the programmer, changed cards, even changed engines (I have two GEVOs) but no joy. I've also added a transformer instead of using the power pack built into the programmer but that didn't work either. I also shortened my test track as well. Nothing, nada.
Can anyone offer up some suggestions? I have a local source for DCC installations (Streamlined Backshop Services) and Bryan has been great so far but he works during the week and it will be the weekend before we can hook up. I was hoping to fix this on my own. Thanks.
Randy
Southern and Indiana Railroad
Did you try a decoder reset and cycle the track power after the reset?
Usually the headlight will blink a number of times after a successful reset.
Happened to me some years ago. I did the reset and finally put the decoder in my home made decoder tester with a used can motor. The motor driver had died.
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.
Wait, how are you operating the loco on DCC? What DCC system are you using?
You SHOULD be able to test run a loco, but there is a current limit of 400ma (the yellow light on the Lokprogramemr will flash if overloaded) which SHOULD (see I keep using that word) be plenty for an N scale loco.
SInce you updated the firmware to the latest version - check your setting of F9 for the full throttle feature - it's acting like this is engaged, which woudl result in the behavior you have described, which allows the throttle position to adjust the prime mover sound without the loco speed changing. You may have hit it when you hit F8 to start up the decoder.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Not sure exactly what a decoder reset is. I've updated the firmware and loaded new sound files. Is there something else?
When I plug in the DC card and move the loco over to my other test track, it runs just fine. I thought I might have burnt the first sound card for some reason so I plugged in a new one with the same result. I've also plugged a new card into my other engine with the same result although I don't have speakers installed yet so I can't confirm sound, but it didn't move either.
I managed to fix my problem. I basically started over and downloaded new files and firmware, loaded them to the decoder and this seemed to work.
Thank you for the suggestions.