A pop and flash can't be good for the decoder. I would send the whole loco back to the manufacturer. If you muck something else up they won't honor the warranty.
Someone posted a track question with a picture and an astute forum member noted that he had a G scale transformer ready to hook up to his HO scale track. That could also cause poping and flashing.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
From the Loksound website:
"All function outputs and the motor connection are protected against overload and short-circuit."
I suppose there could be an over-voltage problem. I do wonder how that could occur.
The wiring diagram is on pages 11 and 12 of the instruction manual that is the seventh entry down:
http://www.esu.eu/en/downloads/instruction-manuals/digital-decoders/
There's a Loksound Yahoo group you can also join.
Ed
What voltage was on the rails when you tested? Did it ever work OK before the incident?
Sounds like the decoder was seriously damaged, so I hope it's under warranty. Rivarossi US is located in Washington state, and can help if it's a warranty issue.
Was the loco new?
I received a new Rivarossi Big Boy 4014 with the installed Loksound. I was testing it on DC today and there was a pop and small flash where the circuit board and decoder are located. After that nothing. After removing the boiler, I could apply power to the motor and it works. Is there a wiring diagram available or are there any suggestions about a solution?
Thanks. Darren Anderson