I did not realize there was a 24hr wait time for newbys so I was not sure my post went through and hence posted the following which is more descriptive:
I'm running a Kato F3A and F3B each with a DN142 decoder. The B unit runs fine but the A unit will shut the Zephyr DCS50 down when reversed. All the MRC reversing modules make loud protest noises (I have three reversing loops/wyes). To reset, I have to physically remove the loco from the tracks and recycle the track power. I get the same result on all loops. All my other locos work fine so I do not think there are any problems with the reversing modulesor track. Is this the sign of a failing decoder?
I'd inspect the locoo carefully. Since it only shorts when you start giving it throttle, there may be something sucked up by the motor magnet shorting the commutator, or the motor may be jammed.
If the decoder or the track pickup side was broken in some way, it would short as soon as the loco was put on the rails. The fact that is has trouble on the program track also points to the motor output or the motor, as this is how the decoder signals back when being programmed.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
to the forum. Your 1st 10 posts are moderated and if you aren't selling us brides from "over there" you will be free and clear.
First thing I would check is to see if your other locos still run. If there are no other locos, check your track for metal like KD coupler height guages, hammers, screwdrivers etc.
Second there are things you can fix, like loose wires. Pull the shell and inspect all the wiring to the decoder. If something is loose, it should be obvious.
I'd like to see the guru's weigh in on whether these are symptoms of a failed decoder. It's not the symptoms we usually hear about.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I have an N Kato EMD F3A with an older wired-in DN142 decoder and when I try to give it throttle it causes the Zephyr display to start flashing like it has a short. This is a new behavor as it was running fine a couple of days ago. It responds with some difficulty to the program track but I was able to set CV8 to 8 for factory reset. I can also R/W other CVs. As soon as I try to run it on the main, it fails as described above. The only way I can stop the Zephyr display from flashing is to cut the power. My Kato EMD F3B with a DN142 runs fine. I inspected the decoder wires and saw no obvious shorts. Do I have a failing decoder? Any help will be appreciated as I am just really getting back into DCC and this has me stumped.