I just installed a Digitrax decoder into a Bachmann 44 tonner, however I realized that there was a bit of smoke from what I believe came from the locomotive. The decoder worked, it responded to address 03, and went in both directions and the lights were working. However it ran really, really slow.
So I decided to reinstall the decoder, but now when I connect the black and red wires I get a short. So I uninstalled the decoder once more, then I connected the black and red wires straight to the track rails and I still get a short circuit. Therefore it makes me think that the short is being caused by the decoder, not the locomotive. Am I correct in my thinking?
Thank you.
Sounds right to me. You smoked it in your first installation and something internally went bad. Now it is permanentl shorted internally.
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's
Thanks for the input.
I want confirm my idea, so if I grab the black and red wires only from a decoder and have each wire touch a powered track rail, without them touching each other at all, there should NOT be any short circuits.
Is this theory correct?
Normally red and black should not short the system.
Below is the PC board in a DCC ready 44 ton. It was in mine. Remove two clips and solder the decoder wires. Where there any shorts between terminals?
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/images/ho_parts/622XX-80002.jpg
I use the program track in case of a wiring error. It helped me one time when I switched the orange and red wires.
By the way, when you get it figured out, remove the two yellow blob capacitors. They are not needed.
That is a single motor 44 ton. I have two of them.
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.