Troubleshooting an unrecognized decoder.
I installed a Economi ECO-PNP decoder and LokSound speaker in a basic Walthers DC locomotive. The project was a success and all decoder functions worked as expected with my NCE PowerCab.
My soldering job on the initial installation was marginal and I went back to re-solder a couple poor connections. At first the engine would take off as soon as it was set on the tracks and I had no ability to control it with the PowerCab. Then it became totally unresponsive to the PowerCab.
Symptoms:
1) When i set the locomotive on the tracks, the blue LED on the decoder is on
2) The speaker plays the locomotive startup sequence and continues with the sound effects of an idling locomotive.
3) The PowerCab does not appear to recognize the decoder anymore as all CV's=255.
Looking for troubleshooting ideas - thanks in advance for your thoughts!
I have the Power Cab and have done the somewhat older Tsunami decoders but never had those symptoms. If a flaky decoder I just did a reset. CV8, enter 8 and cycle track power. After about six seconds the headlight would flash I think sixteen times for a successful decoder reset. All I can think of right now.
One time I did have a decoder with a defective motor driver that Soundtraxx repaired for me.
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.
to the forum
Does this decoder also have a red led and if so does it flash?
Look at the soldering you re-did. Are there any stray strands of wire touching something they shouldn't.
Internet wisdom says to turn off DC function on a DCC loco if it does weird things like running away when it is powered on. That does not explain your 255 error, though. Either your motor connections are suspect, the motor driver died, or it needs a reset.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddy - thanks for replying to my post. My decoder does not have a red light. What would that be for?
The wiring is now solid and the soldering work is good (after a little more practice).
The decoder won't accept my attempt to reset any cv's - in particular setting CV 8 to value of 8.
My best guess (and fear) is that I damaged something on the chip when soldering, although there is no visible evidence of damage (no burn marks, etc)
Thanks for your thoughts, Rich. The decoder isn't allowing me to change any CV's.
For what it's worth, I know the Power Cab is working properly because I have another DCC locomotive that works great.
Even while attempting to use a Program Track and the Standard Decoder Setup on the Power Cab the decoder manufacturer reads back as 255, which is an error and implies that the PowerCab cannot read the decoder at all, I think.
In your first post, you said that when you set the loco on the rails it would take off and you had no control. That sounds like you had a motor to rail short. Most times that will destroy the decoder. When you see the 255 at any CV also tells me the decoder is bad. If you still have your receipt from when you got it, fill out the repair for mom the SoundTraxx web site and return the decoder. They will replace if it is under 90 day old.