So dose trying to run an engine on DC fry the decoder or damage a DC engine if on DCC, had no indication that it was sopposed to be DCC. Also had one sold as DC that had label on bottom saying DCC but decoder was gone.
Old decoders wouldn't work on DC and could be damaged. No idea what that one is you have - what make of loco is it?
Lots of reasons it might not run on DCC - do you even know what the address is? Do not assume it's 3 - it's a reasonable guess for a brand new sealed in the box loco with DCC, but that's about it. If pre-owned, try the cab number, but if the cab number is less than 127, it's possible if the previous owner had NCE or Lenz it's set to an address not accessible with Digitrax. First thing would be to make sure the wheels and pickups are clean and all securely attached, and then try to set the address to one you know. Poor operation on DC could be dirt or loose wires, and that would also prevent it from taking programming.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
It is another Proto 2000, got about 7 of them. It is an old Lenz as far as my resurch goes. It ran on DC, poorly, didn't have a clue there was a decoder inside. Switched out decoder for a DH165LO and works great, front headlight dosn't work but no biggie and may be a loose wire even. My pile of old decoders is growing.
Lentz is a brand that was around before standards were set. Those decoders could be that old. Hence not running. Slim but possible.
shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Lenz was the inventor of DCC. Lenz is still around and their gold & silver series decoders have great motor-control. They just aren't a major player on this side of the pond. Most of their involvement seems to be the low-quality decoders outfitted in some Bachmann locomotives.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Theses are all plug and play 8 pin. Anyway the one decoder is a Lenz and was able to reset to factory or at least it dose run now as stuck it in a Stuart VO1000. Using that engine because even though it runs well, it has a growl sound and the shell just pops off this engine. The NCE chip appears dead which I took out of another engine. Can't beleive I never tested these on old DC layout. Bext item up is I installed the decoder backwards, twice on another 0-6-0 so will try to program change it. It is a DH165LO decoder from digitrax.
Lastspikemike Fitting a decoder to a Proto light board involves cutting pcb traces at two marked points. It is not reversible simply by removing the decoder. On the contrary, the locomotive will not run without a decoder unless these two traces are rewired. Headlight failure will be: bulb failure or wiring connection failure. Proto light boards used plastic wire clips that are fairly easy to install with the captured wire not fully touching the corresponding copper tab with the hole in it.
Fitting a decoder to a Proto light board involves cutting pcb traces at two marked points. It is not reversible simply by removing the decoder. On the contrary, the locomotive will not run without a decoder unless these two traces are rewired.
Headlight failure will be: bulb failure or wiring connection failure. Proto light boards used plastic wire clips that are fairly easy to install with the captured wire not fully touching the corresponding copper tab with the hole in it.
Depends greatly on the specific P2K loco you are talking about. None of the 6 I have require cutting anything. Just plug right in, and if you use one made for them, liek the Digitrax DH165L0, you don't even have to change the light bulbs. The E units with Mars lights, 8 pin plug, no traces to cut. The older SD7/9 - those have the boards where you need to cut traces. Best to just remove the board and install a board style decoder.