I've used TCS decoders for the most part. Now I've installed a Digitrax DN163A4 in an Atlas 2008 GP-15 mechanism and am having difficulties. There is continuity from all wheels to the frame. there is continuity from the frame to all 4 contact points on the decoder. When the loco is set on the track and power switched on the most I get is a very short flash from the head and rear lights. This flash is only produced if the loco is rocked slightly. There is no response if loco #003 is chosen (NCE Pro Cab) and I attempt to run. Helpful suggestions appreciated. By all means PM me if you prefer. Thanks.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Does the Pro Cab detect a short?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Der, I've installed a few Digitrax decoders for my N scale layout with no problems. I did have a problem with no power to the board in a Kato PA. There just wasn't enough pressure on the contact pads. What happens if you gently press yor finger to the board while applying power? I put a piece of kapton tape over the biard to the frame sides and it solved the problem. There was still enough space for the shell.
Nice to see you again John, do drop by the Diner.
CN Charlie
Lee
Lee 1234I think you have a short. The left rail and the right rail cannot be tied together. If they are both tied to the frame the short is there. Also the two output wires from the decoder to the motor cannot be tied together or to either of the rails (decoder input wires).
Most modern N-scale locomotives have a "split" frame, with one half of the frame tied to one rail and the other half tied to the other rail.
The flash is normal when the loco first receives power. If it flashes when sitting on the track and you turn on track power without touching the loco, then you know the decoder is receiving power. If it does not flash when you turn on track power but does when you rock it, then it is not making good contact until you rock it.
BigDaddy Does the Pro Cab detect a short? Thanks Henry, but no, everything looks normal.
CNCharlieWhat happens if you gently press yor finger to the board while applying power?
There is no continuity between the frame halves; nor between the frame and the tabs from the motor to the decoder. (I've brought the tabs up through the slots in the decoder made for them so as to be able to check this.) Pressure on the decoder at either end does not produce a flash. I beefed up the solder on the contact pads on the decoder so it's good and tight. There is excellent continuity between the frame halves and the decoder.
On the decoder itself there is continuity between the ground pad and the end of the surface mount (resistor?) component next to it, also between ground and the similar end of the headlight LED. I mention the ground pad because I've soldered on the ground ends of two micro-mini LEDs for ditch lights. ( the other leads to those LEDs are on the Function 2 and Function 3 pads. This photo shows the headlight end of the decoder.
I'd like to get this puppy roaming the tracks, thanks for your help.ps://imgur.com/Qr3rhhhhttps://imgur.com/Qr3rhhh
der5997This photo shows the headlight end of the decoder. DN163A4 front
I've tried to sharpen the focus, maybe this is more clear:
The +common is a + voltage point and not a ground.
Marc
UpNorth The +common is a + voltage point and not a ground. Marc thanks, I had no idea. So where on the Digitrax DN163A4 does one attach the non-function controlled leads from the micro-mini LEDs for ditch lights?
Marc thanks, I had no idea. So where on the Digitrax DN163A4 does one attach the non-function controlled leads from the micro-mini LEDs for ditch lights?
Are you trying to select address 03 or address 003? 03 is the default two digit address that the decoder should respond to. 003 is a long address and until CV29 is changed the decoder will not respond. Try 03 and see if you have control of the lights. If you do and the motor will still not respond the trouble is with the motor contacts making reliable contact with the decoder.
Martin Myers
mfm37Try 03 and see if you have control of the lights
Thank you Martin, that was the charm. My NCE Pro Cab Hand Held was showing *003, which is why I chose that. I tried 03 with no response, but just plain 3 (which continued to show *003 on the Hand Held) gave me control of the lights and the motor. So now to program everything and see if I have Function Control of the ditch lights. The ditch lights were constantly on with the TCS A4 I had in there before - and the decoder blew when I tried to program them. They are not lit on this DN163A4, so I'm hopeful I can program them to Functions 2 and 3.