Roundhouse Critter DCC

[Anonymous]

I tried to install two different DCC into this beast with no luck. Both were from digitrax and both would not make the lights work, I have never had this trouble before and my critter just came in themail (HURRAY) neatest darnthing yet! anyone help me out please?

[fmilhaupt]

It's a known problem with the MDC "Critter"- MDC miswired the DCC socket.

If you simply plug a decoder into the socket MDC provides, everything works fine until you turn on the lights, then it blows out the function outputs on the decoder. 'happened to me, and a lot of other people.

Your best bet is to remove the DCC socket and diodes that MDC provides and wire (another, undamaged) decoder in directly. Use the other decoders, that now have blown-out lighting outputs, in B units or other unlighted locomotives.

[rrinker]

Here's the link to the TCS page on fixing it:

http://www.tcsdcc.com/decoderpics/backwards_critter_diodes_bulleti.htm

Definitely better off just removing the board. But don't forget resistors for the LEDs! The internal board has resistors as well as the diodes. Those little black specks that say 102 on them are the resistors.

--Randy

[markpierce]

Shouldn't Roundhouse provide replacement parts without cost to purchasers of the locomotive? Anybody know the current address of Roundhouse's website?
Mark

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Anybody know the current address of Roundhouse's website?

Mark:

www.athearn.com