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Broadway Limited ATSF Northern with DCC and Sound- Short circuit issue

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  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Australia
  • 14 posts
Broadway Limited ATSF Northern with DCC and Sound- Short circuit issue
Posted by Philip on Monday, March 13, 2023 8:01 PM

I have had a BLI Northern for some years. The orginal QSI decoder died long ago and it was replaced with a Soundtraxx Tsunami decoder and has been running well. Some weeks ago it just stopped. I have identifed that their is a short ciurcuit across the loco frame. The tender appears to be ok but as soon as the loco is placed on the track the command station registers a short circuit.   I have inspected each driver set closely and can find no evidence of out of place components but there is a circuit across the drivers and can see no reason for the two sides of the frame to be connected electrically. Anyone have any suggestions on the possible cause?

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 655 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Monday, March 13, 2023 8:30 PM

I have one that is a Paragon 3 so I don't know if this will help but it is worth investigating.  

When it was new it made it halfway around my mainline before it identified a track issue that I never noticed before and it derailed.  After that it would only run a few feet before shorting.  As I fiddled with it that distance decreased until it shorted out immediately.  

It went back to BLI where they replaced the decoder and sent it back to me.  I put it on the track and it again shorted out immediately.  

Back again to BLI and this time they paid more attention to it.  The report I received was that the drivers were shorting against the frame.  They put some (insulated?) spacers in and sent it back to me.  I haven't had the problem since.  

I suspect that mine "pinched " the drivers on the bad track.  You may want to check that clearance on yours. 

Rick

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 693 posts
Posted by woodone on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 12:21 PM

You need to disconnect the decoder before you test for a short on the frame- The decoder will cause a short indication. Disconnect the decoder and recheck.

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