I was running my Bachmann two truck climax when it just slowed up and stopped. There is now no response to the controls foward or backward.
It is running with DCC. I tryed reprogramming the decoder with no results. I do not have a spare so I would have to transfer a decoder from another engine if you guys suggest that I have an old wheel cleaner that attaches to the track. When I hooked it up I could hear a buzz but the wheel did not turn.
Please give me a Step 1, 2, 3 for troubleshooting this. Keep it simple
I have a VOM which I have never used. Get the drift.
Thanks in advance for you help
It sounds to me more like a mechanical problem from lack of proper lubrication than anything to do with the decoder or track power, especially when you say it slowly stopped and won't move again.
There should have been lubrication instructions with the model. If not, you can download the required documentation from Bachmann's web site.
Not Lube. Engine was running smoothly with no noise until it stopped.
With nothing on the track, measure the voltage on the track with the meter in the AC option. Might be between 12 to 19 VAC. Actual voltage not really important right now. Just make a comparison between no load and a load on the DCC controller. Put the loco on the track. What is the voltage?
We are assuming no shorts in the layout wiring and good connections. Put the meter clips right next to the loco.
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.
At the same time this one stopped , 3 other Engines were running around fine.
hwolf At the same time this one stopped , 3 other Engines were running around fine.
Ok, you should have mentioned that in the beginning.
You said you tried to reprogram the decoder and no results. You did not say what brand controller or if on the main or program track. Try to include as much info as possible.
Your DCC controller should have shown something on the display when you try to reprogram.
I am running a Prodigy Advance. It was programmed on the main.
I selected the loco and proceeded to go through the steps. After each entry it said SENT.
Question-If it were the motor wouldn't I get some sort of motor noise or poor running condition?
can you turn the lights on and off when you have the address selected? If so, you've at least elmininated any issue woth accessing the correct address.
Still could be motor, decoder motor output, or the drivetrain.
If no light control, what brand decoder is it? A reset would be the first thing to try, then see if it runs on address 3.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
No idea about your system as I use the NCE system. I use the Program Track option. The decoder reads back to me. When I program the decoder, the loco lurches forward a couple times when the program is accepted. Best I can do.
Since no one else has asked it, what do you see when you look at the motor with the shell off?
At least to me it is the first thing to do after a reprogramming did not work. Did you do a factory reset before trying to reprogram it?
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
What brand of decoder is it?
Can you read back the address of the locomotive on the program track? Is it what you expect it to be?
Have you tried running both forward and reverse?
Have you inspected the gears and drive train? If the engine picked up something, like a piece of ballast or a strand of hair, it could be interfering with running.
Can you physically inspect the decoder? I particular, look for a small pinhead-sized black or brown spot, like a pimple. That would indicate something burned out on the decoder.
I would try a reset of the decoder. After that, read the address. It should be 3. Then, reset the address to what you want and try to run the engine.
The "lurching" you described is a good sign. It should do that, and it indicates that the motor and decoder are probably OK.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
First thing I would do with you not having a extra decoder (could you exchange 1 from a running engine?) I pull the shell and see if you can get the drive train to rotate using your finger. If it does, can you hot wire the motor and test it with DC?
If drive train moves with out binds, and motor runs I would say something went goofy with the decoder. Only thing I dislike about DCC, is it the engine or the decoder?
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Here is what I found so far in answer to you questions.
1. It is a Bachmann Decoder But in by them after repair.
2.Have not put it on a program track but I don't think the MRC has a readback
3.Will not run in either direction but the lights will work in both directions with the proper engine call up.
4.Gears and drive train appear to be OK
5. Decoder has No Burn marks
6. How do you reset the decoder?
7. The lurching was not my post. My engine just sits there.
It sounds to me like a wire became disconnected. Take a close look to be sure that all of the wires are tightly connected in place.
Alton Junction
hwolf Here is what I found so far in answer to you questions. 1. It is a Bachmann Decoder put in by them after repair. 2.Have not put it on a program track but I don't think the MRC has a readback 6. How do you reset the decoder?
1. It is a Bachmann Decoder put in by them after repair.
CV8, enter 8 from what I have seen at the Bachmann site.
The EZ Command manual does not say anything about reset. I just looked. The non sound on board Bachmann decoders are called EZ Command decoders.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/ez_content/1_Amp_Decoder_Instr.pdf
Since you say, "I don't think" Read the manual that came with your MRC system so you "know".
You can also download and print the DCC Shortcuts document below. It might help.
http://00200530.pdl.pscdn.net/002/00530/MRH04/DCC%20Shortcuts%20Card.pdf
ALso locate the drive shaft or flywheel and turn it by hand to see if things are binding up. There's plenty of moving parts and one is all it takes to lock you up.
Springfield PA
Not a wire. All solder connections are well done.
Loco not moving. Hmmm My first loco was a Bachmann SW8 and I accidentally put it in sleep mode by double clicking button (6?). I use a NCE Power Cab so this may not apply. To get out of sleep mode I pushed a button once, but this happened 4 years ago and some one else will have give you the correct info.Good luck.
Lee
hwolf I was running my Bachmann two truck climax when it just slowed up and stopped. There is now no response to the controls foward or backward.
Just out of curiosity, were you actively controlling the movement of the loco with your throttle when it stopped? Or, were you just watching your trains run around the layout when the loco is question suddenly stopped?
As far as I can remember it was under trottle. I was about to put on my track cleaning car and was moving this train off the main line.
hwolf As far as I can remember it was under trottle. I was about to put on my track cleaning car and was moving this train off the main line.
I don't have an answer for you about what went wrong, but it is interesting to note that the loco was not free running but under the control of the throttle when it suddenly stopped. Makes me think that you may have inadvertently hit a button on the throttle that caused the loco to stop.
Anyone? What about yankee flyer's suggestion about sleep mode?
I just had the time to back out to the ralroad. I set up a program track and set it to read back on the prog track. I was able to get all of the settings that I had programed in when I called up that Loco.
It appears to me that if I clear the Decoder it will not change a thing.
Someone mentioned about hitting one of the buttons on the trottle and putting the engine to sleep. Does anyone know if the MRC Prodogy Advance has that button?
hwolf I just had the time to back out to the ralroad. I set up a program track and set it to read back on the prog track. I was able to get all of the settings that I had programed in when I called up that Loco. It appears to me that if I clear the Decoder it will not change a thing. Someone mentioned about hitting one of the buttons on the trottle and putting the engine to sleep. Does anyone know if the MRC Prodogy Advance has that button?
If I read your latest post correctly, you were able to reprogram the decoder which indicates that it is not fried. Yet, the loco still doesn't run. Is that correct?
Yes, it's just the function button. Sometimes a function is used to shut down certain sound systems. If that's your case then hitting the number 6 a few times would usually wake it up.
OK, Guys Heads up. And I quote from the Bible (QSI Manuel).
"You may have shut your engine down in DCC using the F9 key, which remains in effect in analog or it has been shut down using the Magnetic wand in analog. Go back to DCC operation and start your engine using the F6 key".I believe double clicking the F9 key puts it in sleep mode. If you don't have the QSI decoder that may not work. My F7 and SW8 Bachmann, both have the QSI decoder.Or, I may be completely wrong about the problem.
Good luck.
Might help if we know what decoder Bachmann installed in the engine when the OP sent it in for repairs. Is it a DCC light and direction only, or a sound decoder?
The Decoder is Light & Direction only. No sound. Tomorrow I will try F6. I will keep you posted.
I went to the READ Mode and was able to see my setting. I also reprogrammed it. Nothing
If you did the CV8=8 factory reset it will clear all input that you have done, and reset the decoder to the original factory settings. If it does not then, face it, the decoder has lost the magic smoke. If under warranty send it back if not buy a different brand. of course I recommend Digitrax If they make one for your engine.
I thought the bachmann decoders used a cv other than 8 for reset.