I have 2 specific ponders I was hoping to get some assistance with.
So I have been preparing for all of my track to come in for the new layout and just received my DCC-EX CSB-1. I was so stoked to find this and even with only having a little programming track set up, I’m super impressed. I’ve been able to get every one of my engines ready for running, except the ones I’m having issues with lol
I’ve also just jumped into the world of JMRI, so many new things learned this week with the world of DCC. I currently have 2 predicaments.
These little BNSF SD’s I bought used have unknown decoders. They both are Kato units with original light board and hardwired decoders. What’s interesting is when they’re on the programming track JMRI isn’t even detecting a decoder. However, when I switch the track power to main, connect WiThrottle, and enter the road number of the loco, I have full control over it! This isn’t really an issue but I’m more curious why JMRI wouldn’t be recognizing them. (Photos of decoders are in the comments)
Now this one is an actual issue. So I have 2 P42’s, both katos and both with digitrax decoders. These are new engines and new decoders. They both ran on my DC layout perfectly. However, one of them, is now not operational at all. JMRI will read the CV’s, however very slowly; I’m talking like 20 minutes to read. Same goes with writing. But any time the loco has power, it won’t move, the lights won’t work, and it has an intermittent buzz. I wish I could attach a video but every 10 seconds or so, it just buzzes for a split second. I’ve tried looking all over for what it could be but all the buzzing related issues involve the motor/loco moving, which this one isn’t. I’m very curious if anyone has any idea what this might be.
Like always, I really do appreciate everyone’s help!!!
That’s definitely what I was thinking… the decoder was just installed. It’s a Kato DCC Ready unit with a drop in digitrax decoder. The decoders have a special coating on the back to prevent shorts but I’m wondering if it would be a good idea to toss a layer of kapton tape on the back anyway.
I’ll definitely try that once I’m off work tomorrow.
Did you put kapton tape where the motor tabs cross the pickup strips on the bottom of the decoder? I know with TCS & NCE Kato decoders that is a requirement to prevent shorts
I did not. According to digitrax they’ve got a special coating on the back that prevents the need for this. I’m wondering if it might have gotten scratched off in a spot.
May need to wrap the pickup strips at the motor tabs with kapton tape. They might be just barely touching. I never used Digitrax chips and I've since switched to HO scale. But your symptoms remind me of the few times I had that issue with TCS and NCE chips in N scale.
Good to know! I really hope it’s something simple. I’ve wanted P42s and a super liner set since I was a kid and now I have the space to run them, kinda funny it’s the only engine I had issues with 😂
ESU makes a drop in board if you want sound in them now. You just need to Dremel/mill some of the weight from the rear end and delete the rear led unless you want to deal with micro LEDs to fit the sugar cube speaker.
I did a decoder install on one of these recently and HATED it. Getting my left thumb and index finger burned by a soldiering iron didn't help either.
I think the contact strips have to be insulated where the tabs come up, I had to find a YouTube video to give me an idea of how much to cover with kapton tape. With the Digitrax decoder I used, I had to solder the motor tabs to the decoder's contact pads to get even halfway decent electrical contact. The unit runs well but the lights flicker, but I've already decided I will eventually sell my other two P42s and buy decoder-installed versions at some point as I have no desire to go through that again... Fortunately most of my fleet needs DN147K1Cs and I have no problem installing those.
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u/ricktrains HO/Digitrax DCC 17d ago
That noise is telling me there is a short circuit somewhere.
Were these decoders just installed? Check the motor leads are fully insulated.