issues with N Scale Atlas VO and NCE decoder

bremner Aug 29, 2021

  1. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    OK, I know rule #1, clean track, I did that.

    so, I just got a new NCE NAVO decoder for my Atlas VO-1000. I carefully took the unit apart, installed the decoder as instructed, placed it on the tracks, lights flash, nothing else. I flipped my toggle switch back to straight DC, put the stock board back in, purrs like a kitten, switch it back to the DCC decoder, power up the Power Cab, lights flicker, nothing else...I only have one other DCC loco, and it runs fine.

    Went back to program and it says that it can't read the CV...

    Any ideas?
     
    Mark Ricci likes this.
  2. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    check to make sure the motor contacts are making good connection to the decoder. They line up perfectly with the stock DC boards, but I've seen lots of issues with them making good contact with decoders.
     
    bremner and Mark Ricci like this.
  3. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    Especially in N scale (and smaller), the decoder pulses the motor to create the current load response to the CS when the decoder is read.

    So if the motor is not connected to the decoder properly, then you will likely get read errors along with no motion. The lights flashing during a read indicates the decoder is getting the commands from the CS, since the decoder also flashes the lights during the response, but the lights (leds) don't draw enough current to signal back to the CS.
     
    bremner likes this.
  4. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    Thanks
     
  5. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    still not getting it to read the CV, so I used the decoder reset button...got it to accept the long address and the lights and direction works, will not start the motor...
     
  6. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    try hard wiring from decoder to motor?
     
  7. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    not sure how, there are 2 little tabs....
     
  8. p jones

    p jones New Member

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    bremner, did you ever get this to operate? I have a VO that will not work with a NAVO. I install the NAVO, put it on the track and zzzzzzzzt, smoke. Put the DC board back and it runs great. Tried another NAVO, zzzzzzzzzzt. Back to DC and it runs great again. Can't get any info from NCE on what may be the problem.
     
  9. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    Not yet, I am about to send it to them
     
  10. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    Oh it gets weird...this loco now has a short, and I have gutted it and still can't find the short
     
  11. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    Found the short...power pack is toast
     
  12. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    So, was the power pack the cause or the victim of the short, or both?
     
  13. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    Power pack....
     

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