Hi rails, I've a problem here and hope some of you "expertize" can switch my light on in some way! I've installed a Soundtrax micro Tzunami (750) in my Kato GS4 (N scale). It was a long story, but at the end I've select to insulate the motor and take 2 wires from this to the decoder. I've check all possible shorts with a meter and everything is going well... but.. I've an NCE PowerCab starter set that is working nice with all my decoders and (at least for the first 5 minutes) also with the Tzunami: I've read CVs with no problem without any booster! Long story short... after a while (maybe I've done mistakes in CV setting?) the decoder seams looked! I always receive "can't read CV" on the display, Decoder is still at address 3, they sound very nice when I exit the programming track, but .... motor is always still! No way to move it - no way to program the decoder - I've try also the NCE feature for unlock (automatic try all 255 value for CV15) - no way to write a reset (8) on CV 8 .... Disconnecting motor from decoder an power it in DC... motor is running. All sounds are working ( at addr 3 only). What I can do? Any idea / suggestion ? Thanks in advance for any feedback! Cheers Enzo Fortuna
Hmmm.. it acts as if the motor is not connected to the decoder (unable to read CVs, motor not running, all other functions OK), which could mean a connection problem between the decoder and motor, or in the motor driver circuitry in the decoder itself. I hope it's not the latter.
Enzo / Doug I had a similar situation using a Zephyr set with programming track booster ( rip-off ? ? ). The Zephyr would communicate with 4 digitraxx decoders and two Soundtraxx DSX decoders. In the Tsunami case decoder was rcv'ng power, but no sound out and no motor power out. It is currently in Durango for check-up.
Use program track Are you using the program track or ops mode? Try the program track mode and see if you can read any CVs. If you happen to read 255's in a bunch of CV,s I would think that you might have a short in one of the motor wires. Touching the frame. Try reseting the decoder by using CV30 set it to 2 or use CV8 and set to 8. I would check for a short first before you try to reset. Good luck. and lets know how you make out.
Thanks for all suggestions, but I've already done all possible check here. I'm using the program track and have try also the nice NCE feature of "try to unlock" (try all 255 possible value for CV15 to match CV16 ...= Can't read CV) As last option I've connect just speaker+rails+a free standing motor to the decoder... with same results! Last night I've try to replace the decoder with a Digitraxx D163 I've in hand... motor is running, so I've write to the supplier for support: I'm waiting some kind of answer. Cheers Enzo Fortuna Home of Enzo Fortuna personal Site - Welcome!
Just an update if somebody interested: - Soundtraxx fit a micro fuse in serie on the motor output: I think this is VERY CLEVER solution and a good news given cost of such decoders. I'm trying to organize a repair sendng back dec to SNDTRX. - I've discover some time ago Litchfield Station e-shop and I must say: my best compliments. They demonstrate one of the best service I've experiment. Timely, kindly, good prices and for sure "professional" : take the good work on! Try it at : Litchfield Station, Home Page Just a satisfied customer. Cheers Enzo Fortuna Home of Enzo Fortuna personal Site - Welcome!
Enzo, I have been following this thread and am glad you got it figured out. The fuse is a good idea for protecting the decoder, except as you have foound out it has to be sent back for ST to get it fixed. It sounds like there was a momentary short or a power surge of some sort to cause the fuse to blow. I also have had excellent results/response from Litchfield Station...GREAT people to work with. I have placed all my orders with them for the past 2 years. Also I would like to commend you on your abililty to write in english, I know it is very difficult. I sure wish I could speak another language fluently let alone write it fluently. Let us know when you have your replacement working.
I've the same in mind, but one point of view can be that a "standard" fuse is to big to be fitted inside a loco. They use SMD (very,very tiny) solid state fuse and such devices need to be soldered on a piece of PCB. Soundtraxx use plastic thermal sealing cover to protect copyright chips and electronics from modelers metal scraps and fingers. That's my understanding, at least. Thanks, but I've a "plus" in my past.... I lived for 10 years in the hills up to Santa Cruz, California. What I've never been able to speak fluently was my German, that I learn in my high school for 5 years! Maybe in the future we all need to learn Chinese? Hope no! Cheers Enzo Fortuna Home of Enzo Fortuna personal Site
