Hi all, the issue with them, and other decoder makes, running off at max speed may be because they are not set to DCC only. When a decoder detects power the first thing it does is asks are you DC or DCC. If it picks up DC it then waits for a DC power increase to move etc. However if a DCC system is shorted, when it comes back on often a DC signal is sent out first. This confuses the chips making them think they are on a DC layout so when the full DCC power comes on, they shoot off. Although they say you can use the chips on either DC or DCC, for exhibitions and at home I switch the DC option off and this has stopped this from happening. Cheers, James
Been there done that... the "blast off" problem has been after the loco is already running and already "accepted" DCC. As I said, the TCS decoders have more glitches on the SAME layout with the SAME track with the SAME NCE system in the SAME loco. Going to full speed, losing control at speed, erratic operation and the bugs in the custom speed table are what I have encountered consistently. Since I always use custom speed tables in my Z scale locos, I've had to find different vendors, Digitrax, Zimo, C.T. Electronik. Greg
All the TCS decoders have the same logic for this, as I believe I stated, and really, most people know...
Okay I've had to "flash" a few decoder contacts in my time but the CN-GPs have always fit so tight it's sometimes hard to get them in the slot...Any other quirks I'm missing?????
On the ones I had, I experienced that issue as well. I just filed the frame to avoid any shaving on the decoder board.
My experience: I don't have permanent layout and resisted converting my stable of old atlas locos to DCC for a while. Bought a PowerCab to dip my toe in the water and a couple locos with decoders already installed. Really cool stuff and the I was bitten by the DCC bug. I was told that TCS was a very good brand of decoders and started buying some drop in board replacements which were simple to install. Then started buying CN and CN/GP with extra money to do an installation binge at some point when time allowed. Well, time is here due to a job change. Took on installing 5 TCS CN's in my Utah railway RSD 4/5s to haul my new Atlas Utah railway hoppers. First attempt, the split board was so tight in the slot I slipped and ripped off the LED and resistor at the end of the board. Off to TCS it went. Waiting on a replacement under warranty. Installed the remainder with a little more finesse. After some fiddling, all work but have trouble deleting consist settings. Have to re-program each decoder after setting up a five unit lash-up (which was really fun to run and pull 50 coal hoppers). Individual locos act up every now and then and I have to reset everything. With some success under my belt, I moved on to installing the CN-GPs I have to do. Read the complete installation guides that TCS provides online. Milled the frame of one, installed it. Nothing. Checked for shorts to the frame, tore it down, re-soldered, nothing. Realized the multiple re-soldering loosened the brush housing. Tried hooking up to DC to test the motor, smoked the decoder. Replaced the motor and went to decoder #2. Reinstalled, works really nicely. Confidently moved on to milling the next 4 frames. Installed another one. Nothing. Torn it down looked for frame contacts, nothing, Tried again, nothing. Cannot figure it out for the life of me. Just sitting on the workbench now, totally frustrated. Tested the next three decoders before installing, since it is such a pain to break everything down again and again. All of them took off at jackrabbit speed with a test motor attached; uncontrollable and not programmable. Will call TCS tomorrow for help, but right now really disappointed in the CN-GP decoder. wasted a day trying to get these working. Not hating on TCS as I am a big fan and have done about 30 other TCS drop in decoders for newer locomotives with good results.
I must be a very lucky N scale modeler, as I have 7 CN-GPs and two CNs in service with no issues. Now... I just jinxed it.
Ditto. Never had any problems. Now I can feel the smoke escaping even though I am at work and they are at home. On a positive note, there's that 'no questions asked' warranty.
This decoder can be finicky. I used one to convert a LifeLike C424. I just took my time to make sure everything was isolated/insulated using kapton tape. Also, I added some solder to the pads that touch the frame for conductivity. I found it didn't take much. When the board was slid in, the frame sort of gouged it's way into the solder and made for a tighter, more reliable connection.
