0-4-0 with CT Elektronics decoder runs slow

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I recently installed a TCS Z2 decoder in an n-scale Bachmann 0-4-0 and it ran great! I forst tested it on DC to verify the running and was pleased.

Now I had a nearly identical Bachmann 0-4-0 (this on uses plastic gears instead of brass). I used this decoder instead as it is smaller and I was hoping to use the room to add resistor for a forward light:

http://store.sbs4dcc.com/CTElektronikDCX76zD/FSub-MicroDCCDecoderNEM6516-PinWiredPlug.aspx

The install went well as I had previous experience from the first 0-4-0. However, when I put it on the track, it seems to only crawl around the track at half throttle (step 14 of 28) and at full throttle it is only slightly more than a crawl. And the motor gives an anoying buszzing sound. I tried changing CV9 motor frequency (which I assume is the PWM) and this seems to reduce the hum at the higher levels, but the spped is unaffected. This seems like a fairly complex decoder sheet compared to the TCS and I am not sure what or where I should be adjusting. Am I overloading this decoder? I do not think so as it does run, just very slowly.

Again, this ran well in DC. I even rigged it back up to DC to verify and it does run well. Just DCC with this decoder. I would really like to get it working right and then add the resistor to an LED for the front light. Otherwise I will get the TCS and run without lights.

2

Reset the decoder. David B

3

It IS a complex decoder. You’ll need to mess arowunf with the PWM settings, and there is also i think a motor type setting. Out of the box I forget what they come set for, but if it was kind of buzzy then it might be set for a very poor quality motor. OTOH, if it’s set up for a coreless motor and you’re trying to run a bachmann, that won;t work so well either.

I haven’t used any, but a friend of mine who scratchbuilds small N scale steam locos has used a few, mainly to be ablt to cram the decoder in a small slopeback tender witht he motor (tender drive, since his locos are too small to fit the motor in) and as I recall, getting them set up properly took a lot of fiddling, as well as using my rudimentary German skills to look at the original instruction sheet since some things don;t translate well.

Once configured, they are excellent performning decoders.

–Randy

4

I have done that several times. Iknow it has reset as the address goes back to 3 and the performance returns back to factory original, more crappy. Only adjusting the motor frequency do I see any change in performance. It improves from really bad to just bad.