I’ve built an N scale switching layout, and it’s currently set up for DCC control. However, even with clean track and wheels, my locomotives will still stall multiple times during a session - which kind of ruins the experience for me. Owing to the small size of the locomotives, I can’t fit a keepalive in them - there isn’t even enough space for a KA-N1, which is designed for N scale trains.
I have also observed that on my test track (a loop of Kato Unitrack), that when I run a pure DC locomotive on my PWM throttle, it will run without issue. On the same track at the same time, DCC locomotives will struggle to complete a circuit. By which I mean a cheap Bachmann trolley will run more reliably than a Kato NW2 with DCC. (I’ve also tried the NW2 in DCC analogue conversion mode, and found it ran more reliably.)
As such, I’m considering stepping back from DCC and converting my N scale fleet back to DC, then using a PWM throttle with momentum. Would this be more reliable, or am I barking up the wrong tree?
I wonder what’s causing this? I have Kato DCC locomotives and I don’t have problems with them, even at very slow speeds. Hope you have someone able to figure out the issue.
I think something else is wrong. I went through he same thing with the DCC “Ten-Wheeler” on my Bachmann “Whistle Stop” set. Cleaned wheels and tracks until the cows came home, and it still hesitated at certain spots (crossovers and turnouts) mostly, bur occasionally anywhere it felt like it. After a bunch of sleuthing with my multimeter set to “ohms” checking continuity, I discovered that the rear tender truck was not supplying power like it was supposed to. I found that the contact strips in the tender body were not making contact with the feeders from the truck. A little judicious bending to restore contact, and everything is now fine.
I’m not saying this is your problem, but it shows what can happen.
Running in DC does make it easier, but double-heading in DCC is pretty much bullet proof. I agree that some detective work might reveal some issues in the trackwork.
I would tend to agree with @Tubman who i would say welcome to. In the past few months while i was waiting for supplies to lay some track i tested several DC locomotives. I have since updated several of them to DCC. Some work great, others still a bit problematic, my most temper mental one i probably should not of done however it was one of my father in-laws favourite ones as it was similar to one he rode in the cab in as a young man and we really wanted to include it in our roster.
The physical DCC upgrade went well but i had problems programming the decoder. Aver some advice from here i got looking into the connection to the tracks. Cleaned up all the wheels, copper springs and plates / pivot points as best i could. And was finaly able to assign it an address but it is still very jumpy on the tracks. Im pretty sure i need to look into some kind of complete upgrade of the pickup system.
Maybe not enough feeders? I had similar problems with my previous layout not having enough feeders. My current one has a feeder about every 3 feet with 14 gauge buss wires and my mostly Kato N scale fleet runs very well.
I’ve got feeders going to all sections of the track.
Turns out it was because I was using isopropyl alcohol to do the cleaning. That was based on old information, as it attracts gunk. I’m going to be switching to mineral spirits and installing TCS KA-N1 keepalives in my locos.