Here’s an odd one. I bought a used Atlas N scale loco on ebay cheap. It was factory decoder equipped (Lenz). From the time it arrived it made a high-pitched screaming noise when running. The other day it just stopped running. The lights stil work, but no movment. I’m sure it is a blown decoder. My question is did the old, bad decoder cause the noise? I am newer to DCC and this is a first experience of this type to me.
Ron
In my experience, the only locos that ‘scream’ on DCC are non-decoder equiped locos. Are you sure it had a decoder and not just the factory light board? As for the motor not responding, the motor may be burned out or a wire may have dropped off.
If they’re sound decoders![:D]
(sorry, couldn’t resist!)
The screaming noise was more than likely from the motor or gears, and not the decoder. Lack of proper lubrication could have caused the motor bearings to make a screaming noise, which would eventually allow the armature to touch the magnets and short out. That’s probably why the locomotive was so cheap. You get what you pay for.
Older decoders didn’t have high frequency motor drives, so depending on the type of motor in the loco, they could generate noises almost like running a DC loco on DCC.
–Randy
I agree cacole. I have an Atlas MP15 (N) and it was squeeling badly in it last few months of life. It was one of my best running locos until the other day it was pulling a load up grade and “pop” it went and dead. I assume it was the load on the decoder because of the poor running motor. I just got a new decoder(TCS) in and plan on replacing it along with lubbing up the motor/gears.
Will let the OP know how it goes.
Peter
Most likely this is the cause!
Sounds just like a few old hand held electric drills I have had in the past, eventually they wear out, and the bearings start to make a “screaming noise” even though mine were lubricated, they only last for so long, then wear out.Basically, the same thing happens in motors for model train engines.It also depends on how much use and abuse the loco had before you bought it on Ebay.
Dealing on Ebay, you “pay your money and take your chances”.
Example, I bought a BRAND NEW, never used BLI GG1 from a train dealer, and when it arrived, it just sat on the track and made some noise, and wouldn’'t move.(The QSI sound system,lights, worked fine)
The dealer was GOOD GUY, and simply said he’d REFUND my money,which he PROMPTLY DID, then told me to just keep the engine as he did not want it back, so I basically got it for FREE.
The repair was actually quite simple and inexpensive(broken gear,probably got broke during shipping), so I feel like a got a GREAT DEAL!
I DID offer to ship it back to him, but he said no, he didn’t want it back.
Another example is I also collect solid mahogany WW2 airplanes.I receievd one from a well known dealer on Ebay and it arrived with a slightly damaged wintip, and had been signed by famed WW2 Flying Tigers aviator “Tex Hill”.
The dealer said he woould refund my money, which he did, and told me to keep it.I took it to a LHS where a buddy of mine worked, and he builds a lot of scale models.I showed it to him, and asked if the damage was “repairable”.It was and he repaired i
Well, I FINALLY found it. And no, it had nothing to do with the decoder nor the motor. One of the plastic “bearings” at the extreme front end of the drive shaft was the culprit. I had lubed this dude as I normally do with no luck, but when i completely disassembled the thing and lubed it internally it did the trick. When it quit that day I guess it was just stuck, because it has run well again since that day. Anyway, thanks for all your input.
Ron
Glad you figured it out… I have gone through three decoders now. These small decoders can’t take the extra drag from poor running gear I guess. I had to send my TCS decoder back for repair (thank God for goof-proof warrenty). Both of the Lenz decoders I tried are toast (smoked).
I will try to clean the truck gears out myself. Thanks.
Peter
p.s. what lubricant are you using?