Some of you read my review of the CVP Easy DCC system and how I used the locos as “test mules”. I did encounter a rather unusual problem, even on my short test track. Sometimes one unit would simply stop, for no apparent reason, and resume motion. I tried a number of things, as follows:
First, I was (and still am) using the AR terminals of the DZB7 booster. The autoreverse sensitivity was set at the factory default (Manual says it’s in the ~1 amp range). I tried upping the voltage of the booster’s power supply - I tried 16, then 18 volts, with no change. I set it back to 15 volts. I then tried using the handheld throttle, the built in throttles, the stopping kept occurring with both. Only occasionally would the unit go silent/no lights. So I figured maybe dirty track. I cleaned the track with a track eraser, it did look visibly cleaner, but no change to the problem. I tried the other unit, wondering if dirty wheels were the problem. Mind you, these units have maybe an hour or two of run time on them. There was no change, both units exhibited the same symptoms. I brought up the loco info in the CVP command station, I observed the %throttle as the units ran. The throttle %'age stayed the same, as it should. I began to wonder if the DCC signal was somehow being corrupted. Once, one unit took off at a fairly high throttle setting, not responding to commands to stop. Fortunately, it ran into an unpowered section and simply stopped.
Now, I’ve read where many sound equipped locos can draw an amp or better, AND where the booster’s autoreverse was factory set to trip at about an amp. I wondered if the current was autoreversing, and “confusing” the decoders. Sure, I could have switched to the other terminals, but on a hunch, I adjusted the “screw” on the AR for a higher amp’age. I only gave it about 1/8 turn clockwise.