Hi
I’m trying a new kind of decoder, at least new to me, the NCE D13SRP. I installed 3 in 3 different locos and they all have a very high piched buzz coming from the decoder (not the motor). It’s quite faint, hard to pick out when the loco is moving, but definately still there.
Is this normal? Does anyone know what is causing it and is there any way to stop it?
Thanks
Dan
That is not normal at all. What system are you using? Could it be possible that DC is leaking onto the rails from another power source? Or if they are plugged into the Athearn 8 pin socket did you remove the 9 pin jumper plug first? I have seen this burn up several decoders before.
Pete
Thanks for the reply. The system I am using is the NCE powercab. I don’t think there is an DC leaking, I have no DC power supplies hooked up. The locos are not Athearn, they are British Hornby with the 8 pin DCC ready socket. I’ve converted many before with Hornby decoders and one with an ESU loksound decoder, this is the first time I’ve noticed this sound. The decoders seem to be working fine, I’m able to change CVs etc.
Thanks again
Dan
Any type of buzzing noise at all is not coming from a non-sound decoder – they contain no components that can generate a buzzing noise.
Read the documentation concerning CVs 116 and 117, torque compensation kick rate and strength. These should both be set at 0 for the factory default.
Try resetting the decoders to factory default and see if the buzzing goes away. I’ve installed close to 100 NCE decoders and have never heard a buzzing noise from any of them.
Thanks Cacole. Maybe a high pitch whistle would be a better description than a buzz, but it’s definately coming from the decoder. The decoder is in the tender so it’s easy to differentiate motor noise from this.
I did try resetting the decoders, 116 and 117 were both 0 and the noise was present, I adjusted both and the noise didn’t change.
I put 3 different decoders (same type) in 3 different locos and they are all making this noise.
Thanks
Dan
I cannot even begin to count the number of NCE decoders that I have in lcoos on my layout including the D13SRP, and none of them make any noise. It is not the decoder that is the problem even if it is producing the noise. The problem is caused somewhere else.
Rich
False. I also have the NCE POwercab system, and I have the exact same sound on my Soundtraxx TSU-750 medium steam engine decoder. It’s the decoder.
Cooped, I have not tried this yet, but it could be a clipping sound. Maybe try muting all sounds pressing the F8 function on your NCE POwerCab remote. If the sound persists, then you’re going to have to send the decoder in for repair/replacement.
Interestingly enough, the sound goes away when the speaker is removed. One other thing you can try is to lower the volume to see if that does it.
Regardless of the cause of the problem the sound is coming from the decoder. Different decoder type, no sound.
And this is not a ‘sound’ decoder with a speaker.
Dan,
I agree with Chuck. It sounds like the torque-compensation of the decoder. NCE uses this instead of BEMF to achieve good low-speed response with their decoders. It can be adjusted or turned off via CVs.
For confirmation you can always call Larry Larsen @ NCE on Tuesday. Keep in mind that they might be shut down for that week so that their small staff can spend time with their families.
Dan, are all three decoders working well otherwise?
Tom
Tom,
thanks. The noise however is present regardless of the settings for the torque compensation, but yes, otherwise the decoders seem to be performing ok. If I can’t figure it out before Tuesday I’ll give NCE a call as you suggest.
Dan
Dan.
Is the buzz all the time or only when the locos are moving? If it is only when moving does the locos have core less motors or some other type of motor besides a wire wrapped permanent magnet type? I am not sure what type of motor Hornby uses.
Pete
I have 5 NCE D13SRP decoders on my layout, and none make any noise whatsoever.
So, prior to the OP’s call to Larry at NCE, what are we concluding? That all three of his decoders are faulty? Not likely.
I don’t think anyone is challenging the fact that the noise is coming from the decoder. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the decoder is faulty. It could be that something outside the decoder is causing the decoder to produce the noise. Yes? No?
Rich
Noise occurs when the train is stationary and moving, doesn’t seem to change either way. Hornby use 5 pole skew wound motors, further than that I don’t know.
It does not seem to be connected with the motor. As the decoder is in the tender I tried just placing the tender on the track without the engine and the noise it there, so it’s happeneing even when not connected to the motor.
Thanks for everyone’s thoughts.
Dan
Not sure if it makes any difference that the locos are steamers, not diesels.
How about this. Do you have a decoder tester? If you do, remove the decoder from the tender and wire it up to the decoder tester. Does the noise still occur?
Rich
It sounds to me like you are hearing something on the decoder proper being excited at 60 hertz. I don’t think it should do that. So…
Crandell
So…what?
No, I don’t have a decoder tester. I tried the decoder in a Proto 2000 loco, same noise.I then put the other decoder (hornby) type I’ve used in and now I’m listening for it I can hear it with that decoder too,but quieter hence I didn’t notice it before.
The mystery deepens…
It sure does. Keep us posted.
Rich
Cooped,
You may or may not be amused by this but, in NCE’s literature for the D13SRP, they state:
“Directly replaces noisy Lenz LE103/LE103XF series decoders”.
Rich
Ha ha, yes don’t worry I’m not verging on crying yet. If it turns out i have to just put up with this noise so be it. I’m now thinking that as I can hear it faintly on the other decoders I’ve used (Hornby R8249 if anyone wants to look them up, they’re pretty basic) then maybe it’s something with my powercab.
Dan