I just hooked up Digitrax SEB on my layout, and I suspect I am getting some kind of radio interference. My Bachmann Loco (no sound) hums when I start to increase the speed. My Athearn Genesis loco (with sound), will not respond to my commands, it just sits there and hums very loudly (but the lights come on).
Any help trouble shooting would be much appreciated. Thanks.
OK, a few questions to start with. Do either of these locomotives have a ‘Decoder’ installed? If the model is labeled ‘DCC Ready’ - There is no decoder. That ‘hum’ sort of indicates that there is not decoder installed. Select address ‘00’ and see if you can make the engine move. If it does, there is not decoder. I would not run a decoder-less engine too long on DCC - the motor can overheat.
If they have decoders installed(‘DCC on Board’ for the Bachmann), and I suspect a sound decoder for the Athearn Genesis, then select address ‘03’ and try them. ‘03’ is the default decoder address for new decoders.
Another thing to try - have you enabled DCC track power? This is done with pressing the ‘PWR’ button in the lower left corner of the throttle, and then the ‘Y/+’ button just below the MU button.
Jim
Ok, I’m embarrassed, the Athearn unit is not dcc, it’s only “ready.” In my own defense, I bought it, must have been 3 yrs or so ago.
But the humming is still a problem. My Bachmann unit is definitely DCC and responding to my commands at address 03 (I’m working on my programming track right now).
Does all dcc stuff hum? Kind of sux.
No humming from any of my decoders. It could be the cheaper decoder that Bachmann installed is not a silent drive decoder. Most factory installed decoders are silent drive but there are some especially older ones or entry level types (cheap) are not silent drive and will make noise.
Pete
The cheap Bachmann DCC motor decoder does hum, it’s not a ‘silent running’ type of decoder. Use a quality decoder from TCS or NCE and you won;t have humming.
–Randy
Ok, thanks everybody. Got to get me some better decoders with sound, too.