Locomotive won't move

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Hello.

I have 3 Walthers Proto locos and a Digtrax DT602 controller. Everything has worked great until the other day. 1 loco will not move. I’ve trouble shooted the problem and found that all the sound and lights work. When I throttle up with sound on, it sounds normal like it should but no movement. I use identification number 288 with ID4 enabled. When I use a lower number like 0004 (the factory default is 0003) the loco works perfect. I just will not move if I set the identification number at 128 or higher. I’ve factory the loco and the problem continues. The other locos still work fine.

I’m confused and at a loss. I’m pretty new to DCC and any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

2

Welcome to the world of DCC.

The locomotive decoders are set at the factory to run on DCC address 03. You can run it on 03 but most people address (change CVs) to the locomotive cab address. Decoders require the right address to run. Keep in mind that there are 2 digit and 4 digit addresses. If you have a manual for your Digitrax system. Adjusting decoder settings should be in there. Just don’t get frustrated and if a CV setting is not functioning the way you expect, you can change it back or factory re-set the decoder.

Pete.

3

Welcome to the forums, Vetteman67.

[#welcome]

Your first posts are moderated, which means they will not appear immediately, but after several posts that problem goes away.

We look forward to hearing from you and hope you solve this issue.

4

Digitrax doesn’t support a short address with leading zeros. If you key in an address like 0003 it will not like it. An address of “3” should work after a reset.

There may also be a brake set or the locomotive is in “neutral”, check the decoder instructions to see if there is a function key that activates a feature like that.

To use a long address a bit in CV29 must be set. When you set the long address the command station will set CV29 for you. But you must set a long address using a program track.

5

When you turn the throttle up, does the sound change - i.e., does the diesel rumble or steam ‘chuff’ increase so it sounds like it’s moving, but it doesn’t move? Do the function buttons (horn, bell, lights) work?

If the idle sounds don’t change, and the function buttons don’t work, the decoder’s ID isn’t matching what you’re entering into your DCC controller. Put the engine on your programming track and check CV29 - as noted, it has to be set to allow long addresses. (Not sure which Digitrax command station you’re using - the DT602 is a handheld which I don’t think can do programming? - but on my old Zephyr you can enter a long address and it automagically changes CV29 to allow it.)

BTW - not sure why, but I’ve found once a while my system won’t recognize the long address unless the short address is left at 03. If it’s anything else, it seems confused. Maybe make sure the short address is 03 or 003, then set the long address.

If the sound does ramp up, and F buttons work, then you may have accidently adjusted one of the CVs controlling movement - like set the momentum way too high or something. But since the engine works on a short address OK, I’d guess it’s the CV29 deal.

6

Yes, it appears that you cannot get your engine number programmed. I’m no expert, but I did succeed once by programming specific CVs. There is a neat site that calculates that for 4 digit engine number programming purposes:

https://www.ruppweb.org/Xray/comp/decoder.htm

It says first to:

  1. set CV 29 to accept long addresses (usually that means setting bit 5 high)

So when I punch in 288 on that webpage, It says to program:

CV17 decimal value : 193

CV18 decimal value : 32

I have no clue if this works on all systems, but it works on my digitrax Zephyr.

Simon
7

I have the same problemwith a brand new BLI 4-6-2 1936 Streamline locomotive.

Worked fine straight out of the box. Then it set for a week while I was on vacation. Now will not move or respond at all, even to address 03.

Tried factory reset, no luck. I am trying it in on my NCE test track, using a new NCE SB5 power supply and a NCE Power Cab contoller.

I emailed BLI two times and called via phone during business hours. No one answered the phone and I have not received an email reply.Two weeks ago.

Anyone have any suggestions ?

The cab number is 3768 which I was able to set when I received it new. Operated fine, all functios worked.Tried a factory reset using the instruction manual, it did not work.

8

I would have started a new thread. The OP is brand new to DCC.

Anyway. Check the tender plug first. Make sure the pins are not bent and the plug is properly seated. Any other locomotive working? If so that rules out the DCC system.

Pete.

9

Did you do a “hard” reset using the pushbutton on the PC board? Don’t forget you have to cycle track power on then off while holding the button down.

I had several similar issues with the same engine using a Digitrax DCC system. BLI replaced the decoder and still problems persisted. Strange operation of the locomotive. No speed control and the engine would run at top speed forward. Switching to reverse the engine still ran forward.

The only cure that worked was to use “short address” of 68. I added a “Go Pack” keep alive and that helped as well. Finally I ripped out all the BLI electronics, including the smoke maker, and installed a Soundtraxx Tsunami2 decoder.

BLI_K4_SL_Parts by Edmund, on Flickr

Everything in the above photo except the tender and loco shell was ripped out. Paragon 4 is “supposed” to cure some P3 anomolies, BLI says.

BLI_Tender-Tsunami by Edmund, on Flickr

I put better, hi-bass speakers in, too [8D]

IF BLI hesitates to offer help (maybe they’re on vacation there?) let me know as I believe I saved the decoder and Go Pack from my old K4 and you can have it if it will help. Generally, though, BLI has been very helpful with any of my repair issues, warranty or not.

Good Luck, Ed

10

Yes all my other DCC locomotives work just fine.

11

Which PC board are you referring to? The one in the tender?

I’ll get back to it when I get a chance. Another project precedes it, the ceiling exhaust fan in my main bathroom decided to go south, so it’s my present repair project.

12

I guess you’re asking me? Yes the one in the tender. I called it “the PC board” but it is the decoder itself.

(This is a different engine but it shows the reset button)

BLI_P2-reset by Edmund, on Flickr

The tender shell is easy to lift off.

Good Luck, Ed

13

[quote user=“gmpullman”]

yeah, BLI is very helpful because they have plenty (I.e. more than any other manufacture) of experience fixing their inferior stuff. Just think about over the last 10 years how often we have read threads about how their decoders don’t work. And on it goes!

TheK4Kid
The cab number is 3768 which I was able to set when I received it new. Operated fine, all functios worked.Tried a factory reset using the instruction manual, it did not work.

Did you do a “hard” reset using the pushbutton on the PC board? Don’t forget you have to cycle track power on then off while holding the button down.

I had several similar issues with the same engine using a Digitrax DCC system. BLI replaced the decoder and still problems persisted. Strange operation of the locomotive. No speed control and the engine would run at top speed forward. Switching to reverse the engine still ran forward.

The only cure that worked was to use “short address” of 68. I added a “Go Pack” keep alive and that helped as well. Finally I ripped out all the BLI electronics, including the smoke maker, and installed a Soundtraxx Tsunami2 decoder.

BLI_K4_SL_Parts by Edmund, on Flickr

Everything in the above photo except the tender and loco shell was ripped out. Paragon

14

If as you say the engine “works perfect” on a short address, but won’t react when you program it to a long address, it obviously doesn’t have a mechanical problem like power pickup, etc. It’s just CV29 is set wrong so it’s not allowing a long address.

This is apparently a Walthers Proto diesel, who made the decoder? I believe the most recent ones use LokSound from ESU. If yours is ESU, the default value for CV29 is 12. If you add 32 to make it 44, it should turn on long addresses. Note that entering numbers in CV17-18 won’t do anything if you haven’t changed CV29.

15

I finally got around to pusing the reset button with a very small screw driver and that did the trick. IT works on factory code “3” but won’

t program to the loco number “3768”.

I tried using just my NCE PowerCab but it keeps giving me a reading of can’t read CV. I tried a Power Pax Booster I hooked in series with it. IT still won’t program to the loco number, so for now all I can do is run it on factory code 3.

Any suggestions?

16

If I try programming it via CVs what CVs and values should I use?

Think if I recall correctly that my Powercab came with it’s own powewrsupply . I’ll look for it.

17

Update

I couldn’t find the Power Cab power supply, so I ordered a new one, should have it within 7 days then go from there.

18

First you’ll have to check the manual / website for the decoder in it, to see what value to put into CV29. It may be, now that you’ve restored the decoder to factory settings, that CV29 may not be set to allow for long addresses.

Just for fun, I’d try setting the short address (CV1) to the last two digits of the engine number, and see if it takes that OK. If so, it means you can change the ID number, it’s just not accepting a long address.

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CV Calculators (digitrax.com)

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Hello All,

[#welcome] Vetteman67 to the forums.

Your first few posts will be moderated so there will be a delay in viewing them.

I use the NCE system so I am not familiar with the nuances of Digitrax control.

However, I do use Digitrax decoders in all my motive power.

Now back to Vetteman67s inquiry…

I am not familiar with “ID4.”

By this do you mean enabling the 4-Digit “Long Address” function of the decoder?

When you enable this function you have to use all 4-digits- -exceptions noted below.

DCC decoders don’t recognize leading zeros when the 4-digit “Long Address” function is enabled, eg. 0288.

I’m not sure how you got the locomotive to function using only 3-digits.

By “Identification Number” do you mean address?

Have you tried adding a trailing zero to the address- -2880?

Do you mean that the unit comes to life and functions normally?

When you enter 0-0-0-4 the decoder only recognizes the last 2-digits as address 04 even in the “Long Address” mode.

Have you tried to reset the decoder; CV8=V8?

Does it then respond to address 03?

When you addressed the other locomotives was the unit in question on the track and could have inadvertently been programmed to one of the other addresses?

Answering these questions can help the great folks on these forums with