I installed a plug & play TCS (DP2X) decoder in a Bachmann Gas Electric which the TCS web site shows as the proper decoder. I have an NCE system. Upon initailly placing the car on the layout with the system on, but without ever calling up the address ( #3), the car began moving on its own at an erratic pace. I thought the decoder may have been installed in reverse, but rotating it 180 degrees did not help. I could not address it or get it to respond to address 3. The gas electric is at least 10 years old. Anyone know if there is something else that needs to be done to successfully install a TCS decoder in an older gas electric?
Sounds like the Motor is shorting with one of the track leads. Did you check for actual isolation before install? Does the decoder work in other locos? Are there traces to cut on the PC board?
Sorry, standard questions.
David B
Place the loco on the program track and see if you can read CVs. Always go to program track first. The limited current will sometimes keep the smoke away.
It may be you have some DC leaking into the track buss. Check that also.
Pete
Since it’s a Bachmann - does it have capacitors and choke coils (look like little resistors) on the circuit board? These interfere with the high frequency motor drive from the decoder. The capacitors you can clip, they are parallel to the motor, but the choke coils have to be repalced with jumper wires since they are in series with the motor.
–Randy