I just purchased a new Atlas Dash 8 with sound and am having trouble with it in analog. I runs fine on level track and when pulling a grade, but it starts to lope when going down grade. It will slow down, then speed up. Slow down, then speed up. Slow down, speed up. Slow down, speed up. I tried different throttles and powerpacks, but no change. Cleaned the track and lubed the engine. No change. It appears to be in the engine itself. Any ideas?
Try re-setting your locomotive with the magnetic wand that comes in the box, just follow the instructions, and you can re set your locomotive to factory de-faults, hope it works for you.
Mac
The manual states the factory settings are for the Regulated Throttle Control, but Standard Throttle Control can be programmed into this engine.
The manual states on page 11, If you experience operating problems on grades with a consist of locomotive running under RTC, change all locomotives in the consist to use STC. I am not sure if you are running it by itself or in a consist, but it might be good to look at the manual… I have run my units on dc and DCC and DCC is more fun for sure. They do sound good.
Page 17 tells you how to change the mode of operation from RTC to STC for analog operation.
You can always send it back if it does not correct the problem.
bangert1…Thanks for the reply. I had tried that before with my pk2 gp9 and hated the effects of STC. You totally lose the effect of hearing the engine rev up while the loco just sits there and then slooooooowly start to pick up speed. If going to DCC will cure the problem, then I will wait. Will be going to DCC within the next 2 to 3 years.
If you want the rev up under DCC - just put in some momentum, CV03 and CV04. I did this with my father in law’s Trainmaster and the effect is swesome! Crank on the throttle, the motor revs up and the train just starts creeping along. As it reaches the set speed, the motor calms down. The dynamic brake sound works better if you have some decelleration programmed in CV04, too.
Be sure to go to the QSI web site http:\www.qsindustries.com (I think that’s right, from memory) and get the FULL Quantum Sounds manual. Atlas’s is the best of the bunch so far as far as what’s included with the loco, but even that only scratches the surface of what you can do with these things. The full DCC manual is over 140 pages. There is also a full version of the DC manual.
–Randy