Just installed a Train Control Systems DP5X decoder in a Kato SD90 HO scale locomotive. It is very noisy, sounds almost like it is running on the ties. I thought it might just need a little grease on the gears but thought I would check here first. It is brand new, I bought it about 2 1/2 years ago, but it has never run. Any suggestions?
Did it make the noise before the decoder went in? It would be helpful to know if the decoder installation introduced the problem or if it is loco related.
Does it make the noise if you run it with the shell off?
Assuming the issue was introduced with the install, I would be looking for a wire rubbing on a gear, or something that moves when the train runs.
Since this is a direct plug-in decoder, the noise may be originating from the top of the decoder touching the body shell and causing it to vibrate.
A piece of double-sided white foam tape on top of the decoder may cusion it and stop the vibrations if this is the cause of the noise, but you also risk causing the decoder to overheat if you block too much of its air flow.
I would try putting the double-sided tape inside the shell and leaving the protective covering on the side that is going to come into contact with the decoder instead of allowing the tape to stick to the decoder.
Since I don’t have a DC system, I ran it with the Digitrax Zephyr in DC mode to test it before installing the decoder, but they are so noisy when operated in DC on a DCC system it is hard to tell if it is making noise from gears or something else. To compare it to other locos’ I ran in DC, it sounded the same.
I don’t think that is the problem, it sounds more like something running on the ties, not a vibration. I checked the wheels and the underneath of the loco, but nothing looks out of place. I heard that some decoders are noisy, just wondering what noises they make?
TCS decoders are usually not the ones that people are talking about when the say the decoder can cause noise.
You said in your original message that the engline is a couple of years old and had never been ran – it may just need to be lubricated.
The noise you’re describing is a classic symptom of cracked drive gears on a Proto 2000 or Athearn locomotive, but I have never heard of a Kato having that problem.
You’re probably right, I think I’ll give it a lube and see how it sounds after that.
Thanks for your help!