Ok, folks, help me out here. I am making my first real jump into DCC as I am building my new layout in N scale. I have only 2 locomotives that are making the transition from my old layout–an Atlas GP40-2 and a Life-Like SW9. I had just purchased Digitrax decoders for these when MR’s August issue arrived. WHAT LUCK–the DCC Corner column gave a complete step-by-step on installing decoders in these exact locomotives. The Geep went great as it was a simple plug-and-play operation–no worries. The SW9 seemed to go well–I isolated the motor from the frame as per the article, using small ends cut from the origional pick ups as contacts to the frame. I placed the loco on my programming track and cranked up my new MRC Prodigy Adnance system. I was able to read the CV’s there and reprogrammed the address perfectly.
Then I moved the loco to the main. I called up the address, but as soon as I applied power to the loco I heard a tiny “pop” from inside the loco. I immediately took it from the track and when I opened the shell the decoders insulation seemed to be partially melted around the grey wire. Obviously there is some sort of a short, but where is it likely to be? I cannot see it. Fortunately Digitrax will repair this for $17, but I do not want a repeat performance. Any helpful ideas or suggestions?
Ron