Decoder problems

S

Simon Potter

Srpott40
Hi everyone,

Just been trying to sort out a few issues with my Engines (all of which run on via the Massoth DCC system). I have one problem which im not to sure where to start!

I have an LGB 2075, which has an Massoth Emotion LS decoder installed (a power buffer also installed). All was running well on this loco until a couple of months ago when i noticed that when sitting stationary the loco would be shorting out making the lights flicker (along with the lights on all other loco's)*. This would disappear as soon as the loco started to move.

I am also having problems programming or reading the CV values off of the loco due to an error coming up on the massoth system saying Power consumption is too large! (I suspect the two are related!)

Anybody have any ideas how the above issue is fixed?

Thanks
 
If it is a short as Greg suspects and I agree, best look inside and find it quick before your decoder blows. If it is okay when it moves it may be a loose wire near some moving parts. Is there any wiring outside the body shell, under the chassis perhaps?
 
I agree, something does not make sense, it might be an intermittant, and when sitting it can short and when running maybe it shorts less often.

Also, I'd unplug the keep alive, but I doubt this is the issue.

Can you have it short always when sitting, how reproduceable is it? Does it always happen? Does it happen immediately or after a while?

Greg
 
Hi Greg

Could you give you webserver a kick please? - HTTP 500 Internal Server Error

Thanks
PhilP
 
Greg Elmassian said:
I agree, something does not make sense, it might be an intermittant, and when sitting it can short and when running maybe it shorts less often.

Also, I'd unplug the keep alive, but I doubt this is the issue.

Can you have it short always when sitting, how reproduceable is it? Does it always happen? Does it happen immediately or after a while?

Greg
Click to expand...
The loco shorts out about once every 1-2 seconds. And will short with both the sound and lights on or them both off. Interestingly if I just put a tiny amount of power (move the speed up to 1) it will stop, and the loco will function normally
 
Simon Potter said:
The loco shorts out about once every 1-2 seconds. And will short with both the sound and lights on or them both off. Interestingly if I just put a tiny amount of power (move the speed up to 1) it will stop, and the loco will function normally
Click to expand...

So there could be a function set to come 'on' when stationary, with a wire hanging out of it, perhaps??

Need to open her up before something is damaged!
 
Three ideas.
Low power supply (voltage) - try it near to where the power supply meets your track.
Power buffers do get in the way of reading CVs - the switch (electronic) may be programmed and wired in - or disconnect the buffer.
However the first thing I would try is to disable analogue in the decoder.
 
stockers said:
Three ideas.
Low power supply (voltage) - try it near to where the power supply meets your track.
Power buffers do get in the way of reading CVs - the switch (electronic) may be programmed and wired in - or disconnect the buffer.
However the first thing I would try is to disable analogue in the decoder.
Click to expand...
Any ideas which CV needs to be changed todo that? As I’ll hopefully try and do it via program on track
 
stockers said:
Three ideas.
Low power supply (voltage) - try it near to where the power supply meets your track.
Power buffers do get in the way of reading CVs - the switch (electronic) may be programmed and wired in - or disconnect the buffer.
However the first thing I would try is to disable analogue in the decoder.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the idea, I’m using only about 1 meter of track for my testing so is not point one. The power buffer has an on off sw
stockers said:
CV29 bit 2. Have a look here.

https://www.gscalecentral.net/threads/the-dummies-guide-cvs-massoth.306701/
Click to expand...
thanks

One thing that has just crossed my mind, due to having problems in the past with them is the smoke generator being accidentally left on and melting the plastic and wire coating around it. Could this be causing the fully?

Although I’m happy to open this loco up, I just want to make sure I have the best idea of what to look for inside
 
Strange, but remember a motor can use a lot of current when just starting.

When under speed, does it run well, and have you measured the current the loco draws? (do it on DC would be easiest).

Sounds almost like one segment shorted on the motor, but then it would run badly.

Smoke is turned off?

When it "shorts" the rest of the layout hiccups I gather... what current can your system supply?

Greg
 
The system 'hiccuping'... This is not when crossing over a point is it?
 
PhilP said:
The system 'hiccuping'... This is not when crossing over a point is it?
Click to expand...
Greg Elmassian said:
Strange, but remember a motor can use a lot of current when just starting.

When under speed, does it run well, and have you measured the current the loco draws? (do it on DC would be easiest).

Sounds almost like one segment shorted on the motor, but then it would run badly.

Smoke is turned off?

When it "shorts" the rest of the layout hiccups I gather... what current can your system supply?

Greg
Click to expand...
Yeah its a Massoth system with i think gives out 23A?
When the loco is moving very slowly it will only take about 0.8A, foor this test i literally just have 1 meter of track and the loco on the track not points or anything "complex" like that!
 
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