OO Gauge DCC problems

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electricity_bill

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Hello again
This is the first time that I have been on since the move but hopefully somebody can help. My friend is building a 00 gauge layout and is new to DCC. He has bought a Hornby Elite Controller and 24 DCC Concepts Cobalt digital point motors. Both units appear to be NMRA compatible but he having installed 12 motors, he can only control 4 - at best!! He appears to have set things up correctly as per the instructions but no joy. I know this is not G Scale but can any one help?
Bill
 
When you say four points at best, does the number vary?

Two obvious questions, is the power for the point motors provided via the track? Have the points been modified so they don't isolate? If not, is it points in isolated sections which don't work?

Sorry, I had to ask.
 
Not familiar with the Cobalts, but having read the manuals I guess we need some more info:
Are the motors being used in stall mode or momentary power mode?
What power supply to the point motors?
What point decoder - DCC Concepts AD1 or 4 - or another brand?
Assuming using AD1 or 4, he's definitely used the "learn" switch for one decoder at a time to set the address, and returned the switch to normal before programming the next decoder?
When programming on the Elite and with AD1 "learn" on, he's definitely carried out all the steps that would usually operate a point accessory?

Tony's question re power and isolated points is an interesting one: I assume he's thinking that if the accessory decoder is wired to the track for its power, then if that section of track is isolated by another point the decoder(s) fed from that section won't work. Must admit I've always understood that it's best to run a separate DCC bus for accessory decoders, NOT to power them from the track. That's how I've wired mine.
 
Railcom needs to be turned off for the most reliable set-up. The manual isn't necessarily correct for Railcom and the Elite and in current versions have it turned on by default.

However, if you look at the Menu flow charts near the front of the v1.41 Manual, you will be able to find a reference to Railcom Enable/Disable.

As noted by other replies further info will enable a more detailed answer.
 
And we thought Gscale DCC was the dark side!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My brief encounter with OO entailed Hornby Elite/Railmaster/Accesory Decoder all of which did what it said on the tin (after some frustrated tweaking! (Probably due to my ineptitude!)))

A pity Massoth cant set up the "recorded" programming.
 
I believe the Cobalts are a DCC (or DC) point motor and do not require a separate decoder as such?

I have used one on Hardyard (with LGB MTS) and it works fine using address 1, but I can say how it operates from the Hornby system.

However, if some are working, then I suspect a programming error, or possibly a faulty batch of Cobalts?

Perhaps try programming all to the same address and testing each one in turn to ensure that they are functioning may be the way forward....
 
Gents
Thanks for your help. The response from my friend is as follows

"Power to the motors is via bus wire. 2.5 sq.mm. copper, twisted pair. Approx. 25 feet long, terminated at open end with a DCC Concepts filter.

The motors are DCC Concepts Digital point motors, they have integrated decoders, not the AD1/AD4 decoders. They operate in stall mode.

24 purchased, only 12 could be programmed, when connected directly to the Elite via short lengths of 16/0.2 mm twisted leads. Each was programmed individually, before fitting to the layout. Getting 12 programmed satisfactorily demonstrates that the correct steps were followed - no doubt about that.

Four of the programmed motors were connected to the bus wire via 16/0.2mm wires, with soldered joints to the bus wire. Call them 1, 2, 3 & 4! Located at the end of the bus wire remote from the Elite.

1 & 4 worked, 2 & 3 did not work. When 1 & 4 were connected to the wires installed for 2 & 3 motors, they worked, so the wiring is OK. When 2 & 3 were connected to the 1 & 4 wires, they did not work

But 3 & 4 work when tested by direct connection to the Elite via the 16/0.2 mm wires.

Two other programmed motors have been tried - one worked, one did not Both worked when re-connected directly to the Elite.

Railcom is turned off. Or it was, whether or not it has re-enabled itself at sometime when the Elite was switched off then back on is not known. That will be checked.

The points are Peco live frog, converted to switched frog, with insulated rail joiners where appropriate. Frogs are switched from the Cobalt motors, all works correctly. The power to the attached lengths of track is correct (the points are at one end of storage sidings, connected to each other in sequence), no shorts or anything apparently untoward, but not yet tested with a loco, not prepared to risk an expensive sound decoder until the problems with the motor decoders are resolved

The Elite is described by Hornby as 'NMRA Certified'. DCC Concepts say the motors are 'NMRA compliant'. Hornby say it's DCC Concept's problem, DCC Concepts say it's Hornby's problem. In reality, it's the user's problem!

Motors were purchased from Hattons, who say that the only times that they get any motors returned are when they've been bought by owners of Hornby Elite controllers!"

Bill
 
It sounds a little like the point motors and controllers have a slightly different 'take' on the DCC standards..??

No experience of either, but lots of experience of other 'de facto' standard systems where one interpretation of the standard differs to another!
 
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