XLS running Noise

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gibsonjody

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Hi people,

Looking for a little advice, I recently purchased an Massoth XLS decoder for an LGB Spreeweld 21741.

The card/motor is noisy when running, it’s a new XLS with 4.0 firmware, I have been playing with this for a bit now.

I have tried it on a few motors all noisy, here are some tests videos. I took one of my tender motors and checked it with a DC supply (disconnected the old decoder first) (first video), then reconnected an older XLS (running 2.6 I think) (second video). Finally I disconnected the track and motor wires and connected them to my new XLS card (video 3)

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These videos may not be the best, but the third video has quite significant motor noise and I don't know why! It’s not coming through the speakers as its disconnected, I have changed this card in to 5 other converted engines, so 5 motors all together, all of which run silently with my older XLS cards (and some very old LGB cards), but are noisy with this new card.

I have changed CV9 a few times; 16kHz has always worked well before. I have also tried different starting voltages (CV2), nothing fixes this problem.

I am at a loss as to why this card is so noisy, any advice?

Thanks in advance.
 
You say you checked it with a DC supply - am I reading that correctly. I assume the recording No.3 is using DCC.
LGB motors work best on 16Hz, I doubt its a frequency issue.
it is sounding like you have a duff card but lets re check things. Can you confirm what Central Station you are using and that the exact same kit is being used on the old decoders as well.
Have you checked the wiring - I am not aware of any changes to the decoder recently but does the board share the exact wiring layout as the older ones.
 
Have you tried factory defaulting the motor settings on the decoder?

Write 66 to CV 7
Check CV 9 is '0'

Though I to think the decoder is probably faulty..
 
Hi Alan, I use a PIKO central station (35010) with a Massoth navigator (running 2.0 firmware). Yes its the same kit being used for all decoders. Checked wiring many time, 2 track and 2 to motor, thats all I am connecting to the new card in these tests.
Yes I checked the motor was running fine by disconnecting the 2 motor wires,then connecting them direct to DC (see start of video 1)
 
I fitted a new XLS 4.0 last week to a single motor LGB loco and didn't notice any noise like the one from your video. However I did remove the original LGB main board so the XLS is directly connected to the motor. If you installed yours using an adapter cable from the XLS to the existing board you might want to try connecting it directly to the motor just to rule out any possible XLS / original board issues.
 
Certainly doesn't sound like 16kHz PWM, it sounds more like 60Hz
 
Hi Ralph, it's connected directly to the motor, no LGB board between, I always find it easier to remove everything, and start fresh when converting my engines.
 
Bit of an update, I contacted Massoth.

Peter responded,He hold me they have changed the way the motor is controlled, and he did not believe the sound was a problem, as the speaker would drown it out!!! He just says its an PWM noise but at another frequency (not fully sure what that means).

I responded, and told him I was not happy with this. He responded by supplying me older firmware for me to install version (3.55).

This seams absurdly stupid!!! I do not believe they would make newer firmware sound this bad.

Thanks for all your advise so far :)
 
gibsonjody said:
Bit of an update, I contacted Massoth.

Peter responded,He hold me they have changed the way the motor is controlled, and he did not believe the sound was a problem, as the speaker would drown it out!!! He just says its an PWM noise but at another frequency (not fully sure what that means).

I responded, and told him I was not happy with this. He responded by supplying me older firmware for me to install version (3.55).

This seams absurdly stupid!!! I do not believe they would make newer firmware sound this bad.

Thanks for all your advise so far :)
Click to expand...

I am afraid to say (of late), 'Normal for Massoth'.. :(:rolleyes:
 
I like the factory solution... so when my car starts to make noise I'll just turn the radio up... what fun merrily driving down the highway as parts fly out of the hood (oops bonnet)...

Interesting that the updated firmware would make more noise, normally you want "supersonic" frequencies for PWM (so you don't hear them), but maybe they were having issues with this and BEMF... sure be nice to get a more technical explanation of just what was changed.

Greg
 
I took advantage f the sunny weather this afternoon to run some trains and, out of interest, I ran my loco with a very recent XLS and one with quite a "mature" XLS (firmware still on 2.xx I think) which coincidentally is a Spreewald I chipped a few years' ago. Neither loco made any unusual noises and even sticking my ear close up to them I couldn't detect any difference during starting, stopping and running. Both drew about the same current when pulling similar length trains - about 0.6 amps.

I appreciate this is not a particularly scientific test but maybe it points to the problem you're having as being a fault with the decoder, rather than just a CV or firmware issue?
 
Installing 3.55 firmware made no difference for me, Massoth have now sent me 2.92. I am losing hope that this will work!

I am convinced its the decoder hardware and not the firmware. Given the supplier has neglected to respond to my emails I will pray Massoth have a solution.

Will keep you all posted.
 
gibsonjody said:
Installing 3.55 firmware made no difference for me, Massoth have now sent me 2.92. I am losing hope that this will work!

I am convinced its the decoder hardware and not the firmware. Given the supplier has neglected to respond to my emails I will pray Massoth have a solution.

Will keep you all posted.
Click to expand...

If you do not have any luck with the supplier, then PM me..
PhilP.
 
gibsonjody said:
Installing 3.55 firmware made no difference for me, Massoth have now sent me 2.92. I am losing hope that this will work!

I am convinced its the decoder hardware and not the firmware. Given the supplier has neglected to respond to my emails I will pray Massoth have a solution.

Will keep you all posted.
Click to expand...

Did you get the decoder from a UK supplier? If so, time to make more of a fuss to them, I would think...... if they won't respond to emails, phone them - tell them they sold you a faulty decoder and you'd like it replaced.....

Jon.
 
Well I stand corrected, Installed 2.92 and its sounds good, sounds like a normal engine again :D

I have been swapping the decode into a few of my engines as I have been experimenting, the video below is the card installed in my little kleine dicke (a relativity easy access engine)


Amazing, I never believe this would work.

Does anyone know what features I have lost now the card is running 2.92 instead of 4.0?

One thing I did notice is that keys 13, 14 & 15 didn't make any sound when pressed, maybe its because I had to install a older sound file as part of the downgrade process.

Will try it back in its intended spreewald, hope its as quiet!
 
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Zerogee said:
Did you get the decoder from a UK supplier? If so, time to make more of a fuss to them, I would think...... if they won't respond to emails, phone them - tell them they sold you a faulty decoder and you'd like it replaced.....

Jon.
Click to expand...
Quote the Consumer Rights Act to them, it supercedes the Sale of Goods Act, Goods of Merchantable Quality Section.
 
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