Hi all, I just installed 2 DN163A1 in two atlas SD-50’s. I test ran them prior to the Decoder installation, and they both ran fine. After the installation, they still run ok, but there is a buzzing sound coming from the engines while they are running, similar to the sound you hear from big transformers. It says right on the cover of the package that these decoders are designed for quiet operation, did I do something wrong during installation?? Is there a CV or something somewhere that needs to be set? I am running on an NCE PowerCab system if that’s important. Please bare with me, I am very new to DCC and have alot of questions...
Dave, You might want to check CV9, motor drive frequency/PMW. Depending on what it is, default is 0, increase it by 5-10 until the noise goes away. Richard
Are these locos N scale? If so you should not hear any buzzing sound with these decoders and the factory default settings of these digitrax decoders. What voltage are you applying to the track? It should be no more than 11.8 volts for N scale. If it is set higher (some like to do this) this may be an explanation for the buzzing. Also have you tried to reset the decoders?
I have had the same problem with some of my DN163A1s. I am slowly replacing them with the NCE equivalants. No problems with these.
Richard, thanks, that seems to have done the trick. I set CV9 to 000, the defults was 255!. The engines still buzz a little, but you have to put your ear right up to the engine. 90% improvement!. Also, the engine CREEPS along real slow now. before when CV9 was 255, the engines could not creep and had very choppy acceleration. So looks like I killed two birds with one stone! Thanks Again!
