OK, I installing a decoder in a new loco. All was good, I checked for shorts - there were none. Set it on the track and went to test it, and my Zephyr Xtra freaked out on me. Here's the symptoms: * Unplug / replug power, it comes up looking OK. * Put it in program mode and it still works OK with my programming track. I can read CVs from several locos (including the new one I was installing when things went nuts) just fine. * Try to turn on track power and this is where things go nuts: * * Turn track power ON, the DCS51 shows a short circuit. * * Turn track power back OFF, the DCS51 goes back to "normal" EXCEPT the track power LED goes GREEN (instead of off), and the locos on the track start running full speed. * * Unplug the power and plug it back in, and I can repeat the above... I tried resetting the DCS51 by writing to OpSw39, no joy. Here's the fun part. The DCS51 does this - even when the plug on the back is completely removed and NOTHING is plugged in. (Obviously the programming track doesn't work either this way...) Has anybody seen this? Is there some secret trick to reset it and get it working again? Am I stuck with boxing it up and sending it back? It's only a few weeks old... I'm writing an email to Digitrax Tech Support as well, but I am hoping somebody here knows something...
TwinDad, I don't have a Zephyr so I don't have any real suggestions but have you checked the Digitrax yahoo group? This set of symptoms seems familiar and somebody there may know the answer. Digitrax : Digitrax Users Group Chat List for those who are using the Digitrax DCC system for model railroads. The fact that it happens without being connected doesn't sound good though. Sorry. John
From what I know about my Zephyr, it sounds like yours is about to take a vacation to Florida without you. Please post back here, and let us know what Digitrax says, and what the resolution turns out to be.
I also can not help you on your Zephyr. When I had problems with engines going slow with out them being used with a throttle I just would reprogram them to CV=8 then reset the engine # and the CV2,6,5, settings and they then worked fine. But on Saturday I had to send back my DT400R throttle as it will only work plugged in and not with a good battery. The other throttles work fine. Still love my Digitrax stuff though.
Do you have a LocoNet cable to your computer or another powered device? If so, that is your problem. I had this happen to me with my Super Chief. If I had my Locobuffer USB (powered) connected when the power to the Super Chief was off, whenever I tunred the power on to the Super Chief, I got the same thing happen as you describe. I have also seen this when a booster need to be reset and when it comes back up it freaks out unless I disconnect the LocoNet cables from the other devices. I do not know why this happens, but this is what I found via trial and error.
I did have a PR3 (unpowered) connected to it via LocoNet, but... I can't recall whether the LocoNet cable (to a PR3) was hooked up at the time of initial failure, but it was still failing with literally everything but power disconnected... I even removed the plug in the back that has the screw terminals for the track wiring. I shipped it off to Digitrax this morning.
Same thing happened to my brand new Zephyr - operated OK for about 30 minutes. Following a derailment, doesn't want to clear the short, and when track power is restored, constant speed forward motion regardless of FWD/Brake/Reverse or speed input. Off to Digitrax for warranty service!
