Have a Digitrax DCS100, a DT300 throttle and 2 DT400R throttles. Plus a couple of utility throttles. Right now,my problems are with the DT300 and 400 throttles. DT300 - Plug in to command station or UP panels. Can power tings up/down with no problem. As soon as I move the throttle knob, throttle whacks out. Screen displays all sorts of characters, shows voltage and returns for normal operation. Repeats process every time I turn the speed knob! DT400R - Works fine when tethered to command station or UP panels. When I unplug for wireless running, the throttle goes to Idle. Started this when I last tried using it on the Moffat modelers layout. Does the same thing at home. Same situation with both throttles. Did a battery change on command station, with no change in operations. Put brand new 9V battery in the DT400. Still goes Idle when unplugged. Can release/dispatch a locomotive or consist and acquire/run with utility throttles, no problems! Not sure if I should remove battery from command station and start over. Don't know if there's a way to reset command station and/or throttles. I'm not sure if I'll have to send in for repair work or not. Irritating if I want to run, since things act up. Even worse, if I want to run on Moffat Modelers layout, or N Track modules during shows. I'm at a loss as to what to do! Any help and/or information appreciated. Thanks.
I can speak to the first one anyway. Your DT-300 sounds like it has suffered the capacitor failure problem. They apparently got a bad batch of capacitors way back when and they just get all crazy when that happens. I bought two at bargain prices that had that problem (I knew they had the issue) and contacted Digitrax and they had me send them in for repairs. It cost me $25/throttle (they were WAY out of warranty by this time) and I still have two working throttles. Adam
The "Idle" thing on the DT400R, according to my Google-Fu (sorry, I have not DT-400 to try or I would experiment) appears to be the throttle not communicating with your UR91 panel. The things I have looked at suggest being sure it is powered up with a wall-wart or other power source and then even plugging your DT-400R into it to be sure it can "see" it. It could also be a bad LocoNet cable between your UR91 and the command station.
The DT300 sounds like it might be a bad encoder. Does this happen when you move both throttle knobs or just one? It could also be a loose CPU. The CPU is socketed and it will work its way loose. I don't think this is dried capacitors. DT400s going to idle is low 9v battery, bad Loconet cable, bad power supply (or unplugged) or the UR91 has drifted off of frequency. Contact Digitrax Tech Support. Rich
A few quick answers. DT300 - Yes, whacks out when either knob is turned. Will check the internals and see IF I can see anything unusual, or loose. Something loose is possible,since I seem to enjoy dropping that throttle when I'm running multiple trains! DT400 - Goes idle,even with a new 9V battery. Cables are the stock 18 or 24 inch Digitrax cables. Never had problems before. UR91 is the only thing connected to the layout(2x4 foot). And that's if I decide to use the UR91 and radio throttle. Never had problems before. I've got a small wall wart I can poker's into the UR91 to check power. Don't think that's it though, since I'm only using 2, maybe 3 units on my layout. Or, the Intermountain cab forward, alone, or sometimes with one other unit. Not enough locomotives to be a major power draw. Had been mentioned, last time I ran on Moffat Modelers club, that I needed to try a throttle/command station reset? Didn't see anything, when looking through the command station manual. DCS100. On medical LOA,so I'm off work until June 4. Unless STD insurance papers are completed and mailed Wednesday, I don't get disability benefits!! Something that I'm paying good money for, in case of a situation like this! Yes, irritating as all get up, but I figure a way to play. The UT throttle help!! Anyway, I'll check a couple of things and see what I come up with. Information appreciated. Thanks.
The DT300 is almost certainly the capacitor issue. There are a couple of things that you can do to get a little more life out of the throttle. If you have "Key and Knob Click" turned on, turning it off will help. Also, if you connect the throttle to Loconet, but without Railsync power and have a battery in the throttle, it may work(one way to do this is to connect a UP5 to Loconet using a four wire cable and plug the DT300 into the UP5). Regardless, the capacitor will continue to degrade and I suggest you contact Digitrax about getting it fixed while they are still repairing them. I have a theory regarding the DT400R's: Do you have the DT300 plugged in when you plug in one of the DT400R'? It also sounds like you do not have any additional power for Loconet and are just using Railsync for power. If both of these are true, the capcitor issue could also be causing the DT400R issues. The temporary drop in Railsync power when you plug in the DT400R could cause the DT300 to reset, causing an additional drop in power and interfering with the communication between the DT400R and the UR91.
I had the same type of problem with my DT300. Both cutting out and dropping it. I sent it back to Digitrax for repairs. Not sure what they did to it but it works. I did ask them to replace the straight cord with a curly cord like on my utility throttles, while they had it at my expense (price of repair with new cord was as listed for the DT300 on their website). The curly cord now helps to keep it from hitting the floor. Regards, Gary
The DT300 only drops maybe 24" at best, and onto a carpeted surface. Not sure if that might make a difference or not. Still need to check it though. And right now, outta work for a while yet , I do NOT have the money available to ship items back for repair, cost of repair and return postage. Have up to 5 1/2 weeks to look into it! Gives me a couple of things to look into right now though.
