Kato FEF 3DCC - Jack Rabbit Starts and need for " Reboot"

Hi all,

I have a UP 844 FEF3 that came with DCC installed. I have been having some issues running it on my Digitraxx Empire Builder system. First-off when I power the system up and turn on power to the track, the engine jerks forward about a foot on the track. I also have an issue where the engine will just die and be unresponsive on the track. Nothing works until I lift the engine completely off the track and replace it, almost like I had to reboot it. Any ideas? bad decoder?

Thanks,

Kevin

 

I can address one of your concerns.

I've encountered the power up/go forward problem on my Digitrax system. I recently switched from DB 150 to DCS 200. The locos that do this (my offenders have TCS decoders) do it to a lesser extent with the DCS 200, but they still do it. When I built the layout, I installed a DPDT power switch between the command station and the track output wires to switch over to a separate test/programming track when I used the DB 150.

I've learned to power up the system with the toggle set to "Off". After a second or so, I flip the toggle to "on" to avoid the problem. It's kind of a stupid workaround, and I would love to hear from others who know how to solve this.

Your other issue might be a bad decoder, but it might be dirty track, or perhaps a power interruption due to bad contact between the decoder and incoming power. I have had situations that required me to power the system down and back up to get a decoder talking again.

 

I have had the problem with the locos jumping at power on and power off with my Digitrax Zephyr system. I eliminated it by turning off the analog option in the decoders.

Harold

 

I have a Digitrax DCS100 system and have over 100 TCS decoders in different locos and have never had a jumping at start up problem?

 

Kevin:

Send the decoder back to TCS. They will re-program the decoder for you to the correct values that will work with the Kato FEF coreless motor.


Shades