Hello-- I have a couple of N-scale ER sharknose locos (A and B units) with Digitrax DN141IP drop-in decoders. At low speeds, the engines have a bad case of the herky-jerkies. When I apply more power, they run smoothly. I have changed every CV hoping that would help. Nope. I tried the decoders on brand new chassis. The same result. When I reinstalled the original circuit boards and ran them under DC, they ran as smooth as silk at all speeds. I realize this decoder has been discontinued. May be I know why. I've checked several websites, including Digitrax's and found nothing about these decoders or issues with them. Has anyone had experience with these? I need your help. Thanks, Steve Williams
Try resetting the decoder CV8=8. You can also try changing CV2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 55, 56, & 57 = 0. See if that doesn't smooth things out for you. Rich
Just curious, but did either of you have a little problem installing the decoders? I just put two "new"(unopened decoders from a friend that never used them) in our sharks and found the mounting holes didn't line up with the frames. One was off just enough the screw wouldn't go in; the other nearly half a diameter. Since I don't expect to ever do this again, I didn't check-just corrected it; but I expect the irregularity was in the frames, not the decoder boards... Unfortunately, we've no dcc at home, so won't have a chance to try them out 'till our club sets up next show. Bit concerned now, as we also were lucky enough to get the silent, "silky smooth" running Sharks too. Jim R.
Its my understanding that two runs were made. The first by ER Models and then the second by I believe was Bachmann. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Digitrax made the decoder when the ER Models version was released. At the time, the decoders weren't big sellers. Digitrax discontinued them becausethey had hundreds sitting on their shelves taking up valuable space. The newer run might have a change by the factory and that might be the reason for them not fitting. When I had my Sharks, the decoders went right in with no problems that I remember. Rich
Rich: My understanding is they were made by kader/bachmann under contract for E-R, and the remaining stock was sold off by bachmann after E-R closed shop. Of course I wouldn't be surprised to find they made another run too... In any case, ours are the originals; bought when they were first released by E-R. Interestingly, while neither fit correctly, the fit was different between the A and B units. If I remember correctly, those decoders cost as much as the street price of the locos themselves, so I'm not surprised they didn't sell like hotcakes. Jim R.
