Command Engine only runs at full speed

Yep, I had a SD -40T desert storm engine that did the same thing... opened it up and the magnet shattered on the flywheel ring and also shorted across the motor driver board... argh

First check the ring around the flywheel. Is it intact?

read this post. Gunrunner John has this fix down pat:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...76#27897396823941976

It can be the flywheel magnet (most common), wiring, or the DCDS motor driver board.  First step is to remote the boiler shell and inspect the flywheel magnet and encoder.  I'm pretty sure you can still get the motors with the encoder and flywheel magnet.  If it's not the motor or wiring, it may be the DCDS board.  In that case, I install the ERR Cruise Commander M, it's no more expensive than the DCDS, and it also gives you 100 step speed control and smoother performance.

Motors come up unavailable, but the magnet and the encoder ring are available.   G

Thanks for the reply guys. I did not think of the magnet/fly wheel issue as I have not heard anything bouncing around inside.

I will check that but if everything seems fine I will go the Cruise Commander M route.

Is the Cruise Commander M and direct (plug and play) replacement for the OEM Motor Driver Board or will some soldering be necessary?

Thanks again.

Charlie

It's somewhat of a PITA to get the encoder on as you have to remove the flywheel.

Thanks GRJ, I guess I'm not following.

If the OEM Motor Driver board is bad, can the cruise commander m board be directly swapped out? I am assuming the board AND the fly wheel are not bad at the same time.

If it is just the board, then I can just leave the fly wheel/encoder alone? is this correct?

Thanks.

Charlie

Charlie, there is some soldering, and a bit more for Odyssey installations.  You can swap out the board and leave the flywheel, magnet, etc.

Thank you, that helps. I will take a closer look at the inside this evening to make sure the fly wheel/encoder are not faulty.

Charlie

I have replaced several of those boards for customers when I worked at the hobby shop.   Not that hard of a swap.

Hey Mike, thanks for the reply.

I actually already ordered an ERR replacement board, hoping to have it before Trainfest, but as this is Thursday I suspect I will not have the board in time.

I assume you will again be at your booth with "OO" set?

Talk to tomorrow.

Charlie