Need help with two engines with DCS issues

Well, whenever I have a problem I always try the cheap fixes first, making sure battery is fully charged. Then I would try a reset to factory defaults, for starters.

I'm sure the more knowledgeable folks will chime in to address the more complex issues....

Neal,

The other is an Premier SD-70MAC 20-2711-1.  Within a minute or two of reaching 25 MPH or more, the sound cuts out, and does not come back until you drop the speed back down below 25

The one's easy - turn off Clickity-Clack: Menu/Sound/Clickity-Clack, press soft key "OFF" and press the thumbwheel.

Barry,

Thanks for the suggestion.  I think my son already tried that without success, but I will give it another shot..there is no clickity clack however when the sound goes out, though I guess it's possible that the clickity clack volume is turned down.

Gunner John,

I have been told that as well, and you are probably right.  I'll take a close look at the tether, but I admit, I detest taking these engines apart.  would rather pay someone else to do it.

FYI, I did try recharging both batteries, though these units are old enough so that the battery may not be holding a charge.

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions!

Since the Decapod is over 10 years old, I'd for sure replace that battery!  I'd do that and charge the new one fully, then see what happens.  If it has the old white battery, 99% sure it'd bad.

How about a BCR?  I have a bunch of them

Neal,

Your engine looks to be a few years old, and I remember that there was an early SD70 series sound set in which, through an apparent oversight, no clickety-clack sounds were included in the sound file. So when the feature was engaged, the engine went silent. I think I have a first run SD70ACe that behaves that way.

I think MTH released a second sound file to correct there error, and in any event, there are a few PS2 SD70 and SD70 ACe sound sets that could be downloaded as a replacement. (I don't use the feature and never worried about it).

RM

and with DCS 4.3, clickity clack is turned on by default.

wouldn't the first engine's tether be suspect? I'm thinking the board's in the tender but maybe not?

http://mthtrains.com/content/20-3117-1

These are all good suggestions, and I may get up the guts to open up the engine before sending it out for repair.

Many of the steamers have the PS/2 boards in the locomotive.  The last few I've had to replace the 5V board with a 3V board have all been in the locomotive and not the tender.

Neal,  I believe your board is in tender also.  Where ever smoke switch is, is where the board is.

If your not comfortable testing I can do this for you.  The tach issues when board in tender require several checks.  For the engine, tach reader wiring and tach tape appearance.  In the tender, checking harness continuity for tach reader.  At that point if all is good you need to test board in a tester to see if the board is good.  If so, the tach reader gets replaced.

E-mail in profile.  G

Here's an update on my situation...

With regard to the SD-70, I once again tried turning off the clickety clack.  I had no success with the engine sitting still, but I did it with it in motion, and it worked!  I have no idea why.  I'm gonna test it a few more times and make sure it stays fixed.

I also worked on the Decapod.  I finally did a feature reset, and that worked.  When I did it, the smoke unit was just billowing out smoke, but now that the engine is running at a controllable speed again, the smoke won't work!!! I tried pushing the smoke button, putting the smoke on max, and still no success.

I do find all of this quite frustrating, and for the life of me, I still don't know why DCS has all of these nuances and complications.  Not to get anyone mad, but my good old plain Jane TMCC doesn't give me a bit of trouble. Well, I like MTH engines, so I'll just keep coming to this forum for help.

 There are some issues with DCS version 4.3. Is that what you're using?

Neal, do the various Decapod lights go on and off upon command with no problem?

Joe,

I believe its 4.10

RJR,

I can get them to come on when I turn on the interior lights

any thoughts on the smoke?

Thanks for your help.

No, there is an issue on some locos with interaction among smoke, headlights, marker lights, and interior lights,  but I don't think it occurred under 4.1.

 I'm trying to remember the flaws under 4.1? I believe I used 4.2 much longer.

Does the smoke work in conventional mode?

The Decapod has good speed control?  No issues running at 2-3 MPH?  A feature reset should not have solved this in my opinion.  I have not seen an engine have no speed control that wasn't hardware related.  Doesn't mean it can't happen, but my repairs are on a large sample size.

I still wonder if this is a harness issue.  You could try wiggling the harness while attempting smoke.  I would turn the transform voltage down around 14V incase you get a run away again.

For smoke, turn volume down and listen for fan?  Do you have no fan noise?  We need to isolate to fan, heat or both.  Be careful, if this is no fan but heat is still on as it will burn wick.   G

I agree with everything GGG says.  By the way, I have found in one of my decs it was not the tether, but loose solder joints to the circuit board of the ten pin plug in the loco. Depending on how the tether was applying force, the contact would be good or not

I lost sounds on my Alco S-2 when firing it up last month. It was fine during a previous operation.

Figured it was time to replace the battery with BCR caps.

After trying all the tricks to restore the diesel, the sound file must have been lost as sounds never came back on.

Could be a bad speaker, loose 12 pin connector, or an audio amp failure.  G

To all,

After MUCH work and fooling around, we finally got both engines to work using the techniques described in the preceding paragraphs.  First had to replace the traction tires on the I-1, and finally got the smoke working as well.

I'm glad you guys like DCS so much.  I terms of aesthetics, sound, and smoking ability, there is nothing like an MTH steam engine.  But all these little details, nuances, and tricks needed to get and keep DCS working properly are not my cup of tea at all.

In any case, all you helped me tremendously, and I thank you!!!

Traction tires are of course on all makes of locos.  Interestingly, my Weaver locos (all now PS2) from early 90's still have their original traction tires, while locos of 20 years later vintage have needed replacement and don't seem to bite as well.

RJR,

The traction tire was just a minor annoyance,  What threw me was the fact that this was the first time I had to replace them on an MTH steamer.  I've done them on Lionel engines which is very easy.  It's just that no tool was included with the MTH unit.  I figured I needed a metric nut drive to perform the repair.  I posted the question elsewhere on the forum and my suspicion was confirmed. I picked up the nut driver, and quickly changed the tires. But no, I did not find this to be a major source of frustration as I do with DCS issue.