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Digitrax Control
Doug asks readers:
“I purchased an HO Scale Digitrax DCS 210 with a DT602 Controller. I can’t seem to get my engines to run and was wondering if there was a resource that could help me program in my engines so that I could run them? I know the engine works as when you put it on the track you can hear the motor running.”
8 Responses to Digitrax Control
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Not a DCC guy, but surely, if the motor runs and the loco doesn’t, the problem is mechanical?
Are your engines converted to dcc? If they are only dc you may think the engine is running but is the hum from the ac voltage in dcc track
Hi Doug:
I found this web site that may be helpful?
https://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB869/troubleshooting-guide-for-digitrax-command-station/
1) Are you running locos that are decoder-equipped? If so, and they are new, each loco is probably set to address 0003 by the manufacturer. Using the DT602, try to connect to the loco using that address. If that works, the humming you heard should stop. You can run your loco on address temporarily to see how the various keys on the DT602 work for direction, light functions
etc.
You will want to assign each loco a unique address, so it is recommended that you use the number board. You will need to look at the owner’s manual for how to program your locos with the DCS210.
2) If the loco is analog, meaning it has no decoder, you can still run it using address 0000. Some locos are equipped with dual mode decoders, which have circuitry that defects the kind of layout you have (analog or digital).
3) I hope this helps.
If the locomotive is equipped with a DCC decoder and you address it properly, you can activate the horn if it’s a sound decoder to verify. If it’s not a sound decoder, you should be able to control forward, stop and reverse. On the stop command (speed to 0) the motor should not run. If you hear that the motor starts running when you increase the speed with the controller but the wheels don’t turn then the problem is most likely a split gear.
Any questions on Digitrax refer to the [email protected]. You may have to sign up but those folks have all the answers.
I have had the issue that with all my loco addresses being the road number, If I accidentally have one of those addresses on the main controller and try to run that same address loco on the DT 602, it will act oddly. So I use my DT602D alot and have the main controller on a totally different address. I am running the DCS52 So I basically have my main controller on address 3.
I advise – buy and read a book on basic DCC operation. That will answer all your basic questions and give you an understanding of DCC operation that will enable you to diagnose most problems.