I had a quick short on the track one time that caused basically the same problem. I had two dcc steam locomotives running at slow speed and both took off both have soundtraxx tsunami 2 decoders . The short just happened for a split second. The short was at one of the switches a set of metal wheels were out of gauge and caused a fast short . I run a digitrax zephyr dcs52 I don't think it even beeped when the short happened.
Very weird situation, Kyle. I have a couple units which, every now and then just elect to start up and roll on their own, and another that will suddenly blow its horn until I shut it off. Hope you can figure it out! Gorgeous locos, though!
I’m still learning about DCC, but strange things do seem to happen. I’ve shorted out my track, with a coupler height gauge, and that trigger one of locomotives to come on and move. I would keep a note pad, and right down all the conditions that lead up this. Then if it happens again, see if there are things in common.
I would look for an external cause. a power disruption could be the cause, surges, brownout, or line noise. I'd suggest something like a TrippLite Isobar Ultra, that will handle surges and line noise. Or go for a UPS to protect against power drops outs also. again TrippLite is the only brand of power protection I recommend. Another possible cause could be RF (radio) interference caused by ham or CB radios transmitting, Some of those guys use insane levels of power and don't care who it interferes with.
Disable DC/Analog in locos. Sounds like a DC Runaway. DCC Glitches and DC takes over. Have experienced it multiple times. Then find DC was Enabled in Loco.
I agree with this guess. If DC is enabled in the decoder and a DCC signal is lost the locos go into DC mode and since the DCC track is powered with 12-14 volts that puts the DC operation almost or just at full speed.
It does sound like it may have been a short on the track somewhere mate. Shorts cause high current spikes in the rails and tend to send stuff loopy and depending on what the overload protection of your DCC controller is, could be quite a few amps before the controller shuts off the power.
Errant signals are something you deal with when using DCC, unfortunately. Since it was all five locomotives at once, my best guess would be the controller. If it was the decoder, it would happen to one or maybe two of the locomotives. The controller could have experienced a quick short or something similar which caused it to send a bad command to all of the locomotives. If it continues, you may have to it repaired or replaced.
Is it something in the consisting? Weird...never seen that happen before but then I don't really consist much as there's not much of that happens on the UK scene. Maybe one for Mr Pucket!!
sound like a spike on the track can cause spurious siganls with voltage spike, I would get some dcc bus spike suppressors if you`ve got no protection on track as it can blow the chips
I agree with others just a gremlin. Almost every time I run . Something random in the programing will trigger. One off thing or if it continues to reboot the DCC.
not sure whats up. HOWEVER. I had that happen with 2 units sitting at the engine house. they took off for no reason. all my storage trcks are now on a toggle switch
Set CV29 to 34 or 35, that will turn off anolog mode for dc. 34 is for normal foward running and 35 is for normal reverse. it sounds like you either have a minor short somewhere or a glich in the DCC signal .. so try changing cv29 and see if that helps
if you get a short or spike it will go to analog mode and go full speed with no control from the throttle, and you have to shut everything down, when you turn it back on it will go back to dcc until a short happens again
I had a quick short on the track one time that caused basically the same problem. I had two dcc steam locomotives running at slow speed and both took off both have soundtraxx tsunami 2 decoders . The short just happened for a split second. The short was at one of the switches a set of metal wheels were out of gauge and caused a fast short . I run a digitrax zephyr dcs52 I don't think it even beeped when the short happened.
Very weird situation, Kyle. I have a couple units which, every now and then just elect to start up and roll on their own, and another that will suddenly blow its horn until I shut it off. Hope you can figure it out! Gorgeous locos, though!
I’m still learning about DCC, but strange things do seem to happen. I’ve shorted out my track, with a coupler height gauge, and that trigger one of locomotives to come on and move. I would keep a note pad, and right down all the conditions that lead up this. Then if it happens again, see if there are things in common.
Sounds like the grimlins are back!😂 that's crazy. I haven't a clue. But I'm interested in the issue.🤔🫵👍✌️
Sorry about your problems, but man do those chessie units look great! Thanks for sharing kyle!
It has happened to me a few times. Typically when a short occurs.
I would look for an external cause. a power disruption could be the cause, surges, brownout, or line noise. I'd suggest something like a TrippLite Isobar Ultra, that will handle surges and line noise. Or go for a UPS to protect against power drops outs also. again TrippLite is the only brand of power protection I recommend.
Another possible cause could be RF (radio) interference caused by ham or CB radios transmitting, Some of those guys use insane levels of power and don't care who it interferes with.
This sounds the most probable to me. But I'm a DC guy. Sounds right, Kyle. 🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲🙋
Disable DC/Analog in locos. Sounds like a DC Runaway. DCC Glitches and DC takes over. Have experienced it multiple times. Then find DC was Enabled in Loco.
I agree with this guess. If DC is enabled in the decoder and a DCC signal is lost the locos go into DC mode and since the DCC track is powered with 12-14 volts that puts the DC operation almost or just at full speed.
Gremlins little green Gremlins
or witchcraft
Very strange electical gremlin there Kyle hope you sort take care.
It does sound like it may have been a short on the track somewhere mate. Shorts cause high current spikes in the rails and tend to send stuff loopy and depending on what the overload protection of your DCC controller is, could be quite a few amps before the controller shuts off the power.
never heard of that Kyle. good luck man.
Electronica gremlins strike without notice 👍🏻
Errant signals are something you deal with when using DCC, unfortunately. Since it was all five locomotives at once, my best guess would be the controller. If it was the decoder, it would happen to one or maybe two of the locomotives. The controller could have experienced a quick short or something similar which caused it to send a bad command to all of the locomotives. If it continues, you may have to it repaired or replaced.
Is it something in the consisting? Weird...never seen that happen before but then I don't really consist much as there's not much of that happens on the UK scene. Maybe one for Mr Pucket!!
Larry Puckett has commented that when things start going weird on your DCC layout you might want to put snubbers on both ends of your DCC buss.
What do you mean by snubbers? Please explain.
sound like a spike on the track can cause spurious siganls with voltage spike, I would get some dcc bus spike suppressors if you`ve got no protection on track as it can blow the chips
I agree with others just a gremlin. Almost every time I run . Something random in the programing will trigger. One off thing or if it continues to reboot the DCC.
I had that problem at one time. Turned out to be a short in the loco net
Sorry Kyle. I run nce. But could have it been a surge in power that effected the decoders ?
not sure whats up. HOWEVER. I had that happen with 2 units sitting at the engine house. they took off for no reason. all my storage trcks are now on a toggle switch
Layout gremlins! -Jenny
Set CV29 to 34 or 35, that will turn off anolog mode for dc. 34 is for normal foward running and 35 is for normal reverse. it sounds like you either have a minor short somewhere or a glich in the DCC signal .. so try changing cv29 and see if that helps
if you get a short or spike it will go to analog mode and go full speed with no control from the throttle, and you have to shut everything down, when you turn it back on it will go back to dcc until a short happens again
Hiya Kyle I'm sorry i can offer no help but it sounds like a job for the rail crash investigations bereau
I think you mean bizarre...
Wish I could help you but I'm NCE. Maybe talk to Jason.
Ugh 😩, hope it doesn't happen again, I hate gremlins
Sorry I'm dc....have no clue...definitely weird....
How bazaar how bazaar how bazaar lol what a tune
Sorry am no help am dc