Decoder Burned On Brand-New Engine | Walthers Review Update
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 พ.ย. 2023
- #trains #modeltrains #modelrailroad
Did I speak to soon in my review of the new MKT SW1200s switch engines by Walthers? When the units wre released, I gave the models a great view for their smooth operation, great sound, and intricate details. In my first ever "review revision" I talk about how the ESU LokSound 5 decoder in of my new units burned up and temporarily shorted out my layout.
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Question of the day: What is your favorite decoder brand, and why? This SW1200 was one of three ESU equipped units I have; the rest are Tsunami and TCS.
ESU Loksound 5. Most of their features are unmatched compared to the rest of the industry
@@CentralJerseyRailfanyest they are but esu is also much more complicated to figure out
Soundtraxx Tsunami 2 (please do not be confused with Tsunami as Tsunami 2 replaced Tsunami) as you don't need a special programmer to have the prototypical sounds for the prototype nor have to spend the long amount of time waiting for the custom sound files to download unless you want music on your locomotive. One thing about a lot of the locomotives that have ESU main boards in them, ESU didn't make them fully compatible with other brand of decoders therefore you have to replace the main board with a decoder buddy. I had 3 ESU decoders from manufacturer locomotives smoke on me and stuck Tsunami 2 and Blunami (Tsunami 2 w/ building in Bluetooth) in them and haven't had any issues since. Also Soundtraxx has the Tsunami Soundcar that can be added to your rolling stock and easily consisted with the Tsunami 2/Blunami decoders. I did a video on that several months ago.
@@TheTrainFreak Scaletrains is the only brand I can think of that requires the replacement of the 21 pin factory board at least on HO. in N scale the factory Next18 boards are fine
@@CentralJerseyRailfan you are most likely correct with it only affecting one brand or one brand was brought to the attention of the NMRA. The ones that smoked in mine were two Intermountain and one Walthers locomotives.
Sorry to see your SW1200's have to go back for repair. I had an issue with a brand new Atlas with Loksound, sent it back in for repair, they let it set in their warehouse for 6 weeks before telling me that it had gotten damaged in shipping.. Unfortunately after so long USPS was unwilling to pay my insurance claim so basically Atlas screwed me out of over $200. Hope you have a better experience with Walthers.
Hi, Shane. Yikes…sorry to hear about your experience. That has to be frustrating. Walthers has been good to work with so far. I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted! -Mike
Mike sorry this happened to you 😢hopefully Walthers gets you fixed up pretty quick
Hi! Thank you…Walthers has been very responsive and good to work with so far. Their quick replies and working to get it fixed has been encouraging! -Mike
Sorry for the problems. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, John! It sounds like Walthers is going to fix it and take care of things. I’ll be glad to have them back good as new. -Mike
It’s an ESU/Loksound problem. I pre-ordered/purchased an HO Scale AC4400 from ScaleTrains, within 1st hour of run time, half the lights stopped working, but continued to run and operate normally. ScaleTrains sent shipping label to send back and sent replacement. 2nd loco ran fine for 4 days until it experienced same issue as yours and even melted shell above decoder, sent that one back and ScaleTrains sent 3rd loco. I monitored the 3rd loco extensively while running with an infrared laser thermometer and gradually added rolling stock for weight. Ran perfectly for 25 hrs of documented run times, then had same issue as first one. ScaleTrains indicated it’s and issue with the decoder or the motherboard the decoder plugs into. The 3rd loco is at ScaleTrains undergoing surgery to replace motherboard and decoder. After the first 2 had issues, I suspected a bad batch of decoders. I have an ES44AC from ScaleTrains that runs flawlessly
Hello! Wow...it sounds like you had quite a fiasco as well. I got my units sent off to Walthers for the repairs. I'm crossing my fingers the repairs do the truck and I don't have another meltdown! This is the biggest issue I've ever encountered with any new locomotive. I understand sometimes things happen, and I am glad they're making it right! -Mike
@@MainTrack Over the past few days/weeks it has become quite the discussion on ESU forums. A lot of decoders are failing during programming with a LokProgrammer. I too have other locos with ESU and this is the first problem, so I'm giving them a chance to make it right.
Thanks for sharing the information on your switcher. Do you have any information from Walthers about correcting the issue and/or offering to take care of locomotive decoders that have failed or have caused damage to the rest of the locomotive itself?
Hi! I contacted Walthers customer service at 1 800 4 TRAINS and they sent me a return label. They asked some simple questions- like what the problem is and where I purchased them. It was a quick and easy process. I’ve been told the issue isn’t just the Katy version, and some other batches of road names also had problems. I’ll keep everyone posted. While I try to be honest in my reviews, I will be the first to update everyone when a company fixes a problem. Unfortunately, sometimes quality issues happen. Do you have some of these units, too? -Mike
I was thinking of purchasing one myself and was waiting to see how well the issues were being addressed. Appears they are acting promptly to help customers. That’s a good thing for the hobby.
Our club members have had several esu decoders fail. By the looks it seems to be more of the factory equiped models
Hi! It's frustrating when that happens. I've had pretty good luck until these units. I just recently got them back from Walthers. I am looking forward to firing them up. I took my layout down for a move to a new house (with a bigger basement and more layout space!). I'm working on an update video and I'll keep everyone posted! -Mike
Walthers ESU are "budget" decoders, like the eco-nami's. And yes the portion that powers the motor often fries on these ones !
These do not have the budget" decoders
@@fwwr1500 oh no !!!! My Gevo has the budget ESU , so when it died I swapped for a real Loksound5
That’s true for only the Mainline models. The Proto stuff uses full V5
I’m looking forward to getting them fixed and back on the layout. Some other guys have simply replaced their decoders. I don’t have any extras lying around. And, after paying the price we did for these, I wouldn’t want to have to drop an additional $100 for a new decoder. We will see how the repairs turn out! -Mike
I burned out a decoder in my intermountain locomotive........but I think it was my fault. Lol. It was a dcc decoder and I ran it on my dc layout. After it stopped running I read on the package that it wasn't recommended to run on dc. 😅. $10.00 later I got a dc board from them and it runs perfectly. Lol. I'm very happy with their help. One day I will tackle dcc 😮. I'm just not ready yet. Lol
Hi! Well, $10 for a fix isn’t too bad! Electronics can indeed be finicky. When I made the switch to DCC a few years back, there was definitely a learning curve. It’s certainly not as easy as plug and play. I’m glad I made the switch- minus these times decoders burn up on me! Ha. -Mike
Sorry that happen to u Mike I had that happen to my athearn ready roll gp38-2 in the union pacific
Hi, Taylor! That’s unfortunate to hear. Were you able to get it repaired or replaced?
@@MainTrack well not exactly Mike I have get sound boards and their old athearn ready roll I have had them for close 7 years but I am getting running again soon
Cool layout
I appreciate that. Thank you for watching!-Mike
While its unfortunate that the decoder burned up, atleast Walthers is doing the right thing and fixing them.
My SW1200s are still setting in a box unopened. I wonder if they'll preemptively fix them for me
Hi! Yes, unfortunately I knew exactly what was happening pretty quickly- based on other stories I’ve heard about them. Things happen, though. Walthers has been great and they’re working it out. I appreciate they’re having me send in #3 as well- just to be on the safe side. As I mentioned- these are otherwise pretty great units. But…that decoder thing is kind of important, though! Ha. -Mike
i would contact walthers on the issue there typically good at fixing that stuff or at least replacing the broken one
Hi! Yes, I have contacted Walthers and they’ve been very helpful. I’ll be sending these off for repairs and look forward to getting them back in good order. -Mike
Hey Mike , that sucks , but if walthers is looking after you and going to replace both borads in the locomotives it like anything electronic these days , you can have a bad batch .
However it definitely doesn't do anything for your confidence in the brand , after I seen your original video on these I was going to purchase two , but held off ... looks like I dodged a bullet there maybe.
Make sure to keep us informed , as they do look amazing and sounded great too , before locomotion heaven.... Cheers , here's to walthers getting them back to you soon .
Hi, Sammy. Yes, that’s true- when delicate electronics are involved, things do happen. I know Walthers is a great company, and has been making sure we get this hiccup taken care of…I’m making sure to relay that to everyone. When they work, these things are fantastic little units! I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted. -Mike
@@MainTrack Cheers Mike .... looking forward to the next update on the layout.... take care.
Mike, lok sound has some decoader issues with there new boards with there version of keep alive, if I were you I'd get tsunami2 installed alot easier to work with and they sound 100 times better than any lok sound. Andy
Hi, Andrew! I’ve heard of some other guys popping in Tsunami2 boards. I do like those, and most of the other engines on the layout have them. I have always run the two switchers together, so I don’t know if they “play well” with units containing other decoders. We will see how the repairs go! -Mike
hello main track trains & it's is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks main track trains friends randy
Hi, Randy! We appreciate you! Thanks for watching. -Mike
There is no question, that when the factory smoke comes out of any unit, the burnt smell will continue for sometime... Sorry to see this happen... Keep on keeping on...
Hi, Daryl. Yes, I figure that putrid burnt electrical smell will take a while to fade! I’m shipping them back to Walthers this week and have been encouraged but their quick responsiveness and willingness to get things worked out. -Mike
Yet another reason to stay with tried and true DC. I make my own sound effects.
That’s one way! I have had great luck with DCC over the years and figure this is an unfortunate fluke. DC is definitely a little easier to set up! -Mike
I've had two actually catch fire!!!! I stuck with DC just because of that 😂. The were NCE decoders from years ago, but made the decision easy.
Hi, Thomas! Yikes, fire? That’s not good! Who knows what would have happened if I hadn’t been in layout room when mine melted down. I often leave the layout on during the day when home I’m in and out (though never overnight). I think I’ll watch things even more closely now!
@@MainTrack mine were athearn models with nce decoders. I actually had flames!!
No manufacturer is immune, by brand new $400+ Broadway Limited steamer fried it's decoder on it's 3rd run. Hopefully your locos get fixed and no more trouble.
Hello! That’s true…things are blind to happen with delicate electronics no matter what the brand. Were you able to get your engine repaired or replaced by the manufacturer? It is frustrating when things fail. But, as long as the company makes it right, I’m not going to immediately write them off. -Mike
@@MainTrackYes, it was repaired under warranty.
Didn't you see that Rapido is coming out with GP40's as well? I think we have a better chance of seeing them and sooner too. As far as decoders are concerned I only had one problem with a ESU decoder that was with Rapido SW1200 and they fixed it right away. But I have to admit that since Walthers rebranding the Proto 2000 line. Their QC can be questionable. I have bought several Proto units and every other one had like missing parts (mostly lift rings).
Hi, Jeremy! Yes, I am excited about the Rapido GP40 and preordered mine. It will be well worth the wait. The SW100s were the first Walthers units I’ve purchased in several years, so I don’t have much to compare these too, quality wise. But, it seems more guys have had problems with many of these units than not. It has been a little inconvenient, but I’m glad Walthers is taking care of the problem! -Mike
Per Walthers, it is a motor issue pulling more than 1 amp and that is what is burning up the decoders…
My SW1200 died also
Awaiting Walthers to replace.
That would make sense. Seems odd it happens suddenly after running just fine for months, but electronics can be very finicky things! I was jokingly wondering- is this what I get for running a make/model of a unit on the layout that didn’t run on the real Sedalia Sub? Ha. I’m looking forward to getting them fixed and back to running. -Mike
You need some red MKT engines
Yes, the red is pretty sharp. Unfortunately, with the exception of one switcher, all of Katy’s engines had been repainted from red to green by the time (1987) I’m modeling. If someone comes out with a nice red Katy unit, I may have to snag some for the fun of it! -Mike
I’m hearing these Walthers locomotives are troublesome, I won’t be buying any of them as this is becoming common.
Hi, Rick! Yes, it was pretty frustrating to have it kick the bucket on me. But, both units are on their way back to Walthers right now for repairs/replacement. I’ll let everyone know how it turns out! -Mike