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Decoder failure

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4.7K views 17 replies 7 participants last post by  Richard Johnson  
#1 ·
Has anyone any thoughts on why my decoder (above) does not respond with my Hornby elite controller
 
#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
You will have to do the diagnostics, so here's what I do when presented with a DCC fitted loco that 'doesn't respond'. I'll assume in what
follows that you done the basics of ensuring that DCC track power is reaching the decoder terminals, if not, loco body off and start there!
If on taking the body off there's a nasty pong of crisped electronic components, then you know where you are at. No resolution? Then:

Put it on programme track and attempt to read the address. If that proves possible and you have the expected address, try on DCC
power. If it works normally you are all done. (Seen this several times over the years.)

If not, try a decoder reset. (May need more than one go to get to address 03.) Alter address to what you want (and alter any other
settings to taste) and test on DCC power. (That usually fixes it, I have 'recovered' any number of apparently failed decoders this way.)

Still no go? Remove decoder, install blanking plate, test on DC (use a 9V PP9 battery if you don't have a DC controller) to see if the loco
runs when the motor gets power. If it does, install a different decoder, test install on programme track, and see if it runs on DCC (It will.)

If it won't run on DC, then check the circuit from the socket to the motor, and the motor alone.

Don't chuck the decoder just yet. If there is no visible evidence of damage to the decoder, try a few more resets. I have several decoders
still working as well as ever they did, needing several reset attempts, until one 'took'. (Great advice from a German retailer early in my
DCC experience - he said it made him very popular with his customers!)

Good luck.
 
#4 ·
I have tried to programme the decoder perhaps 20 or so times and no luck. I have been informed that my Hornby Elite controller may not work for the decoder. Is this the case, where the Elite will only programme Hornby decoders?
 
#8 ·
QUOTE (John Day @ 7 Jan 2020, 02:37) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>what is the favoured controller?
As hoonsou mentioned, "opening a can of worms". Characteristically everyone will pitch for the one they own/chose. It's human frailty/ego/nature.

I'm hardly any different. I own PowerCab and PowerCab Pro/Wireless, plus a couple of basic Hornby Selects I inherited with train sets a decade ago.

Personally I favoured then and still favour NCE or Lenz, and I'd seriously reconsider ESU today if my budget and need extended to it, although being a fan of KISS particularly when it comes to control ergonomics, I'd probably still stick with NCE. Depends upon how sophisticated and 'axe' you want.

And my preferences aren't to suggest many alternative options aren't just fine. Those are just my preferences.
 
#9 ·
QUOTE (John Day @ 7 Jan 2020, 03:37) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Since you mention it, what is the favoured controller?

I have an NCE Power cab pro/wireless, a Lenz 100 and a Hornby Elite.

Out of all of them, I prefer the NCE. Prior to ESU, it was the best 'user interface' available, easy to use, on screen prompts etc. None of this press one button multiple times to make other buttons operate in different modes nonsense (like old VCR controls) that you get with Lenz (LH90 throttles, but 100 throttle only marginally better). Having said that, Lenz is very reliable.
 
#10 ·
I actually said "programming device" - where I think the Sprog is better than most options for a variety of reasons.

However, "controller" or "control system" is another can-of-worms. Lots of personal preference, and unfortunately, many system designs haven't moved on in nearly 20 years. Starting out now, I'd probably point people at a RocoZ21 as being more flexible, and working with more handsets and devices than most other makers. If wanting a conventional handset, rather than a computer/phone, add the MultiMaus when getting the Z21. There are others though, both cheaper and more expensive.

btw. for Graham, the new Lenz LH101 is a considerably advance on the LH90 and LH100. If you're still using the Lenz system, give thought to getting the handsets upgraded, particularly the LH90's. There was a trade-in price, though I believe that's currently suspended (perhaps over-demand as people realise how much better the new handset is !).
 
#11 ·
I splashed out on a 101 and find it really nice. A lovely smooth rotary control knob and a back light on the display, but you can't really use it in the dark because the buttons aren't lit
Image
They are smooth so you can't go by feel.
 
#12 ·
QUOTE (Nigel2001 @ 9 Jan 2020, 06:01) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>btw. for Graham, the new Lenz LH101 is a considerably advance on the LH90 and LH100. If you're still using the Lenz system, give thought to getting the handsets upgraded, particularly the LH90's. There was a trade-in price, though I believe that's currently suspended (perhaps over-demand as people realise how much better the new handset is !).

Thanks Nigel, I might check that out, although it isn't a high priority as my Lenz system is only used on my 'workbench' test track. The NCE system runs the layout which is what really counts!
 
#15 ·
*** I would love to help but without knowing the process you used and the steps you took, plus what you entered as the number, it really isn't possible.

regards, Richard
 
#16 ·
Richard,

I us3d the Hornby elite programmer and followed the manual entering 0005, using the programming track. Then I placed the diesel on the main track, selected 0005 and turned up the voltage controller. nothing happened
 
#18 ·
*** The likely problem is leading zeros.

Loco 5 should just be entered as 5, not 0005. Zero has a value in digital, so it is likey you told the decoder it now has a long address (0005), but are entering a short address (5) to drive it.

try doing the addressing again but do not add any zeros at any time.

regards, Richard