Does the command station have different output settings? I use Digitrax and it has a switch for N, HO or O/G and leave it on the HO setting. I've had lots of derailments/shorts in the 20+ years I've been using it but no problems like you describe. If it's a short related to a derailment, the decoder shouldn't see the current, it would be flowing through the derailed wheel. What are the engines in question, you said they were new Genesis but didn't say what model? Have they been collecting dust or hair on the axles and slowly increasing the amount of current they need to move? That could also explain the circuit breaker issue if it was set to just above the current needed when they were brand new.
I checked the manual for my smart booster/command station, it says "track voltage setting" can be set to 12 or 13.8 volts. I took a look and it was set to 12 volts. I've been under the impression that there should be about 14 volts going to the track and seem to remember setting it accordingly when I set up the smart booster. Perhaps it got changed inadvertently. Could this, in whole or in part, be causing my problems?
I've also been looking into bus line sizes. I use 14 awg for my main bus line because I planned that it wouldn't be more than 40'. I haven't measured the bus line but it's very possible it ended up being longer than that. Should I be using 12 awg? Could that be part of the problem?
The engines: Athearn Genesis ATHG83115 ES44DC
Athearn Genesis ATHG65256 SD60E
Both with Tsunami 2 decoders.
What do you think about both engines being on the layout when one ran into an electrofrog turnout not properly aligned causing a short? The circuit breakers were removed at the time while I was trouble shooting (I thought the breakers were tripping when they shouldn't be, maybe this had something to do with the booster set at 12 volts). The short was present for at least a few seconds until I could flick the points.
The engines are both only months old and I don't think accumulated dust is the problem.
Thanks for your reply, I appreciate the help!
Paul
Last edited: