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I tried to run my Genesis Big Boy and My Broadway M1a with a digitrax zephyr but everytime I placed either one of the trains on the track the track status light would start blinking on and off green and the LED read out goes blank. Before I place either of the locos on the track I make sure the the track status light is orange and the loco address is either 03 for DCC or 00 for DC analog. I tried running both locos in both modes but got the same problem. I tried leaving the loco on the track and then plugging the Zephyr in but basically the same problem. Also the LED read out starts blinking all kinds of things when I do that and then goes out with the track status light blinking green again. Has anyone had this problem with the Zephyr?
Update:
Well this is interesting. With a larger track I can now run 2 locomotives with the Zephyr. It still shorts at power up but I can clear the short and then place a second train on the track with no problems. I run both trains with no problems. Maybe with more track there isn't as much current draw?
I'm not sure what a turnout or reverse loop is. I have a simple oval track layout and I place the locos directly on the track. I have the wires from track A and track B on the digitrax going to the track.
Then we are down to the track or the engines. Can you disconnect all the track except what the engines need (1-2 pieces)? Then test again. I take it you are assuming the locos are programmed to 3?
Then we are down to the track or the engines. Can you disconnect all the track except what the engines need (1-2 pieces)? Then test again. I take it you are assuming the locos are programmed to 3?
Yes I tried that. I placed the big boy on just the track section that was connected to the digitrax with the same result. The big boy is defaulted to 03 as stated in the manual. I tried setting the digtrax to 03 for DCC and 00 for DC but neither loco would not run on either setting. I have to mention that the big boy did start up and run on the digitrax 03 setting just briefly at one point after I left it on the track and pluged the digtrax in. I don't know what I did but was never able to repeat and this was with the throttle at zero. The M1a does not have a DCC decoder so I have to set the digtrax to 00. But it won't do anything either but make a faint whining sound.
You may have two different issues. On the other forum I asked you to short the track with a screwdriver and see if you get the same error. Have you done that?
The whirring sound is normal for a DC engine on DC. DCC is alternating current (or close) and what you are hearing is the DC engine trying to cycle back and forth. You should never leave a DC engine on a track unless it is running. It will overheat.
Some engines have a manual jumper to switch from DCC to DC. Does the Big Boy switch using a jumper?
You may have two different issues. On the other forum I asked you to short the track with a screwdriver and see if you get the same error. Have you done that?
The whirring sound is normal for a DC engine on DC. DCC is alternating current (or close) and what you are hearing is the DC engine trying to cycle back and forth. You should never leave a DC engine on a track unless it is running. It will overheat.
Some engines have a manual jumper to switch from DCC to DC. Does the Big Boy switch using a jumper?
I havn't tried the screw driver trick yet because I'm at work right now supose to be working I think the BB has an auto detect for DC and DCC but I would have to read the manual again to confirm that.
I think the BB has an auto detect for DC and DCC but I would have to read the manual again to confirm that.