New DCC Install - Not Working Well

[astrocling]

So I decided to start back into model rr again after a decade or so of not doing anything at all. I was quite young when I first did anything, and as an adult am starting new with DCC, new engines and cars. I bought a Zephyr and a DCC Bachman Engine to get started. My layout is 4X16 basically a single loop for right now with a set of turnouts to a passing siding and a turnout into a small two track yard. Mostly flex track, all of my joiners are soldered together. I have feeds on each side of all my turnouts coming from a main buss right off the zephyr running the entire length of the table. 14awg on everything. No isolation (the turnouts have frogs isolated) between each feeder drop.

Trains are constantly studdering like they are not getting power the whole time, and I am beginning to get frustrated. Thought I would ask for some help.

I appreciate everything in advance, hope I can get through this.

 

[35tac]

Neww DCC frustrations

First thing I would look at is dirty track and wheels. DCC definately does not like that. Make sure your loco has no other issues relative to constant track contact. Best place to start IMHO.
Wayne

 

[astrocling]

Wayne,

Thanks for the response. I think that last night I might have narrowed it down to dirty wheels. I can't quite get the one set of wheels on the track and the other on an alcohol coated rag to work right, but I seem to have made some pretty big headway last night. I think that I had some rosin left on the track after all my soldering and it gummed up the wheels on the new engine. What was most confusing is that it was a brand new engine.

It still acts a little weird after initially throttling up on it, and I am not sure if that is out of the ordinary, but with the wheels clean I don't have the starting problems I had (wouldn't start at all).

 

[35tac]

New DCC

Glad to hear that there is progress. Some other people will chime in. Details will help such as which loco what DCC system etc. Maybe you can focus on the chronic spots however if there is no pattern, it has to be the loco wheels or maybe even some bad solder joints.
Wayne

 

[Iron Horseman]

I think that I had some rosin left on the track after all my soldering and it gummed up the wheels on the new engine.

Yet another reason I am against soldering all rail joiners.

What was most confusing is that it was a brand new engine.

Sometimes brand new locomotives come from the factory with a light coating of oil on the wheels.

It still acts a little weird after initially throttling up on it, and I am not sure if that is out of the ordinary, but with the wheels clean I don't have the starting problems I had (wouldn't start at all).

I purchased my first Bachmann DCC equipped locomotive recently and am expecting it to show up in the mail on Monday. I'll get it going and see if it exhibits any of the weirdness you are describing.