Help! DCC select problems. Train, track or me?!

[TJ N-B]

Been running a simple DC train track for a number of years with 3 trains. 

Uograded recently to DCC select. 2 of my trains aren't DCC ready but can run on 00 (1 at a time]

 1 was DCC ready so it has been chipped. 

track is permanent on a baseboard and has been for a few months now - I was using DC when we created this track.

i got a DCC ready sound loco for Christmas. It started working fine on the track and then stopped after 5 minutes. Shop exchanged it for me.

I then got the R3287 tts. When I placed it on the track it was fine. As soon as I switched the sound function on the train began running round the track at uneven speeds. 

I couldn't stop the train so I cut the power.

i turned the power back on and this time the train was running through the sound functions but it wouldn't let me toggle off.

so I removed the trains and reset the DCC controller.

I tried to re programme the train on a different select function but again it began going around the track at max speed without me setting the controller for it to do this.

I turned it all off again and waited a while. When I tried again with my train on the outside track it's reading OL and when I place it on the inside track the controller just flashes and resets itself once i remove the train.

One of the DC trains I was previously using also does the flashing and resetting now when I try to use it.

the other DC and the DCC ready train (which is now chipped) are working absolutely fine.

I've cleaned all the track and checked all the switches.

Any ideas? Thanks 

[Yelrow]

TJNB, hi, i suspect tour select firmware, is well out of date. What numbers does it show, when you first turn it on. To use all sound functions on TTS,  loco, select needs to be relatively up to date. Hornby upgrade for £15, if you post it to them. john

[TJ N-B]

It shows 12, 30 and then 03. 

[2e0dtoeric]

Despite what the book says, you should NOT run dc loco's on a DCC controller, because even when 'parked', it is getting 16v AC in the motor windings, and they will very quicky burn out, destroying the motor. (You may have heard them buzzing!)

As you now keep getting error messages, this may have already happened!

Regarding the 'runaways' with the TTS, it sounds as though the dc option has been turned on (that is so it will run with a dc controller!) and track noise, a bad connection, or dirt somewhere is making the decoder think it is getting a dc supply, and it is going flat-out!

Clean the wheels, pick-ups and track thoroughly, and not with sandpaper or a file! (It has been done!) Use a proper track rubber, or the pimply side of a bit of hardboard on the track, and Isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud to clean the wheels. (You can get it at Maplins - called switch cleaner!)

[poliss]

Did you change the power track, or power clip, for the DCC version?

[Yelrow]

12, is not latest, as now up to 15, but, that version should be fine. Agreee, never never run dc, on dcc. Licence to  print money for burnt out locos. john

[Chrissaf]

It shows 12, 30 and then 03. 

.

That means that the firmware is version 1.2......you need firmware 1.5 to operate a Hornby TTS loco completely successfully. With 1.2 you won't be able to access any TTS function above F8. Only Hornby can upgrade your Select to Version 1.5. Charge believed to be currently a one off £15 plus your own cost of sending it to them. Contact Hornby Customer Care by phone to arrange.

.

After upgrade, the boot up should read 15, 30 and then 03

.

With a Select controller you won't be able to turn off the locos DC running support as that requires modifying CV29. The Select does not support that. Your local model shop (if they specialise in railways) may be able to do the CV29 modification for you. Or do you know someone with a better quality controller.

.

Just to reiterate the commnet made by Poliss. If you are upgrading from a DC layout to a DCC one then you MUST replace the track power clip for a DCC compatible one or modify the existing one to make it compatible. Review Section 6 of my "Getting Started with Extension Track Pack" guide downloadable from the link of the same name at the top of the forum 'General Section'.

.

PS - The OL display on the Select LCD indicates a 'Short Circuit'. If that OL appears when one specific loco is placed on the track and that specific loco is one without a DCC decoder in it, then probably the motor is permanently damaged. If it is a DCC fitted decoder loco, then the decoder may be damaged too.

 

[Fishmanoz]

TJ, all the advice you have above is good, but if I can just summarise and add a little.

 

To change your layout from DC to DCC, you need to add DCC point clips to all of your points and modify any power tracks or power clips.  Modification is easy, simply flip open the black cover between the rails or connections and clip off the legs of the little squarish capacitor you find in there (usually blue in colour but whatever colour) and throw it away.  They are now DCC and also OK to operate with DC.

 

To operate a TTS loco with all of its functions successfully, return your Select to Hornby for upgrade to firmware v1.5 at the £15 fee.  Contact Customer Care by phone for instructions.  If you only contact them by email, expect a wait before you get a reply.

 

Clean all your track and loco wheels as a first action to stop DCC locos running off at maximum speed, called DC Runaway.  After cleaning, double check your TTS loco still appears to be faulty causing that OL Overload message.

 

Nothing you've done with your TTS loco should have resulted in damage to the decoder.  Return to your supplier for repair or replacement under warranty.

 

Never put your DC locos on a DCC track, sooner or later, it will burn out the motors.

 

Doible check the functioning of your DC locos by putting back on a DC track.  If one is still faulty, it almost certainly needs repair to replace the motor.  Talk to Customer Care about this at same time as the Select upgrade.  Given it's their faulty instructions that led to you running it on DCC in the first place, you may find the repair is very cheap.