Select v1.1 causing problems with R8247

[96RAF]

It has kindly been brought to my attention that failures of R8247 Accessory Decoders can be as a direct result of a bug in the Select firmware v1.1. Very few people may still be operating a Select at this revision in conjunction with solenoid points on an R8247 but it is sensible to let users know about the problem.

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The problem only affects Port 1 of the R8247 with a solenoid point motor attached and only when operated by a Select at firmware v1.1. The problem has not been reproduced when using a Select at any other firmware revision state nor when using any other controller.

 

The problem is the R8247 seems to have failed (it actually has) but if it is repaired or a new unit is substituted then the Select can and will break it again. The root cause is the Select not the R8247.

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This is what happens:

If Port 1 is activated (either way) with a solenoid point motor attached it will start to pulse rapidly on/off. This pulsing is not easy to detect as it discharges and keeps discharged the on-board CDU and the unit will not operate any other port making it appear the whole unit has failed.

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If the unit is powered down and up again it will reset and the other ports will operate as normal until Port 1 is tried when it fails again.

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If the R8247 is left powered up is this pulsing state it is likely to damage the output transistors permanently. If you repair it and reconnect to the Select it will fail again. If you substitute a new unit it will fail also. The problem is caused by the Select only at this particular firmware revison.

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You are advised to update any Select that is at firmware revision v1.1 and do not use it to operate any R8247 until you do the upgrade.

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A further complication is that any R8247 that has been stressed in this scenario but not yet failed may do so later after the Select is updated. If your R8247 Port 1 is not working you may be able to get it fixed.

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You should be able to get Hornby to do the upgrade free of charge and repair/replace any R8247s that have failed on Port 1 but only if you can show Hornby these 2 things are associated with the Select v1.1.

 

Rob

 

 

 

[Fishmanoz]

Who’d’ve thunk it Rob?  Sounds like a whole lot of previously thought faulty 8247s aren’t. 

[96RAF]

And all due to your favourite doorstop Fishy.

Rob

[Fishmanoz]

Not quite Rob. Won’t change CVs, too light for a doorstop, causes weird behaviour in 8247s as well as address offsets v Elite, methinks £15 upgrade to firmware is good money after bad, definitely only bottom drawer material. But that’s just my opinion, I know others like them, particularly as walkabouts.