J36 Class TTS issues

[Zapper]

I've fitted a Hornby TTS sound decoder to my J36 class. It worked fine for a while but suddenly the loco wouldn't move and the sound shuts down. I took the top off the tender and noticed that the TTS chip is very hot, which I'm guessing is why it stopped working.

any ideas as to the cause ?

phil

[Chrissaf]

There is only one technical reason for a decoder to get hot and that is that too much electrical current is being drawn through it.

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So the real question that needs to be answered is how much current is the J36 drawing.

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The only way to answer that question with any surety is to revert the loco back to DC Analogue operation [remove the TTS decoder] and perform a DC Analogue 'stall test'.

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How to perform a 'stall test'.

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Reasons why a loco might draw excessive current. If it is an old loco, then the motor magnets might need re-magnetising. Or there may be too much drag in the drive train. Or hauling an excessively heavy load, which might include rolling stock that might be dragging. Going up gradients etc.

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PS - Unless a loco is 'DCC Ready', then IMO all locos should be 'stall tested' before fitting a decoder to ensure decoder compatibility.

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[Zapper]

It's a brand new loco so there shouldn't be any issues. I'll do the stall test and see where I'm at

phil