Cannot run Hornby R2977XS Class 08 shunter on my Select controller

[Edward-359630]

Hi, My son bought me this Hornby R2977XS Class 08 shunter D3511 in BR green - DCC sound fitted. but it will not run on my select controller, I am led to believe that my controller needs upgrading so will this solve the problem. The contoller came in the box set R1073 Venice simplon orient express. All my other engines have hornby decoders so i have had no issues.

RDS Mod Edit. I have amended the title of your post (was dcc), to make it more likely that you will receive a response. All posts in this section are DCC.

[Fishmanoz]

There is no logical reason your 08, I think Loksound DCC fitted with that suffix, won’t run on your Select despite not being latest firmware. This seems to be confirmed by your other DCC fitted locos working.

I would be contacting the supplier given it’s not working.

However, the upgrade will give you:

• ability to write CVs
• access to more sounds up to F30

The upgrade is £15 by return to Hornby. Contact Customer Care for a returns number.

[96RAF]

You could reset the Select (see the famous manual) and normally we would suggest a reset of the decoder (write value 8 to CV8, except you can’t if your Select is in need of an update) to put their ducks in a row. Simply write address 3 to the decoder instead, which is the out of the box factory default. Does it respond now.

If the Select operates other decoders it may just be a duff 21-pin decoder in that loco.

[Edward-359630]

Hi, Thanks for your help. I took the loco to a model railway shop near Oldham and they sorted the decoder address out for me, Now it runs great. What would you suggest as a good controller ?.

[96RAF]

What is the first number you see when you power up your Select. You will see xx then 30 then 03. What is xx on your Select. It will be between 10 and 20 but likely to be less than 15 in which case it is worth updating.

Spend £15 and contact Hornby to get a returns number to have them update your Select which makes it good basic controller that can write CVs, has good self protection and can operate all functions F0 to F28.

[P-Henny]

Spend £15 and contact Hornby to get a returns number to have them update your Select which makes it good basic controller..........

 

 

Upgrade the 1Amp PSU to the 4 Amp P9300 PSU and the upgraded Select is then even better than what the upgrade does. You will also need to download the 1.5 Manual and the 1.6 Addendum Manual from the 'Support' section of the website as an updated 1.6 Select buttons and knobs are operated completely differently.

[Edward-359630]

Hi, Thanks for the reply, The start number on the controller is 11 then 30 then 03.

Yes I do have the 4 amp p9300 psu. I was told it was a better option to have. So i will get the controller upgraded. Also i heard that when you fit a decoder to a engine you can remove the original capacitor for smoother running, is this true. Anyway thanks for your help.

[P-Henny]

11 is version 1.1 firmware. This is buggy and has been known to damage any R8247 Accessory Decoder that might be connected. You really should have 1.1 upgraded to 1.6 and then use the downloaded 1.5 & '1.6 addendum' manuals instead of your 1.1 paper manual which will become obsolete once the upgraded Select is returned.

The supression capacitor across the motor removal is optional. Some users have seen stability improvements after its removal but IMO the majority see no difference. The R2977XS is a factory fitted decoder loco and has the suppression capacitor retained in the factory, presumably because the loco works fine for most users with it still present. It is IMO usually the older Analogue locos that were not factory designed for decoders that might see a benefit of removing it.

[Edward-359630]

Thanks for the advice, I will leave the capacitors alone. The controller will be sent for upgrade asp. And thanks for the advice.

[Fishmanoz]

My understanding of capacitor retention is to meet RFI regulation.

There have been previously reported instances of this capacitor failing short circuit and taking out the decoder.

I’d remove it. The decoder circuitry includes the RFI function.