Gaugemaster decoder problem

[Philbyw]

I have a problem with a GM  dcc26 opti decoder that I have recently purchased, it is only being used for the speed control and no lights etc. on my loco, My DCC system is Digitrax. When I have fitted the decoder it will only move in a stuttery manner stopping and starting in a random fashion.  I have cleaned the track and the loco all to no avail. I have even swopped it over to a loco that runs fine but has the same issue show up when fitted with the GM decoder stopping and starting randomly as though it is running on a dirty track.  If I use another make decoder in said loco's such as Bachmann or Digitrax there is no problem. I have tried changing C.V.'s etc or re-setting the decoder but nothing seems to cure it.  I have read somewhere that there may well be a problem with these later made GM decoders earlier models were ok apparently,

Help please it is driving me round the bend! 

[WIMorrison]

I think you have answered your own question in your post and you know what you need to do

[MikeHunter]

On 25/10/2018 at 20:14, Philbyw said:

I have a problem with a GM  dcc26 opti decoder that I have recently purchased, it is only being used for the speed control and no lights etc. on my loco, My DCC system is Digitrax. When I have fitted the decoder it will only move in a stuttery manner stopping and starting in a random fashion.  I have cleaned the track and the loco all to no avail. I have even swopped it over to a loco that runs fine but has the same issue show up when fitted with the GM decoder stopping and starting randomly as though it is running on a dirty track.  If I use another make decoder in said loco's such as Bachmann or Digitrax there is no problem. I have tried changing C.V.'s etc or re-setting the decoder but nothing seems to cure it.  I have read somewhere that there may well be a problem with these later made GM decoders earlier models were ok apparently,

Help please it is driving me round the bend! 

I'm having the same problem. I fitted one in the Hattons Garrett due to lack of space. It kept cutting out. I thought I had a problem with the loco, till I replaced the decoder with a Bachmann one, it now runs a treat. Had the same problem with the other Gaugemaster I fitted in  Hornby 8F. Swapping the decoder cured the problem. I now have two Gaugemaster 8 pin decoders I'm probably going to have to bin, unless anyone can suggest a way they can be reprogrammed to cure the problem. Any ideas?

[mikeg]

Return them to the retailer you got them from as not fit for purpose.

 

 Regards mike 

[HLT 0109]

I don't know whether this is helpful or not but I offer my experiences for consideration.

 

I have two Gaugmaster DCC23 decoders in N gauge locos and have had poor running qualities similar to those described (except for the cutting out).  The first is in a second hand Fairbairn 2-6-4 tank and the other is driving a tiny 0-4-0 motorbogie (10mm wheelbase) in a 3D printed body.  I have both locos running well after carefull study of the user manual and playing with the motor control CVs - and some of them are very different from the default values to which they were set:

Fairbairn: CV54 = 64; CV55 = 128; CV56 = 1; CV57 = 10.   0-4-0:  CV54 = 0; CV55 = 128; CV56 = 80; CV57 = 10.

 

I was told that the Gaugemaster decoders are rebadged Digitrax so I took my information from their user manual - though it took quite a while to understand.

 

I agree that there are better decoders readily available but the Fairbairn came with it fitted and the other decoder was removed from a Dapol Flying Scotsman in which it was unsatisfactory so I tried it before incurring the expense of an alternative.

 

Harold.