Help needed on running a CT sound decoder lco on my layout.

[carlwooduk]

I have just taken delivery of a N gauge Farish Warship with a CT Elektronik SL75 sound decoder. It works perfectly, sounds great on my simple oval test track that is fed by a single feed from by NCE Powercab setup.

 

The problem occurs on my Main Layout ( Vale of Oxbury 12 by 4 ft in 3 sections ). It appears the decoder will not read any command from the Powercab. It will run in a single direction up to full speed and that’s it. No lights, no sound no control.

 

My other DCC loco’s that are fitted with Digitrax DZ125’s or the Bachamann decoders work fine along the whole layout. Is the CT SL75 extra sensitive to issues?

 

The specialist who supplied the loco has suggested it could be down to the way I have wired my DCC Power Bus, with a potential minute delay in the command signals conflicting. I have multiple feeds to the track on each separate baseboard. I use Peco electrofrog points that are standard. The Bus is wired in a circuit using connectors at the baseboard joints.

Any ideas from the experts on this forum as to possible reasons and cures would be very welcome.

Carl.

[Nigelcliffe]

I've seen a SL75 run on larger N layouts than yours, and with poor wiring when compared to the standards usually advocated for bus and feed wires. The SL75 runs totally reliably.

 

Does the SL75 have DC running enabled ? This might be confusing it. CV29 to change it.

 

Back at your layout bus wire - does it go in a complete circle, or does the bus just go out and stop ? I recall reading somewhere that a fully circular bus can be a problem (though why a circle of track still works, yet a circular bus is a bad idea does still leave me baffled).

 

But mostly I'm stumped by this one.

 

 

- Nigel

[carlwooduk]

Nigel,

 

Thanks for your input. i have made some progress. Its definately a Bus Wiring issue. I removed the feeds from the inner circuit and bingo, she works sweetly on the outer line on Vale of Oxbury.

 

I have been having an isue with a double slip on the inner shorting , next step is to fix that!

 

Carl