Decoder reads XXX

[pitbull1845]

HI,

I wonder if you can help?

 

I have just wired up one of my tracks and was having a play, like you do. I had my Hornby class 60 with Howes sound chip running and it was running in the opposite direction to that shown on the controller (Hornby Elite).

 

I had a go at trying to alter the direction by following the instructions in the Elite booklet. And hay presto the loco now refuses to budge or even acknowledge that I'm trying to operate it.

 

I read the address and it came back as XXX. I cannot do anything with it, I have tried re writing the address but nothing.

Aftrer getting frustrated with that found a normal chip (non sound) and put that in the 60 and it worked fine. However I was still haveing the same problem as before with the direction. So yes you guessed it, not learning from my previous disaster I tried changing the direction and once again the decoder has now gone on strike and wont do anything. the address on this one now reads 0000.

 

There was no smoke so I don't think Ive blown it, but there is definately something wrong with the chip or Elite programming. (or my programming)

 

I am hoping that the sound chip hasnt gone to DCC heaven.

 

If you have any suggestions ideas or solutions then I would like to hear from you because I haven't got a clue.

 

And I'm not looking for "get rid of the Elite" solutions thanks, I am going to change it when I decide what I want.

 

Many thanks

 

Scott

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

With the non-sound decoder, enter whatever it requires for a reset to factory default settings. That usually gets decoders that have locked up in some way back to address 3, and you can start again.

 

If you cannot achieve a reset, then perhaps get yourself to a dealer (or a club if you are a member) for advice, and try resetting the decoder using another DCC command station?

 

Do nothing to the sound decoder without advice from the supplier or consulting the documentation, to avoid the risk of wiping the sound files.

[pitbull1845]

Thanks for the info, I will try and find out the reset code and see if that works. And also contact Howes for some advice.

Cheers

Scott

[Guest RAFHAAA]

Set CV8 to 8 to reset a normal chip but I have heard doing this to a sound chip can b*gger up the sound.

Rob

[pitbull1845]

Thanks for the info Rob, I will have a go..

 

While I'm here I have another problem now. I have got aBachmann class 57 (freightliner) and today I have wired in a few more tracks. During testing I had a problem with the 57 whereby all the lights on it were flashing and it didn't respond to the controller. I initially thought I had mucked up the wiring but the other locos work fine.

is it likely to be a short within the loco??

 

Cheers

Scott

[Adrian Wintle]

Thanks for the info Rob, I will have a go..

 

While I'm here I have another problem now. I have got aBachmann class 57 (freightliner) and today I have wired in a few more tracks. During testing I had a problem with the 57 whereby all the lights on it were flashing and it didn't respond to the controller. I initially thought I had mucked up the wiring but the other locos work fine.

is it likely to be a short within the loco??

 

Cheers

Scott

 

A number of decoders have short-circuit protection built in that will flash the lights (rather than let the smoke out), so this is quite possibly what you are seeing.

 

Adrian

[pitbull1845]

Thanks Adrian, I didn't know that..

I will take a closer look at see if I can spot the problem.

Cheers

Scott