andy stroud Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Hi Everyone. This is the first time I have hardwired anything. I thought I had completed the job ok but the loco dosent work and I cant see what I have done wrong. My Lenz system shows 'error 02' (decoder not detected) when I place the loco on the program track. I have wired it correct to the diagram that came with the decoder. I'm pretty sure there is no direct connection left between the chassis block and the motor. I have tested it with a meter and also tested the motor with a dc supply and that runs fine. Currently i have by-passed the loco pickups and have the loco sat on the table with dcc supply directly connected to the decoder wires via crocodile clips. This is to eliminate any issues with the pickups. Still it wont go and the error message still shows. I have not connected any of the lighting wires. Would I be correct in thinking there's a problem with the decoder or could there be something starring me in the face that I havent realised? I would be very grateful for any advice on this. Many thanks Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Wintle Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Typically 'Error 02' means that the DCC system is not seeing acknowledgement pulses (pulses of the motor) on the bus. If the decoder is fine, this typically means that the motor isn't connected correctly. Adrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share Posted November 25, 2014 Hi Adrian. Many thanks for your reply. I will follow up what you say by connecting the two wires from the decoder to the terminals of a loose motor that i have spare and see how the system reads that. Thankyou again andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share Posted November 25, 2014 I have just connected wires 1 and 2 to the terminals of a spare motor from a class 47. This is unattatched to the chassis of the loco and is a straightforward connection of two wires. With the pickup wires 3 and 4 connected directly via crocodile clips to the system, I can only conclude that the decoder is faulty as the 'error02' message is still showing. That was not a cheap decoder at £35. will try a cheaper one next. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunnysa Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 You are describing the wires by numbers and unless I am missing something connecting the way you describe won't work. When hard wiring connect by colours as follows: Red and black are connected to pick ups on loco. Orange and grey connected to motor. White connected to front head light. Yellow to rear head light. Blue is common to both head lights and any other functions if fitted or required. When connecting by plug the socket is numbered as follows; Orange is pin #1 Red = pin #8 Yellow = pin #2 Blue = pin #7 Green = pin #3 White = pin #6 Black = pin #4 Gray = pin #5 If you don't have a decoder tester connect, via alligator clips, two wires from system to Red & Black wires on decoder. then connect Orange and Gray wires to motor. Make sure ends of all other function wires do not touch anything at any time. At this stage do not give full power to decoder. First put DCC system in program mode before connecting decoder and read address and or a CV or 2. Usually reading the address will indicate if all OK. On Lenz, error 02 means no connection between system and decoder. Error 01 means a dead short. Hope this helps. Cheers Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted November 26, 2014 Author Share Posted November 26, 2014 Hi Ian. Many thanks indeed for your information. I had actually done exactly what you have suggested with red and black wires from pickups and orange/grey to motor. Also have red and black connected directly to system via crocodile clips and also tried connecting orange/grey to a different motor. Still no go. Thanks why i think its the chip. I am wondering if there is any way in which I could have damaged it during installation? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigelcliffe Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 I agree with Ian's post, but would add that an N-gauge 6-pin socket has a different pin-out to the 8-pin which Ian described. Also, the common positive (blue) is optional, and not used in a 6-pin decoder. Instead the positive supply for lights is achieved by using power from one of the two track pickups (red or black). This will be in the Lenz manual for the decoder. As for damage; yes it is possible if you put it on the mainline track to "see if it goes". The only way to test things reliably is the programming track, and "no response" or "error" means there is a fault, so find and fix it. Lenz used to have a decent guarantee on installation errors, so check with the dealer who supplied the decoder and, if the guarantee hasn't changed, you'll get it replaced. Back at the loco, there should be infinite resistance (no connection) between the pickups and the motor terminals. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Izzy Posted November 28, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 28, 2014 I'm afraid that I have had nothing but trouble with the Lenz silver mini decoders I have purchased, both wired and 6-pin, some being dud on arrival and others needing a re-set via A&H to get them working. They are the only ones - among Bachmann, Digitrax, CT, Zimo - I've had any issues with and I wouldn't touch them now at any price. Sorry to be so negative, but try another make and I'm sure you'll be okay. Izzy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted November 28, 2014 Author Share Posted November 28, 2014 To be honest, I am slightly encouraged by that, as I simply cannot see what I have done wrong and it adds weight to my theory that the problem is the decoder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PaulCheffus Posted November 29, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 29, 2014 I'm afraid that I have had nothing but trouble with the Lenz silver mini decoders I have purchased, both wired and 6-pin, some being dud on arrival and others needing a re-set via A&H to get them working. They are the only ones - among Bachmann, Digitrax, CT, Zimo - I've had any issues with and I wouldn't touch them now at any price. Sorry to be so negative, but try another make and I'm sure you'll be okay. Izzy Hi The only time I have had an issue with Lenz decoders has been due to my own mistake. Lenz will replace the decoder even if you have blown it just take it back to where you bought it from. Cheers Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadlyduck Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Return the Faulty Decoder,as they have a lifetime guarantee Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 ... could there be something staring me in the face that I haven't realised?... Yes, a simple connectivity fault, which is the place to start from on getting an 02 error. Could be something as simple as a broken wire in any of the red, black, orange or grey, easy to test for with a meter on ohms. But as already mentioned, if it doesn't perform, that ls what the warranty is there for. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted November 29, 2014 Author Share Posted November 29, 2014 Yes, a simple connectivity fault, which is the place to start from on getting an 02 error. Could be something as simple as a broken wire in any of the red, black, orange or grey, easy to test for with a meter on ohms. Thanks, thats a good idea and something i hadn't thought of. I'll check the actual wires with a meter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted December 7, 2014 Author Share Posted December 7, 2014 I have now replaced the decoder with a CT Electronik DCX75D which I ordered on-line from Digitrains. It works fine, no problems at all. In fact I am very pleased with it and I am particularly impressed with the slow crawl ability. I now intend to use other similar decoders in future. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who replied to my query. You have all been most helpful. Many thanks Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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