bossy

Thanks for the above will try the resistor. Because the controller and programmer could not read the chip I assumed it was not working. but reading above it could easily be live and not reading because of no load as you say. Thanks What I am trying to do is use a decoder to control the LED lights in the non power car. I am using the blue and white wires.... The decoder I wanted to use and reads without load is an old ZTC4006!!! yes the old decoder appears to work better.. but I have no instructions to alter the dimming and online it does not give the detail. I do remember in the past having this an altering CV's and bit numbers to change it..... if only I have kept a copy!! Stephen

Hoping someone can help me figure out a problem with decoder fitting. I have just fitted LED 'spot' lights to a MPV. The power car was fine taken power from contacts on the board. BUT the nonpowered car is causing me some issue. I cant get a decoder to work. I have put in rail pickup wires.but have so 2 issues:- 1) a very old ZTC4005! appears to work I can read/programme but the led's are way to dull and I cant find any info on how I to increase the brightness to the white wire that I am using off the decoder. 2) No other new 4 function decoders Bachmann/Laisdcc or gaugemaster works. I am connecting the red and black to the power but the prodigy 2 or ESU programmer will not read the chip nothing. I find that the old ZTC is readable connecting the wires to the rails directly but the others no chance......If I put one of the later decoders into a loco on same test track etc they can be read and be used etc no problem which confirmed not faulty chips, Its when out of the 8 pin slot and just using the power red and black wires only to power them with no other connection. I am trying to power the decoder set up functions for the white or green wire to enable me to connect the LED's. Am I missing something here? or do I need a different decoder.... totally lost and its stopped me finishing the project. I always thought you cold just get a decoder and connect the red/black wires to the rails and read/programme them but have never tried until now PS don't want to use power car to pick up wires as its sound and don't want any risk of short etc...power car works fine lights/sounds and all. Thanks for any help appreciated.

Thanks great help. Was looking for a quick fix myself but looks to me PC2 is wired differently so not going to tackle this. Unfortunately I have already connected and run the units which identified a problem. was a slight burning so I removed it but it did move up and down the track. Lights were bright so going to now check them with Pc1. In PC2 the solder/wires on the board at the back end of the car ie the 2nd coach connection pin side is slightly melted and the board shiny around the solder. ouch!...... just opened PC1 and all appears on on this. Going to email Charlie. Stephen

Does PC2 have the circuit board for a decoder?

just opened it up PC2 has a chip!. wonder if its just a case of taking the chip out?. nothing is connected to the chip itself any one got picks of the pc2 layout? wondered what the burn smell was nowI realize all appears to work ok lucky it did not burn them out. hope motors not been damaged

thanks for info I ran them separately and both had sound and address 3. the are labeled as PC1 and PC2. I read elsewhere that both cars did have sound decoder in each?. Will contact Charlie.

Well got mine and have a problem. Both power cars run the same way so fighting against each other. its the sound fitted units. hoping its just a cv adjustment. Had both cars running on their own so must be sound chip decoders in each power car. Also one runs jerky at low speed Any pointers to solve this. My luck 2000 sold and I get the faulty one!