I have recently bought 5 A4's. 3 analogue which all run fine ( Bachmann )

2 DCC fitted by The Model Centre.

I programmed the 1st one ( Bachmann ) and it runs like a dream, a thing of beauty. The second however, The Commonwealth of Australia which is a Hornby won't play ball.

My NCE system reads " cannot read CV ". I have checked all connections to the programme track and the running track and they are fine. As I said the other DCC fitted loco runs fine.

I notice on the Hornby one ( the crap one ) that it looks like the decoder has been fitted in the tender as there is wires between the two and you need to plug it in. The connector can only go one way so that is not the issue. I've followed the instructions to the letter but no success.

The programming with the NCE system is quite straight forward and I have successfully fitted 5 decoders previously by myself without an issue. I thought that by getting TMC to fit the decoders that I was doing a good thing ( leave it to the experts so to speak ) .

I do not want to take the loco or the tender apart as this will void any warranty and I may just make matters worse.

Any ideas guys before I send this back tomorrow which I would rather avoid.

Cheers

Toto

Does the Hornby one run with the default address of 3? If so, try reprogramming with the NCE anyway and see if it actually does anything, in spite of the lack of readback.

I noted that it was set with a default address of 10 and assumed that this had been changed by TMC.

Part of the process takes you through various steps, one of which identifys the manufacturers code. On this occasion, it seems to skip this step. Don't know if this has anything to do with it?

I try to force it to programme as suggested in the NCE manual as according to them, it sometimes works, but not on this occasion.

Looks like a return……gutted as the loco really looks good in the LNER blue livery.

Toto

Just a guess, but if the connector is like my Black 5, the wires can pull out.  You might be able to push the loose wires back and glue them in place.  I got fed up with the drawbar continually coming off the pin and putting a lot of stress on the connector.  I cut off a section of brass tube and glued it to the pin:


Leave a bit of up and down slop.
John

Hi Toto,

before you sent it back just check to make sure that all wheels are clean so that you are getting good contact between the track and the loco.
The other thing I would try if your system is recognising the decoder at all, is to reset the decoder to the factory defaults settings. .

Another thing that is easy to fault the decoder is putting it in around the wrong way… Guess how I know that ??? I had thought I had put it in the correct direction, until I had the same reading on the Powercab, "Cannot read CV". When programming, leave the bodies off the locos and tenders, just in case you need to get in there again.

Cheers, Gary.

Morning,

G'daysydney, I'll try cleaning the wheels, but I wouldn't imagine that would be an issue on a new loco out the box unless maybe it's been old stock.

The loco in question celebrates  the 75 th anniversary of the great gathering which I'm sure is this year so it must've a current model. I'llhave a look at resetting to factory settings and see if that works.

Gary, the decoder was installed by The Model Centre so if it is installed incorrectly, ie back to front or whatever, I'll be surprised. That is one of the reasons that Ipaid them to do it, so I did moot have to open it up. I'm not keen on doing that in case I screw it up then they probably would not take it back under warranty.

I mentioned that you have to plug in the harness from the loco into a plug on the tender.from what Ican see, there is only one way that you can plug it in. That is why I'm reasonably confident that its not anything that I'm doing wrong. The instructions with the NCE controller are quite straight forward and I have successfully programmed a further 6 loco's to datewithoutanyproblem at all.

I'll give it another attempt this morning and see if any of the suggestions so far will make any difference. I don't think Iwill go as faras to open it up though. I'm not keen on this.

Thanks for your speedy responses, as always, I'm very grateful

Cheers for now

Toto.

Sorry Tom, miss read that bit ! On the other hand, did the Model Centre possibly programme the loco with a short or long address ?? They would have to do such to make sure it is all good prior to you purchasing/picking it up. I take it you have tried 3 and 4 digit codes ? (generally the last 3 or 4 numbers on the loco).

Cheers, Gary.

Well I've really done it this time. :twisted:
:Red Card. I tried everything I could as I really did not want to send this back.However, I tried to open it up and guess what, yes…….I snapped the screw mounting plate. Wonderful.

Anyway , I looked at the decoder, took it out and correct me if I'm wrong but I always thought that the way to work out if its correctly fitted ( generally as a rule of thumb ) was that the orange wire went to terminal 1 of the decoder plate ( loco side ).

This was not the case so I tried fitting the decoder the other way but no, the same story.

The answer, package it up with a nice letter to TMC stating my frustration.

I should not have opened it I know but it should have been working to start with.

I have noted that I did not expect the warranty to stand and told them to keep it for spares. Lesson learned.

Toto

What a bummer Tom but I certainly wouldn't write it off.

If TMC are worth anything, they'll sort the problem FOC but perhaps charge for postage and the repair to the mounting plate.  I'd have thought they'd have checked it before sending it on to you and, as is normal, set the address at "3" regardless of what they'd set it at.

My guess is it might be something to do with the plug to the tender …………….:roll::roll::roll:

Tom, a case then for needing a decoder tester
http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/enh-dtester.htm  so that when you have decoders before installing ( or out as you have it now), test & programme before installing.

Sol,

I'll be looking into some kind of testing device because I've got about 25 - 30 loco's to fit decoders to. Some I shall do myself because they are quite straight forward but others, mainly steamI shall hand into my local shop ( Harburn Hobbies ).

Petermac,

I should have just returned it without attempting to open it but no, I took the chance. Of course when I broke it, I threw the toys out of the pram ( almost literally ) and I must admit, acted in haste. I don't mind if they do keep the loco, the chances are I would avoid using them again.

I can accept that decoders can fail, but that should get caught in the shop if they are fitting it. Another thing, I paid £10.00 to get crew fitted and this was not done. They fitted two lamps to the front. Well one because one was lying loose in the box when I opened it.

I'll probably cool off, and yes what's the betting that I'll see another loco on their website because they do a very good job of weathering.I must admit though it goes against the grain.

Onwards and upwards

Toto.

I've said many times that it makes my blood boil when suppliers use us as their test bed Tom.

TMC do however, seem to have a good reputation so I'd have thought they'd do the honourable thing and repair/replace where necessary.

Please let us know how you get on - if only for the benefit of others. :thumbs

No problem, I'll let you know how it works out. One way or the other.

Cheers

Toto

Got home today and checked my emails. TMC have responded to tell me that they have received my returned model and their chief technician will have a look at it as soon as he returns from his holidays.

Unfortunately, I think thy have made yet another blunder as they attached the email history of another unsatisfied customer to my email by mistake.

Looks like their returns department is busy.

I'll advise of any further results as they happen.

Cheers

Toto.

Hi there,

A further email from TMC saying that the model shall be looked at and fixed this week. I pointed out that I had asked for crew to be fitted, not lights. They inform me that they shall fit both the lights as before and the crew. Redo the decoder and fix the loco damage.

Bit of a result eh.

So it turns out that the Commonwealth of Australia shall grace the layout after all. ……see the trouble these Australians cause…..

Cheers for now.

Toto

[user=1505]toto[/user] wrote:

So it turns out that the Commonwealth of Australia shall grace the layout after all. ……see the trouble these Australians cause…..

Cheers for now.

Toto

I guess you didn't watch the cricket… :oops::oops:

Cheers, Gary.

I have to say Toto, that's what I'd have done if I were TMC but nevertheless, a result (provided it's all for free !!!)

Were Australia playing cricket somewhere then Gary ?……………….:lol::lol::lol:

Hi Petermac,

Yes it's free of charge and considering  that I was the one who broke the Loco, free repair and tossing in the lighting that I never asked or paid for, I'd say that they went the extra mile…………all is forgiven…….especially now thatIve calmed down a bit.

Oh, and yes, we're the Australiains meant to turn up somewhere for some sporting event.

More good news on the way, I've just sold my towering caravan, part of the proceeds of which will be undertaking some garden landscaping and wait for it………….the purchase of my layouts home……the new garden hut. So…………watch this space as the pace should be picking up on the layout build over the next month I would think :Happy


Cheers for now.

Toto

Great news about the shed - property developer extraordinaire !!!!

Don't forget the photos of the build………..:thumbs