I have a CP Jupiter 4-4-0 (new tooling) and I'm running it with a MRC Tech 6 controller with the walkaround controller. I can program the Jupiter as loco 1-5 and it goes forward and reverse and buttons 0-3 all work, but if I program it as loco 6 it will not move. it sits on the track making steam idling noises, and buttons 0-3 all work. Forward and reverse do not work -- it can't move.
After programming Jupiter as loco 6 I hit button 0. I got a short blast from the whistle and the light came on, and the idling noises got much louder. Just another strange thing. Then I made it loco 3 and all was normal.
My UP 119 4-4-0 (new tooling) is the same. As loco 6 it can't move. I don't know if the trouble is in the loco or in the controller. Talking to MRC is not so easy, so I'm starting here. Any ideas?
Try a different control system to confirm whether these is a problem with the loco or control system.
Thanks, Mr. Yardmaster. I don't have a different controller, but your suggestion gave me the idea (why couldn't I think of it?) to try a different loco. I tried an Atlas loco with a Quantum Titan decoder and got the same result. The loco will not move as loco #6. No doubt -- it's the controller.
The Tech 6 was originally designed to only operate DCC locos set for factory default address '3'. In fact, the instructions for what to do if a DCC loco doesn't operate resets to loco to factory defaults:
QuoteWhenever it does not respond, press the SHIFT key and then press 9,9. [Press 9 once and then 9 again]. This will reset your loco to factory default within 5 seconds. Note, if you plan to use a locomotive with a DCC system, you will need to reprogram the loco using the DCC system after it was used it the TECH 6.
Including other addresses was a later addition, and I suspect the bit in the instructions about "6 addresses" is actually 1 DC only loco or up to 5 DCC locos set to an address between 1 and 5.
For just a bit more money you could have gotten a true DCC controller, such as an NCE Power Cab, and gotten a lot more flexibility.
Len
Well, Len, way back when I bought the Tech 6 there were a lot of things that I didn't know. There still are, but maybe not quite so many. About the loco 6 question, though, the later addition to the Tech 6 was a walkaround controller that plugs into the Tech 6, and according to its instructions it can program locos as 1 through 6. In the past I have sometimes run a loco as #6 with the walkaround, but at this time it's not possible with my walkaround. Nowadays when I program a loco as loco 6 with the walkaround, the lights, bell, and horn/whistle all respond, but it will not move. Doug at MRC customer service does not know why that is so. He thinks that there is a CV that can solve the problem, but I am ignorant about CVs and not ready to dive into that subject at this time. I'm happy with sound buttons 0, 1, 2,and 3 on locos that go as 1-5. That's enough for me right now.
Thanks for your interest.