Well after I received a new diesel engine - it ran erratically right out of the box. On a recent road trip to Florida, I stopped at the Broadway Limited offices and got a suggestion. She said to try it W/O JMRI - just run from the Zephyr & all is fine.  Even the Baldwin rund great.

SOOOOOOOO - it boils down to MY ERROR!!! When I tried just the Zephyr, I noticed the loco address was set to "03" just as the new engines were as I hadn't assigned the loco # to the decoder - I was waiting until they worked fine.

This means that because JMRI & Zephyr are both sending commands to address "03". A conflict! And when I changed speed on the JMRI throttle the engine started to go again until Zephyr sent a conflict packet!

I guess this is one of my rookie errors and maybe every one else never gets into this situation.

Anyway - thx for all the replies, trying to help.

Maybe this will help someone else - too!
Moral - assign those loco numbers right away!

JB

FWIW

I found this in an email from one of the groups I belong to:
Allan Gartner's Wiring for DCC Question and Answer Forum - Digest #175

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/magazine/mrh2019-05/publishers-musings

Good reference & a lot of info / discussion in the comments.

OK now I hope this doesn't open a heated discussion, but what do you recommend I use to "clean everything"?

I'm thinking Isopropal alcohol?

That makes sense - guess I didn't think of that since it's so new - will do.
Thank you!
JB

I have had this unit for less than a year and lately it is running erratically. This just started after the layout sat dormant for 3 weeks while I was away.

All other locos are running fine. Tried a DD40AX at almost "creep" speed and it ran fine.
Symptom is that every couple of seconds it randomly stops and all I do is increase or decrease the throttle and it starts up again. It even happens with the throttle moved to get it started again. So it's not just happening at one speed setting. It doesn't happen in the same spots - just every so often. I'm wondering if anyone else had had this issue. When it runs it is a great looking & sounding loco.
Just FYI, I run Digitrax Zephyr+ and JMRI. I haven't setup the the decoder yet - still running as "03".
Again, it had been running fine!

Thx in advance.
JB

I could create a video of the issue it that would help - BTW are videos allowed as attachments?

OK - that is great - thank you for the answer

What is the minimum radius for this loco?

Well that answers why I could't find it. I understand F8, just wanted the sound not to start everytime I turn on track power, requiring an F8 each time.

Thx for the reply.
JB

I've searched these boards and not found an answer to my question. Maybe I missed it somewhere, but will ask here.

I'm sure I read somewhere that there is a CV that silences the motor sound when the loco is stopped or has emergency stop applied. I am using Digitrax & toying with JMRI & a PR3 - mainly now for the withrottle - so neat.

I also saw a discussion of what CVs to alter in these locos. I didn't find the details tho.

BWT I know in real life the locos aren't shut down when stopped - but that is what I'm looking to do.

Thx in advance.
JB - The JB & J - Grayslake IL

PS any N scalers in the area?

Thx for the reply's. I have a stretch that is just over 2% - but is also a lazy "S".

FWIT
Just went downstairs & did a little comparison.
Bachmann DD40AX = 178.3 grams - 2 motors
Kato Amtrak E8-A = 121.5 grams
Life-Like E8A = 178.3 grams

SO, as a novice I would question why doesn't the DD40AX weigh more to be similar to 2 E8As
Or - is that not logical?
JB NE Illinois

Hi:
First post - hope I'm doing this correctly.
Santa brought me a DD40AX and it is GREAT. I am wondering if anyone thinks it is a little light?
I loaded it up and when climing my steepest grade got it to bog down.
I had some car weights (1/4OZ) that I just stuck 2 on the roof & that helped a lot. Haven't wanted to remove the shell yet.
The unit seems light to pick up vs. other locos I have.
I saw in a post that was discussing how to add sound (mine is factory installed) that a piect of metat under the roof needed to be removed.

Any thoughts? Guess it may mean that I'll have to talk to Santa some more.
Along those likes is there really a need to buy the 2nd one w/sound, if always run as a consist?

Thx in advance.
JB NE Illinois