Hi Nathan
Thanks for the reply
I also have a 3 Truck Shay, and that has a Tsunami sound unit in it - which is superb, so who makes these - Digitrax, Phoenix ?
Graham

Hi All
Well, I finally got one of the decoders back from the retailer who had adjusted some of the CV numbers on the decoder.

The second decoder has gone back to manufacturer as it has a sound fault on it.

I refitted the decoder, and yes movement was slightly better in a backward motion, however forward movement could not be acheived below speed step 5.

I therefore removed the Eloksound decoder and instead fitted a non-sound Lenz Gold Maxi decoder which I have spare - Voila - the Mallet now crawls along - just as I wanted it to do.

I wonder what has caused this problem - is it the fact that the Eloksound decoder wont run properly because the loco needs so much initial power to get going - therfore what the decoder does is use up all the slow feed power for sound rather than movemnet ?

So - Ive sent both Eloksound decoders back to retailer who is going to replace them with another type of sound decoder - but whats the best one out there - come on folks
Graham

Many thanks Nathan & Stan - I will get back to you
Graham,

Hi Nathan
I have already adjusted the Start Voltage - which is set as low as possible.
How do I adjust the "Kick Start" - ??
Graham

Hi Udu
Many thanks for replying
My Eloksound decoder was fitted by the retailer who sold me the Mallets, I think hes not that good at fitting Eloksound decoders - mine is a V3.0/3.5 Loksound XL

I think you are probably correct - my decoders I suspect are also faulty, which is why I have sent both of them back to the retailer, I should have them back this weekend.

Sound wise I am happy with it, the loco will go through all of the sounds without much problem, my problem is like yours, the movement of the actual loco.
I have tested my Mallet on both standard track and also on my standing track units - in neither mode will it move correctly.
When I switch on the Lenz, I find that it wont move, until a minimum of speed stop 5 - even then sometimes it needs a shove to move it, both my decoders do the same.
I require my Mallet to run properly at slow speed, in other words - like my other Bachmann locos - and I have Heisler, Climax, 2 Truck Shay, 3 Truck Shay, and Connie, Im not really asking for much - simply a loco that should run properly.
Anyway my email address is , hopefully we will get this sorted.

The problem Im talking about doesnt seem to happen when the Mallet is run without a decoder, it only happens when one is fitted, hence why I feel the decoder is causing the problem - it may even need a different decoder
Graham

Hi Stan
Thanks you very much for your reply.
I have taken both decoders out and sent them back to where they came from, so that they can be fixed !!

What is annoying me most about this is that the loco will not move under its own power until I reach speed step 5 on the Lenz, even then I mostly have to give it a push to get it to move, once moving its fine, until I reduce the power down to speed step 3 - then it ceases to operate.

I need this Mallet to be able to move at the slowest of speeds, real slow, pushing some Bachmann skele logging trucks, the sound is fine, its the actual loco performance which Im bothered about.

All my other Bachmanns run fine, most are DCC, which makes me think that its the actual decoder which is the problem - which is why Ive sent them for re-setting.

The reason I mention capacitators - is because Ive been told they "could be the problem" - but Im not that sure - surely in 2009 these wouldnt cause a problem - or is UK electric so differnt to yours in the States ??

The sound made by the decoders is fine - I can accept that - its the movement of the loco which is causing me concern

The decoders should be back by this coming weekend - I will let you know what happens
thanks again
Graham

Hi All
I have two of the above logging locos and am having some problems with them.

Both are fitted with Eloksound decoders 3.5 , and been faulty since new

Basically both run fine in DC - however they dont in DCC.

The sound is good on both, its getting them running properly, in that I use Lenz as my system and they will not start running below speed step 5.

Also when I use No 9 button the sound changes to a rattling sound, totally different from the original.

Also when stood and with sound minimal the locos make a continous wirring sound, which even with my poor hearing is easy to spot

Ive heard about chopping out the capacitators - which I am loathed to do, and various other possiblities.

Can anyone on here help with this one please
Graham