Thanks for the comments.  I have not dealt with this issue since early last week due to traveling almost every weekend, just busy.  I'll get to it eventually.

 I think its  the Z2.

I have not called TCS, I thought it might get a quick diagnosis. 

I will try another reset and setting CV2 to 0 and see if that fixes it (but CV2 isn't 0/28 on the throttle, it is 1/28 on the  throttle correct?).  So I don't know.

Quote from: rkindermann on March 21, 2011, 07:49:59 PM
Also, any recommendations for a replacement pack with pure DC as I don't think any of the Tech II packs are pure DC. 

The Bachmann packs (BAC44212) that come with their box sets runs locomotives with decoders smooth so I guess they are "smooth" DC.  It is Not Spectrum, the Spectrum pack I have causes my DCC locomotives to jerk a long.

Thanks again Hunt.  I will check into that, but just FYI, there are maybe 10 other DCC locomotives sitting on the track (with power), that don't have this issue.  It is the only one.

Also, resetting the system will wipe out all my settings listed in my roster (their names, etc.).  So I hope that is last resort.

My little Southern 4-6-0 is unchanged from the factory except for flipping the front truck. Last night, I had it pulling 9 40' Bachmann gondolas w/coal load and a caboose on my loopti-loo that has a 2% grade. By mistake, it turned out at an Atlas switch right at the start of the grade and headed to another line and into a closed Peco switch. It climbed the rail at the Peco switch pulling the gondolas over the rail with it onto the other line and proceeded up the 2% grade for about 6" until it hit a Bachmann 44 Tonner, then, pushed the 44 Tonner another 12" up the grade while continuing to pull gondolas over the rail, until, it started spinning though still making progress, when, finally I shut the system down. When I shut it down, it had pulled 7 gondolas over the rail, leaving only 2 gondolas and the caboose left to pull over the rails. Although this is extraordinary, overall I am impressed with this little steamer's pulling ability.

The loco runs fine on DC and DCC (light works, it pulls well, creeps, etc.); however, just recently, when I turn on the DCC system I hear a little squeel like hum, and sometimes, the locomotive will start to crawl on its own even though the throttle is turned down.

If  I throttle up and speed the locomotive up then back down to zero it will stop and sit, but the next time I turn the system on the locomotive will make the noise and move on its own. 

I reset the decoder, but it still does it.  Any suggestions???

And again, thank you very much.  You posts, link and encouragement to learn it on my own helped me pay better attention.  I appreciate that.  When I changed the direction on my Alco last night I did the math myself.  Without your comment I probably would have just used the calculator.  I found two other internet threads where this same problem happened on this locomotive with Digitrax systems and the locos were returned as defective.

I will probably try LHS's PowerCab before I make that decision.

I guess I'm going to have to find another DCC system and try program it because nothing worked (except address 03) last night.  It will not take any programming on the service track or on the main track.  It works fine on address 03, but I was unable to notice any difference after changing CVs.  For example, changing 29, 17 & 18 did not affect it.  Also, changing CV 2 to 0, 50 or 127 did not change how it throttles (creeps at 8/28 after reset and after changing CV2 to those 3 values).

Just to check myself, I put some other locomotives on the track and was able to program them.  For example, I successfully changed the direction setting on a Kato Alco with a Digitrax decoder by changing CV29 to 39 (from 38) and changed CV2 so it will creep on 1/28 throttle up.  Also, I successfully set CV2 on other Digitrax decoders to get  the creep on 1/28 throttle up.  I started to change CV2 on a TCS decoder in a Spectrum 2-8-0, but it creeps fine (because I think I already set it).

Point is, I am able to program Digitrax and have changed addresses on  TCS, Lenz, and MRC ... this NCE in the Atlas works only on address 03 and will not change and will not accept CV values.

Do I need a special track, with a resistor or something? Or a locomotive on the track?

Thanks Again.  That link is helpful and seems clear enough that I will try it on my own.  Thanks for the offer.  I have always put in the number from the locomotive so I don't know the values for CV's 17 & 18 yet (I don't know the loco # and am not home), but I see why you and NCE had me try value 38 in CV29.  Good stuff ... 

Thanks again Hunt.  Yea, I've been thinking about that.  With the exception of a LHS I do not know a single soul that does trains here in Charlotte.  The LHS does have a Powercab though so they can probably help with that.  Again, thanks.

Thanks Hunt, resetting the CV's is doable and so is taking the locomotive off the track, but it will not take a 4 digit address.  That is the problem. 

I will try your suggestions again, including setting CV 29 to 38, but if my memory is correct I have done all these by myself and again when I was on the phone with NCE.  NCE said I did not have to do the power recycle, but I had done it because the directions instruct it to be done.

Again, thanks.  Any other thoughts???

I have the basic Dynamis system so I can not read CV's, but I can program them.

I am trying to change the locomotive address from address 03 to something different.  The locomotive runs fine at address 03 on DCC, but will not accept a new address.  Also, I can reset the decoder, but cannot change the address.

I have had extensive conversations with Atlas, NCE and Bachmann, but we did not get a fix.

Also, I have programmed (changed address) on several Digitrax, Lenz, TCS, MRC and whatever decoder comes in a Bachmann 44 tonner; but this is the only NCE I have and the only one that has given me any trouble.

One other thing that might not help, but, how the ditch lights function via F2 changed with the first reset so they no longer blink (now they only turn on and off with F2).

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

The wheels on the NON-power cars turn okay.  Out of the box I was concerned they didn't turn that well so I checked and they all turned.  I checked again last night, and they all turn (maybe better).  They are better now than when out of the box.  I'll try to compare them to regular stock wheels.  If I flip regular stock wheels with my finger I get a long "zzzzzzz" sound as they roll to a stop, but on the Acela, I get a "zzz."  On the track, if I push regular stock cars, they move a couple/few feet with a nice "sssssss," but with the Acela non-power cars they quickly stop with a small "ss" or more of a short "sh" sound.

Even if I get the Acela going on the full track and cars it came with, it derails a lot (usually with that bouncy wheels spinning jerk).  OUT OF FRUSTRATION, I PUT IT AWAY LAST NIGHT. 

QuoteCan you post a close-up pic of both trucks on any but the powered car?

I did not take a pic this weekend, but here is a link to the truck as a part:

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=254&zenid=q70u8obpadi9v62kdjbq5j6o31

A T-bone rides upside down on the wheel axils, and the weight of the car sits on the top of the T-bones.  This is definitely how the power car is, and I think it is the same on all of them.

If having the lights creates too much drag on the system, I'd rather not have them. 

So I got all five cars circling the track, but it kept throw'n a wheel. 

The power car alone will run laps fine.  When I add  the cars, the wheels spin causing the engine to shake and jerk the wheels off the track.  Even if I apply power slowly, same thing.  The traction treads are still in place. 

This happens whether starting in a straight away or a curve.  Even if I get it started and doing laps, it'll do the same thing soon.