Kato GS-4 Daylight,problems already.

[kverdon]

There may be a major problem with some or all of these units with regards to DCC.  I installed the EM13 deocder on my GS4 and it started giving me problems, acting like it was shorting when running in reverse.  Right now it will run only SLOWLY forward and not in reverse at all.  If I revert back to analog it works just fine.  The chip on the EM13 also gets VERY hot.  I read over on the Yahoo N Scale group that someone else had a very similiar problem when he hardwired a decoder in.  Its acting like there is a short between the motor and the frame.  If this is true Kato will have a mess on their hands.  Has anyone got this to work with DCC and then run it for a good time after?  Maybe its just a bad batch?  Even so,  I'd HATE to have to send this back to Chulvis  >

[UP_Phill]

There may be a major problem with some or all of these units with regards to DCC.  I installed the EM13 deocder on my GS4 and it started giving me problems, acting like it was shorting when running in reverse.  Right now it will run only SLOWLY forward and not in reverse at all.  If I revert back to analog it works just fine. 

Thanks for that. Prior to fitting a decoder to mine I think a bit of metering and investigation is on the cards....shouldn't be too hard to find the problem....I hope!  :

[UP_Phill]

Just noticed this on Trainboard. Remove the forward light board then give it go.

[wcfn100]

Just noticed this on Trainboard. Remove the forward light board then give it go.

If that's my post, it's pure speculation based on something I think I remember somewhere at sometime.

But I'm still curious if anything will happen.

Jason

[UP_Phill]

Just noticed this on Trainboard. Remove the forward light board then give it go.

If that's my post, it's pure speculation based on something I think I remember somewhere at sometime.

But I'm still curious if anything will happen.

Jason

I have a strange suspicion that the light board maybe the culprit.

[kverdon]

Well from reading over on the Nscale Yahoo group its looking more like a shorting problem and nothing to do with the light board.  One member there hardwired the decoder in the boiler as he could not make it work in the tender. Something is acting likes its fubar'd somewhere in the electrical isolation. I'm not going to be brave enough to open up my boiler yet until either someone figures out WHAT the problem is and comes up with a fix.  If this IS a defect I want to be able to return it to Kato / Chulvis under warranty.

Kevin

[Chulvis]

There may be a major problem with some or all of these units with regards to DCC.  I installed the EM13 deocder on my GS4 and it started giving me problems, acting like it was shorting when running in reverse.  Right now it will run only SLOWLY forward and not in reverse at all.  If I revert back to analog it works just fine.  The chip on the EM13 also gets VERY hot.  I read over on the Yahoo N Scale group that someone else had a very similiar problem when he hardwired a decoder in.  Its acting like there is a short between the motor and the frame.  If this is true Kato will have a mess on their hands.  Has anyone got this to work with DCC and then run it for a good time after?  Maybe its just a bad batch?  Even so,  I'd HATE to have to send this back to Chulvis  >

Kevin, don't mess with it. Send it back. I'll replace it.

[kverdon]

Thanks Chuck I'll give you a call later today.

Kevin

[Chulvis]

Gentlemen,

I have spoken to Kato this morning. They are aware of the issue and hope to be able to begin addressing it today. Their plan at the moment is to disassemble on of the GS-4's and start looking for a shorting problem.

After speaking with him I am confident that the issue will be resolved. Kato assured me that everyone will be taken care of.

[UP_Phill]

Ok, back on topic.

Looks like the draw bar is the culprit. Apparently it's shorting out against the frame. Bypassing the draw bar by hardwiring the motor back to the the Decoder in the tender seems to be the fix.

I'll mod mine when it arrives.

[Dave V]

Ok, back on topic.

Looks like the draw bar is the culprit. Apparently it's shorting out against the frame. Bypassing the draw bar by hardwiring the motor back to the the Decoder in the tender seems to be the fix.

I'll mod mine when it arrives.

That seems like a shame to have to do that.  My M1 kitbash is permanently drawbar-coupled together (my decoder's in the tender too) and it makes it a hassle to work on.

[UP_Phill]

Ok, back on topic.

Looks like the draw bar is the culprit. Apparently it's shorting out against the frame. Bypassing the draw bar by hardwiring the motor back to the the Decoder in the tender seems to be the fix.

I'll mod mine when it arrives.

That seems like a shame to have to do that.  My M1 kitbash is permanently drawbar-coupled together (my decoder's in the tender too) and it makes it a hassle to work on.

I'll use a plug and socket under the tender to facilitate tender removal.

[wcfn100]

Looks like the draw bar is the culprit.

Wonder why it's only in DCC then.


Jason

[wm3798]

Might be the lighting circuit.  It wouldn't matter in DC, but it sure does in DCC...  Digitrax has frequently repaired and replaced the evidence...
Lee

[wcfn100]

Might be the lighting circuit.  It wouldn't matter in DC, but it sure does in DCC...  Digitrax has frequently repaired and replaced the evidence...
Lee

Sounds familiar,  maybe when you say it, it'll be true.    ;D

I've been put in my place that is is not the light board (is there a different lighting circuit?).  But there was no other reason given for the problem.  If I was right I'm peeing all over Trainboard.


Jason