DCS Hudson broken ? All fixed

Sounds like it needs to go to a tech for the board to be tested. You could try the usual.

Does it run in conventional? How's the battery condition?

If its PS3 then it has a BCR. Might be time for a pro to look at it (not me). If you decide to sell it let me know. 

Pete

Hi Joe...I think it has to go to shop, in conventional it starts but does not respond to commands. No battery ps-3 conversion.   Darn I really like this old Hudson.

Clem

PS thanks Pete

Its worth fixing Clem. They really haven't changed much over the years. The newest ones have cab decks and curtains but otherwise the same.

Pete

I assume you do not have a TVS connected?  You must be able to have the power cut off rapidly in the event of a short.  You most likely damaged the ps2/3 board.  It must be tested.

bruce

bruce benzie posted:

I assume you do not have a TVS connected?  You must be able to have the power cut off rapidly in the event of a short.  You most likely damaged the ps2/3 board.  It must be tested.

bruce

wouldn't the TIU offer the TVS protection?

( I know it's probably a one time thing....)

I put fast blow fuses in my lines between the bricks and the TIU. The Lionel 180s I use, trip before I can (or the fuses) react.

No TVS that I know of, do TVS wear out?

Clem has a large layout and the way I see it the TVS diodes in the TIU wouldn't be enough. 

Clem you could place some TVS diodes around your layout to try to prevent something like this from happening in the future.

I forget how you power your layout Clem? Z4000s? or Lionel bricks?

There are TVS things inside the TIU if you're wired in regular. I don't think they'd do anything in passive wiring?

Man that sucks.  Best way to prevent this in the future is PSX-AC.  Never have blown a board since installing these

Clem I went to the new jersey highrailers this past weekend and talked to Ben there club president! he told me the best thing they ever added to there layout was the PSX-AC system  Ben told me they never have blown a board since installing the PSX-AC system trip instantly without any damage! he highly recommends it! and there not very expensive!

Alan

https://tonystrains.com/produc...psx1-circuit-breaker

check these out there much cheaper then boards!

I would still try a conventional reset. But....What do I know? 

I've had brand new engines right out of the box needing resets.

I have a Tony's breaker thing sitting here that I never hooked up. I have three layouts and haven't blown a board yet (from a derail!). Maybe it's from running mainly 2 rails? or just luck? I run big consists with lots of engines.

I like the Lionel 180w bricks so much that I pulled my Z4000 off my outside main and installed 2 more bricks. I use the Z4000 strictly for 3 rail loop. I should look into connecting that breaker on that loop I guess.

Clem, As Joe stated try a conventional reset.  Also, are you sure the TIU is still functional, not damaged in the spike.

Pete, PS-3 do not have BCRs.  It is an integrated board that has super capacitors installed.  G

No TVS that I know of, do TVS wear out? Clem

no they don't really wear out but they due usually short when they catch the spike there designed to catch ! then you have to track down which tvs diode failed where ever you installed it. there inside  tiu's  and some guys install them at there power feeds around there layout. 

GGG posted:

Clem, As Joe stated try a conventional reset.  Also, are you sure the TIU is still functional, not damaged in the spike.

Pete, PS-3 do not have BCRs.  It is an integrated board that has super capacitors installed.  G

Semantics. Aren't BCRs just super capacitors?

Pete

Alan Mancus posted:

No TVS that I know of, do TVS wear out? Clem

no they don't really wear out but they due usually short when they catch the spike there designed to catch ! then you have to track down which tvs diode failed where ever you installed it. there inside  tiu's  and some guys install them at there power feeds around there layout. 

Yes they do degrade as the absorb spikes, and while they may "usually" fail shorted, they can fail open.  How about we resolve his engine problem first, before we continue to criticize whether he had a TVS or some other track issue.  G

Alan, your link is for DCC. Here is the PSX-AC.

Joe .... I tried the feature reset and the Factory reset first, I'm using four lionel 180 bricks in four blocks, four tiu channels. The 180 in that block tripped. I also have relays that trip sometimes faster than the 180's.

GGG.......The TIU still works, I used it right after the derailment and for the last couple of days.

How is the conventional reset done ?

  I'll have to look that up somewhere. I use a Z4000 at my bench. I also use 100% of the power of the 180 bricks.  My last video started popping breakers if smoke is turned on. Last time I did this with a Z4000,  I had a constant 10 amp current draw.  Z4000 can do that longer than a brick.

Is putting the TVS at power drops good ? 

FYI  this was an operator error 

Gary...... I watched the video I need more than 8 amps and not sure I should go to 12 ?

clem k posted:

 

How is the conventional reset done ?

---

 

https://youtu.be/RGt6LvTHQJ4

Thank you Joe I'll try it now.

Ok tried that   1 horn 5 bell   Nothing............................  sounds come up, direction button works, no headlight though, whistle works, no smoke.

Clem

Hmmm?? it does take some practice to get the timing right.

Also, for some unknown reason to me, some engines take several tries. I think when they are scrambled, they refuse to take orders! 

Watch how high you have the track voltage!

Thanks joe,    does it matter which handle i use ?   I tried it a few times .

thanks for the info John

clem k posted:

Thanks joe,    does it matter which handle i use ?   I tried it a few times .

Not that I know of? I had a scrambled engine not do the reset thing after several tries. I came up stairs and watched the video by Stan and went back down to try again. On about the third try of that session, all of a sudden I got the two horn blasts.

Something else occurred to me. I have seen posts suggesting reloading the sound files in this case. If I'm correct here, that would force an engine reset upon completion of the file load. I haven't had to do this but it might be just the ticket here for you Clem?

Clem,  Since we are not completely sure what the upgrade was, what we do know is that the engine no longer sees the watch dog and starts in conventional. So that is a problem.  We also know it is not taking a conventional reset and all features not working, though you do have sounds.  So the best bet is to get the board tested and move on from there.  I am sure it can be repaired.  But it may need a board replacement.  G

Thanks GGG.......I'll call the service tech that did the install, this locomotive was just there last week for running 10mph faster than the other DCS locomotives. Easy fix this locomotive was weathered and overspray got on the flywheel stripes, just remove the overspray good as new. I'll keep you posted on the repair.

Clem

Hmm overspray? Maybe some overspray got on the boards as well?

John ......I don't think so ?  It was running really good until the derailment.............Clem

How much faster does a PSX open than a PH-180 breaker?

Norton, "BCR" is a trade name, a brand, for a device that uses supercapacitors.  In the 9-volt version, the BCR manufacturer uses zener diodes to assure all of the in-series supercaps charge equally, and they do have a patent.  In the 3-volt version, I don't believe there are zener diodes.  All of my PS2 locos have home-built 3-volt supercaps, but they are not made by the BCR manufacturer and therefore are not BCRs.  (RJR's?)

Back before WWII, many people called any brand refrigerator a "Frigidaire" after a then-dominant brand (made by General Motors).  Same with the use of "BCR."

No breaker opens fast enough to quash a EMI spike, that's what frequently kills electronic boards.  That's why the TVS is used as well.

Clem,

The PSX-AC, you can select what your max current limit is. Anywhere from 5 to 18 amps if my memory serves. I had to move mine up to 12 amps when running a couple of trains with lighted passenger cars.

GRJ, I realize that, but I'm wondering whether, if one uses PH-180s, there is anything to be gained by adding a PSX.

If he uses the PH-180, I don't see the PSX-AC as enough of an improvement to warrant the expense.  Adding a TVS or two, OTOH, is cheap insurance and will help.

Clem I have TVS diodes at my house that I can give you when i see you next.  I just solder them into a two place barrier strip which makes it easy to connect up to your power drops.  Let me know.

Thank you Charlie ! I think ill take you up on that offer...............Clem  

OK back from the tech   All is well in my little world again.   The board checked out ok   Couldn't figure out  for the longest time,   It turned out to be the tether, where the wires come into the plug a part time connection   Replaced that and did a little re-engineering and runs like a champ now maybe better than it was . So after more thinking, jogging of memory on my part, thinking on his part. Kinda figured out what happened. remember I said there was a derailment causing a short, this train was rear ended by another 7 trains 1 loop. What we surmise is the collision happened because this Hudson stalled, because the tether failed. the tether failed because  a year ago I had him remove the Anaconda cable and replace with a straight plug, looks really good   I have large curves"120" so I shortened the draw bar and that put undo stress on the tether.    I anyhow all is good all i am going to do now is enlarge the opening in the tender some more we did some a year ago but will do more.

Thank you !!  everyone for the help the people on this forum are amazing 

I'm glad this is fixed. I have had a tether fail on me so I know what happens. Mine were just failed solder joints.

I'm still confused on why the engine would not reset then?