My K line engine is currently equipped with the Blunami steam decoder 4408. One of my loops has a 2% incline. It is on this loop that the train gradually slows down until it eventually stops all together. While it is stopped, the motor produces a loud crackly hum until I back off the throttle completely. This happens with only 8-10 train cars behind. It should be able to pull much more. This is similar behavior to a conventional engine that eventually comes to a crawl.
What I have tried:
1. I have installed a custom made AC to DC converter from Amazon that powers the decoder linked here https://a.co/d/g6QMQdu. The converter puts out a constant 22.5 Volts DC which is well within the range of the decoder's operating voltage.
2. When I run the train on my outer loop with a very small incline, it eventually crawls to a stop, but it takes much longer.
3. I checked voltages. Voltage from power supply is a constant 16.9 - 17 Volts AC. Track Voltage fluctuates from 16.5 VAC - 15.5 VAC. At the time the train stops, it is at 15.5ish VAC.
As the engine begins its gradual slowing down, I see that the voltage display on the Blunami App starts at around 19 volts and gets down to 12-13 VDC when the engine has finally stopped.
Could the motor be going bad? It sounds like when my 90s Lionel conventional motor is struggling to get going. I have attached a video that plays back the sound the engine is making as well as a photo of the motor.
Could it be my power supply? I'm powering my layout with a 180Watt Lionel Powerhouse that is feeding a TMCC Base 1 Command Base and a Trainmaster PM-1 Powermaster. All three pieces seem to be working fine. I am also using a small Lionel transformer to power my switches and a CW 80 to power my other accessories. They are not in anyway connected to my track power supply.
The engine was equipped with TMCC electronics that were dead on arrival which is why I installed the decoder.
Early on in the install process, I unfortunately fried the speaker circuitry when one of the speaker wires came loose inside. Remarkably, the rest of the decoder seems to be working fine. Before I decide to purchase a new decoder to see if that was the issue, I'd like to exhaust all other possibilities.
I'm out of ideas and knowledge at this point. I'm hoping someone here can help steer me in the right direction.
Thank you all in advanced.
