MTH DCC issues

Mike i run mth 3.0 dcc sometimes with out issue with digitrax but if im not mistaken the tec6 if a dc power pack that will play dcc sound decoders but think the track power is dc not dcc

One of the guys in our group who is very active in the NMRA said they rate things with two different terms.    These are "compliant" and "compatible".    He said compliant means that the board (decoder) is fully compliant with ALL NMRA standards for DCC.     He said compatible means that the board supports some DCC features but not all.      At the time, he said MTH DCC stuff was compatible, not compliant.     That may have changed by now or there could be a something that the MTH decoder interpreted differently than the DCC command station expected.      Generally this seemed to be that the compatible stuff would run the trains, but not support the fine tuning for speed curves and/or sound and light features.

As Doug said the tech6 is for DC only. If your running dcc there is no need for the tech6.

Dave

Interesting, I have used the Tech 6 for years on DCC.  It is great for programming decoders, setting CV's etc.  I know it gives you the option for DC analog OR DCC, I have always used the latter.  

Cadillac Mike posted:

Interesting, I have used the Tech 6 for years on DCC.  It is great for programming decoders, setting CV's etc.  I know it gives you the option for DC analog OR DCC, I have always used the latter.  

Mike, have you tried doing the DCC reset from the MRC?     SHIFT 9, 9

That will reset the DCC decoder in the loco and assign it #3.

The MRC Tech6 is a cool item, being able to run dc or dc/dcc, as you stated.

Will try it tonight, thanks for the advice. Looks like a great little engine if I can get her up and running.  

Update; the reset worked and the loco ran great for about 20 minutes until it derailed and the pony truck shorted on the steam chest.  Although the track circuit breaker tripped, I guess it was not fast enough because the DCS board is now officially fried. I get nothing at all out of the engine to indicate there is any life.  Oh well, that was the quickest $500 I have ever lost and I think I have made my mind up to stick with traditional DCC decoders I can install myself since I have not had this kind of problem in nearly 20 years. I have to say I am disappointed in this product since it was wiped out in less than two seconds on no more than 14 volts.  

Wow! Sorry to hear that. I have a bunch of MTH 2 rail locomotives and that is really scary that a simple short circuit blows out a $200 DCS board. I hope you can get it fixed at some point. 

Wow, I agree with Phil, that is scary to wipe out a board with a derailment. I being in S gauge and running the Legacy system had requested of MTH before they actually got production started to make their engines available without the electronics. Now hearing this I will totally avoid their locomotives.

Ray

I have a great running MTH Chicago Great Western F3 that seems to be fine.  I think the issue with the steamer was the metal wheels contacting the diecast loco shell. Luckily, I do not have a lot of derailments, the front truck on the 2-8-0 split a switch point which caused the catastrophe.  Unlike brass models, the MTH drive rods do not appear to be articulated so all the drive wheel geometry is not as forgiving.  I think I will stick with electrics,  diesels and 0-6-0's from now on and will probably put a conventional DCC decoder in the MTH steamer at some point when I feel like tinkering.