I have been a model railroader for 52 years, and a DCC user since the turn of the millennium (not a newbie).? Started with an NCE Power Pro, it gave up the ghost after 20+ years, so I bought a TCS CS-105 about 9 months ago.? I am, however, new to JMRI.? I downloaded it about 3 months ago, and started exploring OperationsPro to get switch lists generated.? This has been a formidable task, it is a very complicated program, and I put a hold on it in order to start using DecoderPro, which seemed to be relatively intuitive and a heckuva a lot simpler than programming with the throttle.? What I have found is very strange, I have also posted on the TCS users group but gotten very little in reply.
I'm not picky about decoders, and use a variety of them from various manufacturers, mainly Digitrax, NCE, and TCS.? I don't think this is a decoder problem, as it has happened with all of them, both hardwired and plugged varieties.? I will test a new decoder with an NCE DTK to make sure it is functional before installation.? After installation, the loco goes on the programming track, and it accepts programming just fine and the data is saved.? Then it goes on the rails, and operates just fine with the new programming.? But THE NEXT DAY, when I try to run the loco, it will not move.? Often, the lights and sound will work, but sometimes none of it works.? Back to programming track, review programming, save it again, and back on the rails with zero results - does not run.? CS-105 has worked well and has been used in several op sessions with no problems.? Since this has only started happening after I started using DecoderPro, I feel like there is something wrong there, either in the program or how I am using it.? I pulled the decoders out of the locos and put them on the DTK - no motor control on any of them.? Decoder goes in the trash.? I have spent well over $200 in new decoders in the past 3 months, and THEY all get fried.? Voltage on rails is 14.8 - 15.1 volts per RRampmeter.? I am about at the end of my rope with this problem.? Has anyone else experienced this, and what was the cure?? ANY suggestions are welcome, and thanks!
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