TCS CN-GP Decoder Speed Step Issue

[peteski]

So I pulled it apart again to check the circuit board connections.  It is important that all 4 of the CN-GP decoder- to-frame electrical points are making good contact.  I had 1 out of those 4 points that was not making good contact.  The offending board was held tightly in place... but just by one side.  On closer inspection the opposing side was loose.  I tapped (with punch and light hammer) all of the frame "ears" down onto the decoder pick-up sections to insure that they were making better contact, and can happily report that stability is much better.   
Over freshly cleaned track it runs very well now.  Once the track sees a number of freights move around the layout, this unit's performance starts to deteriorate from dirt accumulation on the rails.  Then it is back to the blinking headlight and hiccup with resumption of speed, but no more complete stalling has been noted.  The Digitrax and Zimo decoders (currently installed in the same SD40/45 chassis) run well on the same track sections, with at worst a slight flicker of the headlight.  Maybe I am still missing something.... but a significant improvement at this point.

Jeff

Couple of things:
1. And you try to install one of those "better" decoders in the problem chassis?  That would positively prove or disprove that the CN decoder is inferior to the others (in handling intermittent power loss).  Or the other way around, take the CN decoder and install it in one of those better-running chassis.

2. Due to its inherent design, the CN decoder is more sensitive than the other brands to intermittent power loss.  Every decoder uses different internal hardware and programming and the CN might just different.

[sp org div]

#2, but I suppose that really does need to be followed up on...
Im thinking replace it with another DZ126 and then I will know for sure what my list of decoder preferences are... for now.
Loksound is soon to be my decoder of choice if these Kabo SDP40f units keep working as good as the first couple laps around the layout... the extended wait for their narrow board to go live has been killin me.
J