I have a Micro-Trains FT set that's been on the shelf for years. I ran them on my DC Christmas Tree loop, and both units ran great right out of the box. I decided to install decoders and get them on the layout. I purchased a pair of Digitrax DN163M0 decoders, knowing full well they were probably on the hobby shop shelf for almost as long as the FT's were. Anyway, I need some assistance...
I started with the B unit and installed the decoder per the instructions. On the programming track, the headlight would flash once and give me an error message. I re-checked everything with a DVM to verify the motor tabs were isolated from the frame, and the decoder pads were contacting the frame slots. Still no joy.
I turned to here, and found a thread from 2016 that included a tutorial on hard-wiring a decoder onto the MT light board. I had some small Lenz decoders on hand, so I tried it and it worked like a charm! The B unit is alive and well. (Note, no headlight - just four solder connections after making the cuts on the original light board.)
Turning to the A unit, I installed another Lenz decoder onto the original light board (six solder connections this time). Nothing - just error messages on the programming track. I removed the board and installed the other new-old-stock Digitrax decoder, with the same result as the first one - the headlight flashes once and then an error message.
So I am batting 0.250. Before I risk another decoder, any thoughts on that the problem might be? I have verified the motor tabs are isolated from the frame, and the pads on the circuit board are making contact with the frame. Photo of the B-unit install below.
Thanks in advance...
Ron