dcc decoders

[Shawn in Virginia]

Has anyone had trouble with backwards compatable decoders?  I'm currently dc only, and have had 2 burn up (athearn)
and one just simply quit (bachmann).  The ones that burned up actually softened the tender shells slightly in the
location where the component was located.  The other the lights worked, but engine wouldn't move.  In all cases,
the decoders were removed and wireing patched to allow the locomotives to operate on dc only.  The locos are a
Big Boy, Challenger, and a DD40.  I'm running on atlas track and customline turnouts.

[skipgear]

What are you using for DC power?

The Challenger and Big Boy are known to have failures if the voltage is too high. They mention in their instructions that the track voltage should not exceed 12V. Also transformers with pulse power can wreak havoc on DCC decoders confusing them and causing shut downs, lock ups and other issues.

[Franz T]

Also transformers with pulse power can wreak havoc on DCC decoders confusing them and causing shut downs, lock ups and other issues.

Which brings me to what might be a dumb question: I remember  those old  MRC power packs (the metal ones) from the 60's with the pulse power switches on them. IIRC, those pulse power setting were for getting some sort of slow speed out of the rather crude motors of the time, primarily the ones in Horribly Oversized (which I was modeling back then).  I am using a MRC TechII power pack which has a "Momentum", not a Pulse, switch which essentially ramps up the speed to the throttle setting. Is this different from pulse power or can it still play havoc on DCC decoders running on DC??

[Shawn in Virginia]

I'm useing 2 new mrc railpower 1320 s.  Was in n model rail 35 years ago, and got back into it 5 years ago
when I retired from the construction industry. DCC is new to me as would be on someone just entering
the hobby.  I have learned quite a bit since my return to the hobby,  but there are still some grey aerias
that I am not sure of.  That is one reason I am still DC only.

[Jerrys HO]

Interesting post to read here. Lot's of info.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,20674.0.html

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,19250.0.html

Jerry