Dead DT402

[bnsf971]

My command station/DCC system woes from last year seem to be continuing. Last August, August 11 to be exact, I bought a Digitrax DB150 and a new DT402 to use it. It worked well until about an hour ago, at which point the DT402 died. The LCD display went out, the little utility light on top of the throttle lit and won't turn off, and there are now several dim grey blocks on the display. From what I've found out online (Digitrax is closed today), the throttle will need to go back to be repaired.
I'm not a happy camper. I've been a proponent of Digitrax since they started, but enough is enough.
Who here on the forum uses NCE, and how do you like it?

[kentuckysouthernrwy]

NCE is the default system for the majority of layouts in the Lansing MI area. I changed from LENZ myself to NCE when I came upon a almost new set. I had no major problems with the LENZ but the NCE is much easier to use and I have local backup gurus if I need them.

[john]

I have been using NCE since 2001, and other than a couple of up grades it has been trouble free. Also the radio is rock solid(there were some problems when it was first released but have long since been corrected).
John Sawaska
Wisconsin Rapids, Wi

[riogrande]

Have you contacted Digitrax and spoken to someone on the phone about the situation? They might like to have a go at keeping you from switching to the "dark side". Just kidding about the dark side, but you get my drift.

Digitrax is reportely every bit as reliable as NCE, and seems to have an equally large base of satisified users. My opinion of NCE is that it is on par with Digitrax products and I gave both a very close look before going with Digitrax. It basically came down to controllers for me but I thought both systems were very good and had all the features I would ever need.

So bottom line I would talk to Digitrax cust service reps and explain you situation and ask them if they can do something to remedy it as you are considering switching and leaving them behind. If they refuse, then at least you gave them a chance to win you back if that matters to them.

[Paul Cutler III]

One thing to try that Digitrax told me to do was to open the DT402 case and push down on the computer chip inside. It's possible that it's been jarred loose somehow from it's socket. I know once I sent my DT400R in for service with a similar problem. They returned it, free of charge, because all they did was push the chip back in.

To open the case of any DT400 case, remove the battery cover, and remove the two screws in the corners of the battery area. Then the case slides apart at the mid seam (push up on the rear and down on the front. Next, pry the two halves apart (sometimes a small screwdriver can help). It might take a little force, but I've done a couple dozen of these and I haven't broken one yet (I install on-off switches for members at my club).

[bnsf971]

Feb 24, 2013 11:00:16 GMT -8 Paul Cutler III said:

One thing to try that Digitrax told me to do was to open the DT402 case and push down on the computer chip inside. It's possible that it's been jarred loose somehow from it's socket. I know once I sent my DT400R in for service with a similar problem. They returned it, free of charge, because all they did was push the chip back in.

To open the case of any DT400 case, remove the battery cover, and remove the two screws in the corners of the battery area. Then the case slides apart at the mid seam (push up on the rear and down on the front. Next, pry the two halves apart (sometimes a small screwdriver can help). It might take a little force, but I've done a couple dozen of these and I haven't broken one yet (I install on-off switches for members at my club).

Paul, I just took the throttle apart like you described and pushed on the chip. It didn't seem loose, and I couldn't feel it move at all. However, when I put it back together and plugged it in, it works. Thanks for the tip. Of course, now it emits a high-pitched electronic buzz when it's plugged in. Maybe it will stop squealing eventually.
I think I'll call Digitrax tomorrow anyway, tell them what all has transpired, and go from there. It had to fail on a Saturday afternoon...

[bnsf971]

Well, I called Digitrax, and by opening it I voided my warranty. I hope it continues working. I guess that is one of the hazards of free advice, you get what you pay for.

[bnsf971]

In the grand tradition of Murphy's law, the thing quit working yesterday evening. Maybe I should start collecting stamps, there are no electronics to fail in them.

[Paul Cutler III]

Terry,
The only reason why I didn't bring it up is that when I talked to Digitrax in person at the Springfield show a couple years ago, they laughed off the notion of "opening the case voids the warranty". The guy told me that it didn't matter.

Let me put it this way: how would they know unless you tell them? In the olden days of the original DT400's (et al), there used to be a metal foil sticker in the battery compartment that said "Warranty Void if Removed". All the later generation of DT400's (including all DT402's) do not have this sticker. So unless you've done some modification to the case, how could they tell?

IMHO, at this point, I would send it in and just say it stopped working. They may or may not charge you for the fix. It depends what is wrong. The chip may be bad...the socket may be bad. Who knows? Heck, one time I turned in a broken DT400R to them from my club, and they gave us a brand new throttle because they couldn't fix the old one. They charged us the repair fee and that was it.

[bnsf971]

Feb 27, 2013 7:33:44 GMT -8 Paul Cutler III said:

Terry,
The only reason why I didn't bring it up is that when I talked to Digitrax in person at the Springfield show a couple years ago, they laughed off the notion of "opening the case voids the warranty". The guy told me that it didn't matter.

Let me put it this way: how would they know unless you tell them? In the olden days of the original DT400's (et al), there used to be a metal foil sticker in the battery compartment that said "Warranty Void if Removed". All the later generation of DT400's (including all DT402's) do not have this sticker. So unless you've done some modification to the case, how could they tell?

IMHO, at this point, I would send it in and just say it stopped working. They may or may not charge you for the fix. It depends what is wrong. The chip may be bad...the socket may be bad. Who knows? Heck, one time I turned in a broken DT400R to them from my club, and they gave us a brand new throttle because they couldn't fix the old one. They charged us the repair fee and that was it.

I did nick one edge of the case when I took it apart, and they could plainly see it if they looked. So, I am taking a page from our politicians. I have to go to my LHS Saturday anyway. I will take it along with me, and ask them to take a look at it. They probably won't be able to fix it, and will tell me to send it in for repair. When I send a note with it, I will tell Digitrax I took it back to my LHS, and they told me to return it. That will lead them to assume the LHS opened it. There's a fine line in there somewhere, but as long as Digitrax (repair) doesn't ask, I won't tell them who opened it, if anyone.