I have a couple of Roco Tauri, but both have no sound, and most likely ESU decoders. One in particular used to run OK around my M track layout, but once I expanded the layout (with C track), it now runs quite badly, stuttering its way around the track. The other (later) loco runs fine. I haven't as yet got to the bottom of the issue - all my Marklin locos run fine.

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

The 69685 has a Roco-Decoder 10738 decoder. Do you know if thats a zimo?

I might try cleaning the inner sides of the wheels. As it has 4 traction tires it leaves only 4 wheels to transfer the current. But as its brand new I d not expect much from that either.

Rinus

Rinus,

Roco locos sometimes play up.

track connections: you should have 4 connections to each bogie but sometimes they get dirt on them, being a brand new locon it doesn't sound like it this is the problem but sometimes they do not touch the wheel.
being an AC loco all wheel connection wires should be connected back to the circuit board. the slider also can cause problems, take the slider off and see if the spring leaves are clean and make sure the slider sits properly and level.
make sure the inside track is also clean and all the studs.

regards.,

John

Are you sure? They used a different number when they switched to Uhlenbrock decoders and I would be surprised to find they use the same old number for new Zimo decoders.

Try to read CV 8 under DCC - it's ESU if you get 151.
Some early 10738 do not support DCC. Some very early 10738 are Lenz decoders.

I just bought a Roco ÖBB Rh 1245 e-loco and it has a Zimo decoder in it and I've looked at the spare part list and it says 10738

The 78XXX models are equipped with Zimo decoders. However, I don't think that the issue is with the fact that it is Zimo. I think you would likely have a similar issue with an ESU or other decoder. If you can adjust the parameters for braking and acceleration, the lok might keep rolling long enough to avoid stopping over a spot where it loses contact.

If I remember the model correctly, it has four powered axles with two axles with rubber tires, one on each bogie. It is possible that this results in a situation where there is insufficient contact between wheels and rail to ensure a good ground contact. Make sure that the wheel contacts are properly contacting the wheels, so that the ground can be transmitted from each wheel to the common ground.

The other thing that I would try to do is to remove and reverse the direction of the whisper slider, which should eliminate the possibility of a contact issue with the center rail. I replaced the slider on one of my loks that was problematic and the operation improved with the new one. If the tongues on the slider feet are not making good contact with the slider itself, this can cause poor contact.

Regards

Mike C

This cannot be: model 78563 is announced with mfx - and Zimo do not make mfx decoders.
So it seems the Roco number scheme does not allow to tell the decoder brand from the ref. number.

The Taurus should have three powered axles. The acceleration and braking delay set in the decoder does not affect the brake time in case of a power loss.

CV8 on the 69685 reads 151, ESU.

On 68362 CV8 reads 85, which is Uhlenbrock. The part number for that decoder is 10732.



So, CV8 on that loco reads 145 then?

The 78563 is likely merely a repainted shell on an older model, so it is possible that it comes with the same circuit board and decoder as the original model of the class 140 that it is based on.

When Roco dropped ESU as supplier for it's OEM decoders and adopted Zimo as it's new supplier, it is likely that they still had a number of ESU decoders in stock. New models are designed with Zimo decoders/PluX22 while older models might still have 21 pin ESU connections and receive the OEM ESU decoder.

Regards

Mike C

it may help them in negotiating a better price but its not an advantage for us who use the ECoS or lokprogrammer

John

Absolutely my idea too. Its difficult enough allready to get to know one type of decoders well.

Why offer the selection of a decoder by choice of the customer? Its very usual in other branches as well to upgrade your purchase as one desires (for instance mountainbikes, cars etc...) ?