Bachmann Spectrum HO Steam Loco with sound--problems

[jobfather]

Just got a new Heavy Mountain 4-8-2 with Tsunami sound.  When I place loco and tender on track, tender "sounds" right and makes noises based on voltage (increases etc) but loco never moves...light doesn't even come on.  Double checked 2 plugs and are seated firmly.  Dealer says loco needs to "timed" in DCC per Bachmann....not even sure what that all means.  My feeling is that loco is defective.  Anyone care to offer any similar experiences here.....I'm ready to just return it and scratch Bachmann.

[Texas Zepher]

Just got a new Heavy Mountain 4-8-2 with Tsunami sound.  When I place loco and tender on track, tender "sounds" right and makes noises based on voltage (increases etc) but loco never moves...light doesn't even come on.  Double checked 2 plugs and are seated firmly.  .. My feeling is that loco is defective. .....I'm ready to just return it and scratch Bachmann.

I agree something is defective.  If it is chuffing away and not even trying to move it sounds like no power is getting to the motor.  This could be the motor itself, the wiring harness, or the output from the sound module.    As for the light, if this is DCC controlled, one needs to press the "zero" button to turn on the headlamp. 

[Anonymous]

That bit about being timed sounds like a lot of bulldust to me. I bet he can't explain it nor can he demonstrate it.

Rgds ian

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry but in all the excitment i forgot, i think you have a faulty decoder or connections thereto.

Rgds Ian

[devils]

I've installed 3 tsunamis and never heard anything about timing to a manufacturer! It's not in the manual so he probably means timing the chuff sounds to wheel revolutions which you can't do if the loco doesn't move, (should be pretty close out of the box anyway!). Certainly sounds like a fault just a couple of things, are you using DCC or DC?, small DC packs struggle to put out enough power for loco and sound. I had an almost identical problem when I first ran a sound loco in G scale and tested it on a low power supply, (turned out it only put out 1/2 amp), when I used more powerful controller it was fine. Don't give up on the bachmann brand one of mine is in a bachmann loco and it works great.

Re-post this on the model railroader forum as you might find someone with a similar experience with these locos, you're on garden railways at the moment,

Paul

[simisal]

This may sound like a crazy question, I'm not familliar with that particukar decoder but most decoders are set at 03 to begin with. Either you did not have your controller set for 03 or the decoder is defective if hooked up properly.

Chuck

 

[cacole]

The default address of all decoders is 3.  Try setting your DCC throttle on address 3 and see if the engine will move.  The FL or 0 key should turn the headlight on and off.  If this does't work, then I'd consider taking it back to the place of purchase if you're sure the wiring between the tender and locomotive is firmly plugged in.