N Scale Spectrum DCC Problem

[rlandry6]

I would like to hear from anyone who has installed a decoder in a Spectrum N Scale Consolidated with either good or bad results. Here's the deal....

I installed a Lenz decoder in a new Spectrum N Scale Connie. Using a Digitrax Zephyr with throttle settings marked 0-6, the Connie runs at the same speed with the throttle set wide open, as any of my other DCC locos with a speed setting of 2-3. The speed is cut approximately in half by going to DCC. I compared this against two other locos. It runs very smooth at low speeds, both forward and reverse so there's nothing binding, nor does the Connie run hot, it just runs slow... Very slow... I tried another Lenz decoder, and also a Digitrax with the same result.

I then converted the Connie back to DC, hooked up my DC throttle, and put the Connie on the same track with another Spectrum loco that Bachmann sent to me as a replacement a while back. It's brand new, and still DC. I ran both locos on the same track using the single power supply. The Connie was a little slower on the slow settings, while the diesel was faster at higher throttle settings, but I was able to find a spot in the mid range that the two locos ran at the same speed. That would indicate that the Connie is electrically and mechanically OK. Just as an additional check, I put an Atlas DC loco on the track with these two, and ran the three of them together. The two Spectrums ran together, but the Atlas ran circles around them both on all throttle settings. I guess that's another issue..

I was able to measure DCC voltages with the Connie running. 11VAC on the track, and 12.6VDC directly on the bruch holders on the Connie. Even if these voltages are a litle low, it's the same voltage that runs my other stuff without a problem, so i have to call it acceptable. I also check for solder bridging at either brush cap, thinking that maybe some AC was getting put on top of the DC going to the motor, but that showed nothing.

I'm open to any and al sugesstions from anyone who can think of something that I havn't thought to check, or what my problem might be.. As of now, this about wraps me up with Bachmann. I guess I'll grow to love my new expensive paper-weight..[:(!]

[cacole]

A Bachmann Spectrum steam engine is geared slower than diesel engines on purpose, because there are so many more moving parts that can be damaged or suffer from premature wear by running too fast.

The decoder problem might be solved by resetting CVs 2, 3, and 5. Check the documentation that came with the Lenz decoder to determine what these values are by default, and the maximum range to which they can be set. A Digitrax decoder, for example, comes with all of these values set at 00, and the decoder instructions tell you the absolute highest value that they will accept. A Lenz decoder's documentation should be similar.