OK...so I have recently got out of my armchair and started to put together a small HO layout. Being a tech geek I bought a pretty swift Alco RSD 40 with sound and DCC. I also bought the newest, latest and greatest infared wireless DCC controller from Bachman. It has been pretty frustrating...or maybe I am jst used to the old way (DC) where the train accelerated when you applied throttle...not a minute or so later and it stopped when you wanted it to. Surely this is not a fact of life with all DCC is it? I think it is a problem with the infared link, but my local retailer and bachman are both clueless. Did I jump too far ahead technology wise? Should I have started with a hardwired DCC? Any recomendations?
Thanks
You might get some information at the Bachmann forums. Some use the same controller and Bachmann configured DCC locos.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/
Try the General Discussion section. The group is fairly active.
Another group not so active is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bachmann_DCC/
Both you have to join to post. The first group will be the most helpful.
Rich
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Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
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setting cv3 and cv4 to 0 will remove all the momentum from the loco.
3 sets acceleration, and 4 sets deceleration.
my normal startingpoints are
cv3=4
cv4=7
I agree with river_eagle. If the value of CV3 is too high, the engine will take a long time to speed up, and if the value of CV4 is too high, it will take too long to stop.
Most out-of-the-box decoders come with both of these set to zero. It may be that your engine was pre-programmed with some "momentum" in these values. If so, it sound like they got it wrong.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
If you're really a tech geek, you should know that IR is strictly line-of-sight with limited range, so you must point the controller directly at the receiver with no obstructions between you and the receiver, or it isn't going to work.
As David has wisely pointed out, the Bachmann DCC system is one of the worst choices you could have made.
Yes, as the above posts have said, DCC decoders are designed to simulate a real locomotives acceleration and deceleration properties.
And as has also been mentioned, IR is a line-of-site system.
I've seen pictures of the new Bachmann system, and it looks very hi-tech. But I did a poll a couple of months ago on DCC systems. Of the people who responded, 71% had purchased either Digitrax or NCE. Compare that to only 4% of those who responded that were Bachmann owners (nine units out of 222 DCC owners).
Here is a link to the full results.
Thanks all....SD-40...sorry...fat fingers. It is a Broadway limited with a factory installed sound and decoder. I understand the momentum settings...the unit responds slowly to all commands...lights, horn, bells, etc. I hold the transmit unit 3 feet away from the head unit and still can't get fast response. The issue is definatley an IR link issue and I have talked with bachman tech support but they are clueless (extremely nice, but clueless).
Anyway...I have my answer...should have gone with a more seasoned unit (digitrax or equivalent)
Thanks for helping this rookie along.
I have a Bachmann Dynamis, it works with no problems with either the infrared link or response to commands and is very easy to use.
I often wonder whether those who are so quick to criticise items of equipment on this forum have actually seen or used whatever they consider to be "poor" or "dead-end" or are they merely repeating what somebody else has said?
We all have different requirements in what we want and because an item of equipment or locomotive etc. does not suit your needs does not necessarily mean it is of poor quality or not suitable for another user.
I have noticed there is often a tendency to criticise certain manufacturers (not only Bachmann) and to immediately assume all their products are rubbish, which cannot be true otherwise they would not stay in business.
Dave
As I will have no need to expand my system in the foreseeable future it was not not an issue about which I needed to worry.
I made a general statement with regard to criticism of particular manufacturers, nowhere did I use the word "you". Should you wish to interpret it this way that is your prerogative.
Bachmann clearly states in their manual that because of the momentum function, you have to plan ahead when starting and stopping your trains. I imagine changing the start/stop CV's as mentioned corrects this. This was NOT an option in their cheaper EZ Command system. Did you mount mount your IR receiver like the manual said to? (no obstructions?) I believe it says to mount it as high as possible in a central location.
Dave- The Dynamis is about $160 complete for a 2.3 amp system. Other than the PE, what else is available in that price range? (please include the cost of a hand held controller and power supply if they are not included)
Edit-I see the NCE Power Cab is around that price and it now ships WITH a power supply. (I believe that used to be extra)
loathar wrote: Edit-I see the NCE Power Cab is around that price and it now ships WITH a power supply. (I believe that used to be extra)
Loathar,
I'm a big fan of NCE and the PowerCab, especially as an entry-level system. But the PowerCab at $150+shipping is a (firmly) tethered system. To convert it to (radio) wireless would cost more than the PowerCab itself does.
I don't know the capabilities of the Dynamis, and how it compares feature-for-feature with the PowerCab. But it does offer IR (line-of-sight) wireless capability in the basic package.
DennisK wrote:Thanks all....SD-40...sorry...fat fingers. It is a Broadway limited with a factory installed sound and decoder. I understand the momentum settings...the unit responds slowly to all commands...lights, horn, bells, etc. I hold the transmit unit 3 feet away from the head unit and still can't get fast response. The issue is definatley an IR link issue and I have talked with bachman tech support but they are clueless (extremely nice, but clueless). Anyway...I have my answer...should have gone with a more seasoned unit (digitrax or equivalent) Thanks for helping this rookie along.
sounds like you should return the item as defective . there should be little or no delay when using the lights , bells etc.
ask if you can exchange it for a different unit , but don't be surprised if you're asked to pay a restocking fee , after all the unit is no longer new and the store won't be able to sell it at the new price
ernie