Help Needed With Bachmann DCC On Board

[pajrr]

Hi, I own several Bachmann diesels with DCC on Board. I have been operating them on straight DC and they run very well. I had a chance to operate a layout running with an MRC Prodigy Express DCC System so I brought a couple of my locos along. They were put on the rails, programmed and operated beautifully on DCC. My dillema is this: These two locos no longer operate at all on straight DC. Not even the headlight comes on. Is there some way to reset these locos to be DC/DCC again? Probably a code got switched somewhere. I could rewire these as straight DC locos, but is there some software change I could do with the MRC unit to reset the locos to factory settings? Any help you can provide will be appreciated. (My biggest problem is I have an A and B unit set. Only the A unit went to the DCC layout and now I can't use the A&B together!)

[retsignalmtr]

There should be a CV that switches off analog operation (DC). You might have to be on a DCC system to restore it to it's value to permit operating with DC.

[tstage]

paj,

Here's a handy link for you from Tony's Train Exchange web site:

How to Rescue a Faulty Decoder

Since the Bachmann DCC on Board locomotives come with a low-end Lenz decoder in them, the factory reset for them is CV8 = 33.  You'll have to do that with either the MRC or another DCC system.

Tom

[Swayin]

paj, 

I run the EZ Command system and have two deisels with Bachmann's Lenz decoders in them - and I think the previous poster is right - try taking it back to that layout and resetting the CV. I ran one Bachmann engine on DC and then hooked up my EZ Command and gave it an address, which it now recognizes as its own, so it won't run on Address 10 (DC) any longer.

One other option to consider: get yourself an EZ Command system (you can find them on the auction sites for $30-$40) and at least make yourself a test track hooked up to it. You could then program your engine(s) on that test track to run on address 10 - the DC address. Would be way easier than rewiring something that isn't really "broken" at all, and would be a fast and easy way to reprogram your engines if you run them elswhere again.

hope this helps - i'm usually the one asking for advice, not giving it!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Whoever programmed your locos wasn't thinking about the fact that you use DC at home and turned off the analog function of the decoders. When this function is turned off the loco will not run on DC power.

[pajrr]

Hi Everyone! Thank you for all your help! I was able to reprogram the locomotives to run on DC again. My FT A-B set is scheduled to run on an exhibit this weekend. I didn't need it going to "the backshop" with this problem! Thanks again for all your help.