Hello everyone!
I have a Bachman GP30 DCC on board and I want to install a new decoder. I think Bachman is a basic decoder because the motor is poor running. I am a novice but I want to install the new decoder myself.
This is a picture of the Bachman decoder:http://yfrog.com/0xdscf1652wj
Can you help me?
While these aren't the best decoders in the world, they should be at least adequate. So, unless you have some other reason to replace the decoder, it's a good idea to run through the more common causes of poor performance before making an upgrade.
The most common causes of poor performance are dirty track and dirty wheels. The next is poor electrical distribution to the track. All of these cause jerky operation and stalling.
What are the symptoms of the "poor running" that you are seeing? Does the headlight remain on at constant brightness, or does it flicker and go out, too?
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No, it doesn´t . The headlight is ok . I want to tell the motor is too noisy. I think this decoder has no BEMF. That is my reason to replace the decoder.
If you have to hardwire, I have used a DZ125 decoder which is quite small. Do a Google search for Digitrax DZ125 and DZ143. Only two light functions for the 125 but the decoder has BEMF. There is a four function version, DZ143 if you have need four functions. It has BEMF also. There are other manufactures with small decoders that can handle 1 amp but make sure they have BEMF capability. Some economical decoders do not have BEMF.
No doubt you will have to use some ingenuity for the lighting and a resistor for the LED's. I have done that.
Do a Google search for dcc bemf.
Also, send an email to Litchfield Station. They have advised me about decoders before.
Ok, pickups, wheels. Have you cleaned them. I did not mean, do they look clean. I think the loco has contacts to transmit power between the trucks and frame. Not sure about that forthis loco though.
I know the Bachmann Shay has contacts between the trucks and frame and has been known to be an issue.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
soller No, it doesn´t . The headlight is ok . I want to tell the motor is too noisy. I think this decoder has no BEMF. That is my reason to replace the decoder.
If the headlight is steady, that tells me that the power pickup and track wiring are probably good.
If you want BEMF, the yes, you will need to replace the decoder. There are quite a few good decoders out there with BEMF. I suppose I should give my customary suggestion that you go to a train show or LHS and listen to some sound engines, as long as you're going to replace the decoder anyway. Sound is a personal choice, but as long as you're going to open the engine up and replace the decoder, this is time to go with sound if you ever plan to.
The noisy motor statement bothers me, though. It's probably not the motor, actually, but rather the gears. Take a look at them, and make sure they are free of molding defects, burrs and accumlated dirt. Clean them with alcohol, and then add some Labelle grease before putting things back together. If this is a new engine, it will likely need some break-in time anyway.
I have found this : http://www.ncedcc.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&product_id=51&flypage=garden_flypage.tpl&pop=0
A noisy motor and poor (unspecified by the OP) running characteristics are symptons of problems within the drive train, not the decoder.
Yes, installation of a good BEMF decoder will reduce the symptons by "masking" them. But even the best decoder cannot fix underlying drive train issues. My preference is to get the drive train running right first on goood old straight DC, then fine-tune the already-good performance with whatever the chosen technology is (BEMF in the OP's case, DC pulse throttles in mine).
Not mentioned in the other posts is cutting out the TV inteference suppression capacitors on the board. These apparently do interfere with good slow speed running. There is a post by Sheldon in the General forum about tuning Bachmann locomotives for better performance.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
fwright soller: No, it doesn´t . The headlight is ok . I want to tell the motor is too noisy. I think this decoder has no BEMF. That is my reason to replace the decoder. A noisy motor and poor (unspecified by the OP) running characteristics are symptons of problems within the drive train, not the decoder. Yes, installation of a good BEMF decoder will reduce the symptons by "masking" them. But even the best decoder cannot fix underlying drive train issues. My preference is to get the drive train running right first on goood old straight DC, then fine-tune the already-good performance with whatever the chosen technology is (BEMF in the OP's case, DC pulse throttles in mine). Not mentioned in the other posts is cutting out the TV inteference suppression capacitors on the board. These apparently do interfere with good slow speed running. There is a post by Sheldon in the General forum about tuning Bachmann locomotives for better performance. my thoughts, your choices Fred W
soller: No, it doesn´t . The headlight is ok . I want to tell the motor is too noisy. I think this decoder has no BEMF. That is my reason to replace the decoder.
Has anyone of those commenting on these Bachmann decoders actually compared them to a "real" decoder?
I have ripped all of the Bachmann DCC on board decoders out and I only use them to control lights and so on as they are RUBBISH. If you were to look up that word in a dictionary I would almost bet that it would be a pic of that decoder there!
All of the B-mann decoders I have tried has made the motor growl like a dinosaur with indigestion!
When replaced with a Lokpilot or other good decoder they run silent and is all that a decoder should be.
So do yourself a favour; replace it with a good aftermarket decoder.
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soller I have found this : http://www.ncedcc.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&product_id=51&flypage=garden_flypage.tpl&pop=0
For those who need to be led by the hand, Click on the Hyperlink and that will show you a replacemnt NCE decoder for the Bachman diesel with Silent running capability.
This is an EPF (extended packet format) decoder supporting: Silent Running TM motor drive Torque Compensation for ultra smooth low speed performance Includes golden white LEDs Programmable Start, Mid and Maximum speed works for all speed modes Four function outputs with independent lighting effects generators Select from 15 different lighting effects (Mars, strobes, beacons, flicker, etc) Function outputs can be mapped to different functions Two or Four digit addressing Uploadable speed table interpolated to 128 speed steps 28 and 128 Speed mode operation (always works internally