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Getting a Spectrum DCC engine to run in DC?

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  • Member since
    March 2009
  • 802 posts
Getting a Spectrum DCC engine to run in DC?
Posted by rjake4454 on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 2:28 PM

I've been running my spectrum 2-8-0 on DCC for the past few years, and I am now trying to run it on some DC powered track, but no luck. How do I get to run in DC mode?

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 2:31 PM

What decoder is in the model? 

You should be able to simply reset CV 29 to get it to run on DC if it has a dual mode decoder installed.

If you have the decoder set to a short address, set CV 29 to a value of 6; if a long address, set CV 29 to 38.

If it still doesn't run on DC, then the decoder is not a dual mode type.

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 2:41 PM

  Some of the Spectrum steamers came with a Soundtraxx LC series sound decoder - they will not work on DC(and DC may damage the decoder).  The current ones have a Soundtraxx Tsunami decoder.

Jim

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 3:00 PM

You did not mention sound.

Those are the Bachmann factory installed non-sound decoders. They are a low end Lenz the last I knew.

Do a reset of the decoder and the decoder should respond to DC.

I do not believe the sound decoders where in the 2-8-0 at that time period.

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.

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • 802 posts
Posted by rjake4454 on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 3:05 PM

Yeah its a non sound engine. Rats, the DCC system is down right now, I guess I can't run this thing in DC since I can't reset.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 4:29 PM

Most decoder equipped engines are set to run out of the box on DC or DCC. Some of them have a CV you can set so they only respond to DCC.

Stix
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 6:17 PM

The below document might be some help for doing a DCC reset. Save it to your hard drive.

http://00200530.pdl.pscdn.net/002/00530/MRH04/DCC%20Shortcuts%20Card.pdf

Go to the Bachmann site below and click on the DCC ON BOARD Icon. Download and save the document to your hard drive. That is the 1 amp DCC On Board decoder documentation. You might consider joining the Bachmann forums. There Bachmann DCC users there.

If you ever get a Bachmann factory sound equipped loco, click on the DCC sound Icon and get the manual.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dcc.php

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.

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