Anyone own a Bachmann 484 Northern?

[JRP]

I have a new Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern for ATSF with built in motor decoder, but it just does not run well on my DCC track (it runs better when I change to DC). On DCC it is sluggish, picks up and then slows down along the track, and the large wheels struggle to make a complete revolution when I try and get it to creep slowly. My track is clean and other sound decoder equipped diesel engines run just fine on the same track, so I know it's not dirty rails. Is the decoder that comes with Bachmann a poor decoder? Would it run better if I replaced it with a superior sound decoder? Last, are there other manufacturers that make the Northern for Santa Fe? I think Broadway Limited did at one time, but I did not see it listed anymore. Athearns' is only for UP if I'm not mistaken. Thanks JRP

[Truck]

Unless it is a Soundtraxx decoder, any other Bachmann with DCC on board are hit or miss. The first thing I do is take  out the chokes on the circuit board and solder wires in their place, next I take out the capasitors, Then I replace the decoder. The first thing you will notice after that is all the buzzing and humming goes away, the slow speed is 90% better and you will be a lot happier. "Thats just how I fix it". Bachmann makes nice trains but I am not a big fan of how they do their DCC on board stuff. I know when I buy a DCC on board loco is I have work to do. but I like doing that kind of stuff. I am tinkering with a Bachmann 2-10-0 decapod now.

                                                   Truck.

[JRP]

Thanks Truck, Good advice and I'll let you know the results once I have taken your steps to correct. Good to know that there are solutions. JRP

[richg1998]

You do not have to remove the inductors. With the capacitors removedby just clipping them off, the inductors are a moot point. I and many others had to only remove the capacitors.

Rich

[JRP]

Rich, Glad I did not cut anything just yet. Looking at the circuit board inside the tender, I am not sure what to look for. Where would the inductors be (just for my knowledge)? How do I recognize the capacitors? I do see what looks like 2 resistors, but may be mistaking them for the capacitors. Also, do you recommend replacing the decoder as was mentioned? I do have a Soundtraxx sound only 4-8-4 Northern decoder, but will need a motor decoder too. Thanks. JRP

[richg1998]

What looks like resistor are inductors. Notice the L! and L2 labels. The capacitors will be labeled with a C and the resistors are labeled with a R.

A PC board in my 44 ton, the inductor is actually a wire wound device. You can see the wire coils.

The ones you see on yours are ferrite type inductors.

The capacitors are sometimes yellow, The surface mount capacitors are quite tiny. Look for the C. Might be C1 and C2. I snip them of with a small pair of wire cutters.

Rich

 

[wjstix]

The decoder installation shown in this link is a bit out of date, and it's for a different loco, but it does show clearly where the capacitors are that need to be clipped.

http://www.gatewaynmra.org/dcc/engines/bach-280.htm

Note too that the Bachmann 4-8-4 is not part of their "Spectrum" line but is in their lower-level line, so may not be as well built (or run as well) as a Spectrum engine no matter what. However, clipping the capacitors and adding a good decoder (preferably one with Back EMF - I prefer TCS ones as their instructions for setting the CV's are so clear) will make an improvement.