Just took delivery of a brand new Spectrum DCC 2-8-2. Have been looking forward to getting this on my layout. I set it up and when I first addressed it, it was quiet as it should be(not sound equipped) but when I start increasing the speed control it starts making quite a bit of buzzing or whirring noise before it actually starts to move. It continues to make the noise until it gets moving along at a decent pace and then the noise goes away. I have a Spectrum 4-4-0 and 4-6-0 and neither of them make any such noise.
So before I get really unhappy and start calling bachmann can someone tell me what the problem might be? Once I turn the speed up far enough and it starts to move the noise starts to go away. But every time I try to start it from a stand still it makes the same racket.
Ideas?
wdcrvr
I would guess that it is either the flywheel, if there is one, or a gear that should stand a little closer to its partner. Something is not centred or balanced quite right in the line from the motor to the final gear.
BTW, I am supposing it is mechanical in origin and is not a faulty speaker, decoder, or sound file.
Crandell
wdcrvr Just took delivery of a brand new Spectrum DCC 2-8-2. Have been looking forward to getting this on my layout. I set it up and when I first addressed it, it was quiet as it should be(not sound equipped) but when I start increasing the speed control it starts making quite a bit of buzzing or whirring noise before it actually starts to move. It continues to make the noise until it gets moving along at a decent pace and then the noise goes away. I have a Spectrum 4-4-0 and 4-6-0 and neither of them make any such noise. So before I get really unhappy and start calling bachmann can someone tell me what the problem might be? Once I turn the speed up far enough and it starts to move the noise starts to go away. But every time I try to start it from a stand still it makes the same racket. Ideas? wdcrvr
Sounds like a decoder problem if it makes noise sitting still. You are running it on DCC? Bachmann's dual mode decoders don't like some DC power packs/throttles, and they buzz like crazy.
Sheldon
I need to correct my original post. Listening to it more carefully, I would have to say the sound is more of a loud hum. An electrical hum if there is such a thing. I am running it on a Bachmann DCC control and have three other Bachmann DCC locos that do not have any such problem.
When I first address this loco and have the speed set at 0 it is perfectly quiet, as it should be (not sound equipped). As I begin to increase the speed setting it just sits there at first and the humming begins. The volume of the humming increases as I increase the speed setting until eventually the engine begins to move. As the engine picks up speed the humming decreases and goes away.
What do you think? Motor problem? Decoder problem? Mechanical problem?
David,
Actually, for quite a long time now:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=1749
wdcrvr,
Do you know which manufacturer's decoder is installed in your 2-8-2 Mike? It's possible that it's a cheapy decoder.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Before going further I'd give it a lube and run it for an hour at medium speed. First half in forward and second in reverse. Bachmanns typically need a decent break in and often quiet down.
Just curious but what DCC system are you using? Are you running on Address 3?
Springfield PA
I have a few of these Bachmann 2-8-2's and am very content with their running characteristics and quality of finish.
This engine is delivered to the purchaser from the factory with the tender attached to the engine. It is clearly intended that the engine and tender are not normally to be separated. This is the same set up as the Bachmann 4-8-4 J engine. Too bad Bachmann did not use this wiring set up with all of their Spectrum steam engines.
These engines are IMHO finished to a higher level of detail that the other Spectrum engines I have. The locomotives motor also appears to be of a higher level of quality than the other Spectrum engines it is larger and heavier than that of the 2-10-2 or 4-8-2.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/H832X-IS001.PDF
I suspect that the higher level of quality is due to the fact it is originally from the Chinese domestic Bachmann series. A quick check of the Bachmann Chinese site will show that most engines are indeed finished to a higher level of detail that the North American iste.
to Don7
So, I guess you are telling me that you have never had this noise problem that I am experiencing?
Guess I will try the suggestion to run it for a while and see if that changes anything. Seems unlikely to me but I am willing to try anything that avoids taking this bugger apart or having to send it back to the seller or to BAchmann.
wdcrvr to Don7 So, I guess you are telling me that you have never had this noise problem that I am experiencing? Guess I will try the suggestion to run it for a while and see if that changes anything. Seems unlikely to me but I am willing to try anything that avoids taking this bugger apart or having to send it back to the seller or to BAchmann. wdcrvr
I do remember that during the break in period the engines did require more running time than other Spectrums. I also noticed that one of my 2-8-2's came very overlubed from the factory. It was noticable during the break in and I removed the engine from the chassis and removed the excess lube which was very calk like. Replaced lube and oil with Labelle products. The other 2-8-2's I received were fine.
I do not remember hearing loud noise problems. However, note that I immediately replace the standard Bachmann DCC decoders with Decoders with EMF. I also cut the connections to the capacitors. The engines in my opinion run better after the decoders have been replaced.
I have used the Bachmann E-Z DCC control but have long since replaced it with a Digitrax controller. The main reason was the lack of amperage. Running a few engines at the same time was too much at times for the E-Z Command unit.
If it's a buzzing sort of like you get when putting a non-decoder loco on the track, that changes slightly with the speed, then it's probbaly just that cheapy decoder Bachmann puts in them. Lower level than the cheapest decoder Lenz currently sells, it doesn't even have a high frequency drive, hence the buzzing. Removing the capacitors that are across the motor seems to help even the stock decoder, it is pretty much required to remove them if you repalce the decoder with a better one. ANd better doesn't have to be expensive - a 10 pack of NCE D13SRJ decoders is about $120 if you shop around - that's $12 each, and the D13SRJ is a HUGE step up from the stock Bachmann decoder. It will cost a little more for one that can simply plug right in, unless the Bachmann decoder has a 9 pin plug so you cna pull off the harness and substitute the better decoder. I know they just plug them in to the 8 pin plug, so for a simple plug in replacement you might have to get a decoder that comes with an 8 pin harness.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.