I have a Bachman Shay. I am having a problem changing the address from #3. I have been told to use a resistor across the track. Is there a special size? I have resistors that came in a package of LED bulbs. Will this work?
Thanks in advance
Harold
If you're trying to change it to an address above 128, try changing CV 29 to a value of 34 as a separate programming step.
Without knowing what DCC system you are using and how you are trying to change the address (main line or programming track) it's hard to tell why you can't change the address.
Address # is lower that 128
System is a MRC Advance
Programing on the Main
What brand of decoder is in the loco?
The only two DCC systems I have ever used are the EasyDCC and NCE, and have never had a decoder that could not be programmed except a Bachmann or MRC, both of which were defective; and I have never had to use a resistor in order to program a decoder.
Have you ever programmed a different brand decoder with the MRC Advance to know that it isn't defective?
It is a Bachmann decoder. Have programed several other without a problem.
Bachmann factory installed decoders are known to have problems -- your best option would be to change to a better brand of decoder if you really need to use a different address and if the decoder is easily changed.
I have three of the Bachmann Shay locomotives from the first production run that were not DCC On Board, and have never had any problems with them. Two of them have SoundTraxx decoders and the third is an NCE.
Has anyone heard of the solution of using a resister?
Yes, just put a 1K resistor across the rails of your program track. It sometimes works. Worth a try. But it doesn't change the fact that the Bachmann decoders are, to be nice, sub-par. No high frequency silent drive, and no BEMF. I can forgive the lack of BEMF, as most decoders with BEMF cost much more, but you can get a $12 NCE D13SRJ decoder that is superior to the Bachmann in every way.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I have had to use a 1K resistor across the program track for a couple of Bachmann decoders, some didn't . Go figure? I finally put a toggle switch on my program track with the 1K resistor wired to it so I just flip the switch when I need the resistor.
- Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Do you know if the Resistor that come with LED lights is a 1K Resistor? What are the color makings for a 1K?
The first band is brown, the second black and the third red sometimes followed by a silver or gold band. I don't believe that the resistors supplied with the leds are 1K and they are probably of too low wattage. A 1/2 watt resistor would probably be sufficient.
Joe
Brown-Black-Red = 1,000 Ohms. It doesn't matter if the 4th band is silver (10 percent) or gold (5 percent) tolerance.
hwolf I have a Bachman Shay. I am having a problem changing the address from #3. I have been told to use a resistor across the track. Is there a special size? I have resistors that came in a package of LED bulbs. Will this work?..
I have a Bachman Shay. I am having a problem changing the address from #3. I have been told to use a resistor across the track. Is there a special size? I have resistors that came in a package of LED bulbs. Will this work?..
hwolf Address # is lower that 128 System is a MRC Advance Programing on the Main
First things first, is this shay sound equipped? If so then the decoder is a Soundtraxx. I see you are using "Programing on the Main"(ops mode programming) and programming to an address less than 128. Soundtraxx decoders will not let you change the currently active address when using ops mode programming. To change from the default "2-digit" address of 3 to another 2-digit address, you have to first give it a "4-digit" address and enable it, then select the 4-digit address and use it to program a new 2-digit address.
If this shay is not sound equipped, then it is possible that the Bachmann decoders have a similar limitation for ops mode programming. It is also possible that the decoder does not allow any address changes to be made using ops mode, or even possible that the decoder doesn't support ops mode programming at all. If one of the latter cases is true, then you will have to use a program track to change the address.
The resistor on the track trick only applies to programming using the program track, not when using ops mode programming. If all else fails and you can not get the decoder to program, then you may have to try the program track with the resistor. The 1k value is not critical and it will not hurt anything to try the resistors you have even if they are out of the range of values that will work.
Most Bachmann non-sound DCC decoders are entry level Lenz decoders in disguise.
I don't know if other DCC systems have problems programming Bachmann/Lenz decoders, but I know I have had problems with them using my Zephyr.
After getting frustrated trying to program a Lenz decoder I asked for help on the Atlas Forum. The answer came back quickly. I was told to use a 1k 1/4 watt resistor across the programming track. This fools the Zephyr into increasing the programming voltage which the Bachmann/Lenz decoders need.
Here is a photo of my simple resistor.
Just a couple of alligator clips soldered to the resistor leads.Not the best photo I ever took, but it should get the point across. This little do-dad works for me.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
If your using the MRC Prod. Adv. 2 sq. system you should be able to program that bachmann decoder with no problem. when you click on main track program mode make sure that the loco you want to program is on the screen before you hit enter, otherwise it will select the last loco address you ran to program, I prefer to program on program track. you shouldn't need a resister for that decoder. And for the long address the MRC system automaticly sets CV,s 17&18 and so on. So far QSI decoders are the only ones I have had to individualy set CV,s for the long address on my MRC system.
Truck