Hi everybody,
I did a few searches on the forum here. I've seen many people remove the stock DCC circuit board and redo the wiring new.
I'm curious, what are the advantage to keep it? And disavantage. I've shortened my tender a lot for a kitbash project and I feel that with the weight and DCC decoder, there won't be any place for that thingy.
What are your thoughts about it?
BTW, a club member is quite good in electronic stuff (I just don't), so it shouldn't be to hard to wire this from scratch.
Matt
Proudly modelling the Quebec Railway Light & Power Co since 1997.
http://www.hedley-junction.blogspot.com
http://www.harlem-station.blogspot.com
1. The Bachmann circuit board has some components on it (capacitors) that interfere with smooth decoder operation.
2. The Bachmann circuit board takes up a lot of room that is needed for a sound decoder and speaker.
If you're not going to be installing sound, the capacitors on the Bachmann circuit board can be clipped off with no adverse effect as long as you recognize them and don't clip off the wrong parts.
Many keep the PC board but remove the caps and everything works ok. Many times the resistors on Bachmann PC boards have a higher value and dim bulbs or LED's which can be another reason to pull the PC board.
If you remove the board and hardwire. Make sure you know what the lights are. You might have 12 volt bulbs or LED's which require resistors, usually 1k resistors. Some decoders might come with on board resistors and 1.5 volt connections for only 1.5 volt bulbs. Usually those decoders are for diesels but this stuff is continually evolving.
Right now your only concern seems to be Bachmann steam locos.
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.
Thanks everybody!
You confirmed exactly what I thought.
@TA, my first 2-8-0 run just fine with Bachmann original board, but my 4-4-0 was full of problem. Since I want to redo completely the lighting, better start off from scratch.