I'm switching over from DC to DCC in the near future on my HO Layout and bought a new GP-7 on board DCC engine at a train show today for a beginning engine which has a plastic bag scotchtaped to the packing with a small circuit board (quarter inch x three eight inch) with six prongs. What is this for? Can I run the engine on my DC layout without it? Does it need to be plugged in somewhere to run DCC or DC? Will I burn up the engine if its not plugged in while running DC? There were no instructions included.
That is an adapter to plug in to run the loco on DC. There should have been instructions inside the box. You can also look at the Bachmann site for diagrams and info plus a set of forums for different scales.
Are you sure it is DCC on board and not just DCC ready? A DCC ready would have an eight pin socket ready for the decoder or adapter to be plugged in. Some might come with the decoder plugged in and the adapter in the plastic bag.
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.
Thank you for the info. The box says DCC on-board. I will take your advice and go to the Bachmann web site to see how to unplug the decoder and connect that 6 prong plug so I can run DC for now.
JWK,
The engine has a decoder installed. The engine should run on DC or DCC. You do not want to remove the decoder. That 'DC Jumper' replaces the decoder for 'DC Only' operation.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Thanks. I haven't done anything yet. A few minutes ago I went online and got Bachmanns phone number for their tech guy. I will call them tomorrow to see exactly what connectors should be unplugged and where to plug in the adapter.
All you have to do is pull the plug and plug in the adapter.
Look at the below link. Not a GP7 but it uses the same six pin adapter. Pin 1 is marked on both if you look closely.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/HO_440_DCC-tender.pdf
With a dual mode decoder, you have to turn the power pack up quite a lot more than with no decoder. Some do not like that.
It is also a known fact that if the loco is from a private source, some disable the DC function as it sometimes causes a runaway when the user is using DCC. Many here forget those issues.
JWK Railway Thanks. I haven't done anything yet. A few minutes ago I went online and got Bachmanns phone number for their tech guy. I will call them tomorrow to see exactly what connectors should be unplugged and where to plug in the adapter.
You missed the Bachmann forums at the Bachmann site. There are many users there with a couple Bachmann reps. One rep just answered a question for a user.
Thanks for that link. I like the pin layout. Very helpful. I might try to do it myself later, after the superbowl game. What do you do with the exposed pins of the decoder?
JWK Railway Thanks for that link. I like the pin layout. Very helpful. I might try to do it myself later, after the superbowl game. What do you do with the exposed pins of the decoder?
I have not seen a diagram of the PC board and decoder. I have seen some steamers with a shrink wrapped decoder plugged into the 8 pin socket.
Just remove the complete decoder. What I am hearing from you, it is not that simple. Without a photo of more detailed explanation, I have no idea what you mean about exposed pins.
Below is a GP7DCC on board diagram from the Bachmann site. No 8 pin connector. Maybe the eight pin connector was left off the drawing. Bachmann is not noted for good diagrams at times.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/H624X-EXPLODEDVIEWII.pdf
Below is a SD4, DCC onboard which shows an eight pin connector with decoder.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/H827X_IS002-DCC.PDF
Bachmann is noted for being inconsistent in the diagrams and locos electricals. Wait until you get some of the different HO steamers. Many times they do not use the NMRA wire colors.
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Just wanted to thank you for all your advice which was very helpful in the configuration of the dummy pin. I called Bachmann and they walked me through what to do. I could run the engine with or without the pin but they said it MIGHT run a little faster on DC if I took out the decoder and replaced it with the dummy pin. Piece of cake. That only took a couple of minutes, so I'll put the decoder back in when I switch to DCC operations. The engine did run just a bit faster with the dummy pin in. Really a nice creeper also.
That is good to hear. A loco that runs good on DC will usually run a little better on DCC depending on the qualities of the decoder and how you program the CV's. Many can get a loco to start at under 1 mph. Time you loco on say a three foot section of track for realistic speed at your scale.
You might consider disabling the DC option as some have experinced runaways when controlled by DCC if they get an internittent short or other data interuption.
In case you are not aware, the digital electronics on a decoder require at least five volts, DC, just to wake up. Maybe a couple volts more for the loco to start moving. The microprocessor in the decoder controls everything regardless if you are using DC or DCC.
Many users are not aware that the dual mode operation of a DCC equipped loco is second best for this reason. A compromise you might say.
Don't forget to save those links. You might be able to help someone in the future.
I find an answer to a question is good but useful links make it a lot easier for many users. A picture is worth a thousand words.
This is a cheeper engine just to get me started in DCC. I'm planning on getting an NCE Power Cab package and a good engine for each of my 6 grandsons with each having their own cab. Lots of work ahead. Need to switch out all the horn hook couplers on the rolling stock with knuckles. Now connecting drops every 3 foot to a main buss (got some free #12 wire which is hard to solder to). Might even try to convert some old DC engines to DCC although at this point in the hobby, I'm not good at electronics.