Bachmann K-27 won't move

[SooLine720]

Hi all, 

I have a Bachmann K-27 with Phoenix Sound, but the engine doesn't seem to want to move. The sounds all work perfectly, and I programmed the engine to it's road number. The whistle, bell, etc all respond. The motor switch is on. There's a little buzzing noise where the motor is, and it seems to respond to throttle movements, but the engine itself won't move whatsoever. The engine also rolls smoothly in DC. I'm using a MRC Prodigy Elite throttle, the 10A version. Is there a way to factory reset it? Thanks.

[BigDaddy]

Is this loco new to you and never ran, or used to run and now doesn't?

I looked at the Phoenix support page and I my take is the Phoenix is purely a sound recorder?  If so whose DCC decoder are you using?

http://www.phoenixsound.com/pdf/BachK27.pdf

[SooLine720]

BigDaddy

Is this loco new to you and never ran, or used to run and now doesn't?

I looked at the Phoenix support page and I my take is the Phoenix is purely a sound recorder?  If so whose DCC decoder are you using?

http://www.phoenixsound.com/pdf/BachK27.pdf

 

I bought this unit off of eBay a while ago, and I speculate that it has a DCC decoder in it regardless of whether or not it was aftermarket or not. It was programmed to the default 03, so I changed it to 453 (after the locomotive number), and all the sounds still responded perfectly. Doesn't that mean it has DCC in it for certain?

[BigDaddy]

It does, usually setting CV 8 to 8 works, but not always.

https://dccwiki.com/Decoder_reset

 

[tstage]

SooLine720

I bought this unit off of eBay a while ago, and I speculate that it has a DCC decoder in it regardless of whether or not it was aftermarket or not. It was programmed to the default 03, so I changed it to 453 (after the locomotive number), and all the sounds still responded perfectly. Doesn't that mean it has DCC in it for certain?

SooLine,

The only way to move from speculation-to-certainty is to open up the tender to see if there is indeed a decoder installed.  Once that is confirmed or denied, you can then take your next step...

Tom

[SooLine720]

Here’s a link to whats in the tender, excluding the sound decoder hidden just beside main board:

http://imgur.com/XBDF69V

There may not be a DCC decoder in this unit after all... sorry for the confusion, I’m an HO guy branching off into something new. 

[BigDaddy]

So everyone can see

 

[SooLine720]

Thank you, Henry. 

I'm thinking that I just need a motor decoder to plug into the socket where the DC dummy plug shown above is plugged into. Does anyone know what might fit? I've been looking around but it's hard to find a simple motor decoder. 

[tstage]

Khang,

So this is a 1:20.3 (Fn3) K-27?  You'll need a G-scale decoder with a higher max rating than an HO decoder.

Tom

[BigDaddy]

pm sent about posting pics. 

Where does the sound decoder plug in?

Can't help with that scale decoder.  There is a Garden Railway forum somewhere on this site that may know.

[gmpullman]

tstage

You'll need a G-scale decoder with a higher max rating than an HO decoder.

 

Scroll down to track powered DCC section:

https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/k27_2010.php?k27page=3

 

Good Luck, Ed

[SooLine720]

Thank you all for the help, I very much appreciate it!

Regarding the locomotive itself in its current state, it is in fact set to DC mode, since the DC dummy board is plugged into the main board. This is the 1:20.3 G scale Bachmann K-27. However, there is a sound decoder installed on it, a Phoenix of some sorts (I can't find a picture that matches it exactly). That being said, sound is installed and working fantastically.

Regarding the links presented on installing DCC into the locomotives, I'm confused on what decoder to purchase. Since the unit already has Phoenix sound installed, would I just need a conventional DCC decoder to plug into the board where the DC dummy plug was? The recommendations provided by Bachmann all seem to be sound boards, which would be redundant since it already has Phoenix sound installed. Any thoughts? Thank you again.

[gmpullman]

SooLine720

Since the unit already has Phoenix sound installed, would I just need a conventional DCC decoder to plug into the board where the DC dummy plug was?

That sure sounds like what the original idea was. Much like the none-too-popular Broadway Limited Blue Line that had DCC sound installed but NO motor decoder.

This article mentions a Phoenix board with Plug-n-play sockets but I also can not seem to find a motor only DCC decoder that plugs into it directly.

https://grw.trains.com/~/media/files/pdf/advertising/dccforlargescale.pdf

Once you can identify exactly which Phoenix board you have why not give Tony's Train Exchange a call. They have a good understanding of decoder availability. There are SO many options for large scale, Airwire, dead rail/battery that most decoders come with wire terminal strips. You might have to make up your own interface in order to use one of the common motor decoders.

https://store.sbs4dcc.com/dccdecoders-4.aspx

There are some Zimo decoders toward the bottom of the page here but, they are also sound, and as you say, redundant.

Good Luck, Ed

[Tim Helland]

Based on your description, it sounds like you have a cracked drive gear...especially if you can roll the locomotive freely by hand. This problem is common in several large scale Bachmann locomotives. In the past, you could buy a sturdier Delrin gear from NWSL to replace it, but they are closing down and no longer taking new orders. I'm in the process of repairing a 4-4-0 Anniversary Edition with the same problem. I ended up ordering a replacement from Bachmann for under $10 even though it may eventually have the same issue.

[NVSRR]

The k27 and 2-8-0 spectrum line locos are notorious for cracked gears(same gear train)   Look up the instructions on how to pull the bottom plate(. Lots of spring and such are held by that plate) and look at the gears on the driver axles.  It is usually the gear that mates with the worm gear that cracks.  

 

That pheonix board is designed for use  with dcc boards like cvp air wire.  So many go with battery power in that scale so the dcc and sound are set up differently. Usually two seperate boards. Very different animal to smaller scale dcc.     That is also because of the out use and dirty track.  Dcc and dc on an outdoor layout do not work well with the dirt.  

Your K27 is set up for indoor operation  with sound.  Bachmann's replacement gears are more robust.  Start there.  Work through the mechanicals.  I second the gear issue

Wolfie

[maxman]

NVSRR

The k27 and 2-8-0 spectrum line locos are notorious for cracked gears(same gear train)

OP stated that loco ran smoothly on DC.