How do they run on a DC layout? Any sound issues, I have heard its better to run these on DCC. Is this true? Drawbacks to running spectrums on DC?
rjake4454 Any sound issues
Are we to ASSUME you are refereing to the DCC with sound equiped versions?
Spectrum locos come or have came in DC versions, DCC versions and DCC with sound versions.
My experiance is the DCC versions do not run well on DC. I remove the decoders and install the supplied jumpers. It is also my experiance that none of the dual mode sound locos run that well on DC, but I have no experaince with the Spectrum locos specficly.
Dual mode sound decoders have very high starting voltages and the locos always seem to be hard to control on DC.
Sheldon
I have a couple Spectrum steamers with dual decoders and running on DC is definitely second or third best. You have no control over the sounds. The chuff, air pump and a few other sounds work automatically. Again, no control of the sounds. The sound will start at around 5 to 6 volts DC. The engine will start to move at around 8 to 9 volts. That could be around 3/4 throttle in some instances.
The Bachmann PDF document about Bachmann factory Tsunami should cover the DC or Analog operation.
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.
Is this Sound on Board DCC or just a DCC engine? Sound is a whole 'nuther thing, and is widely discussed on a current thread over on the General Discussion page, plus on countless other archived threads where we beat many other now rotting horse corpses.
If the engine is a non-sound DCC engine, it should run as well as it would on DCC powered track if the drivetrain is in good shape. However, you won't have quite the same throttle response, and the starts may be jerky. Once underway, it should run smoothly, though. If it doesn't suspect the drivetrain or any rods.
I just got rid of my first and only Spectrum Class J because I coudn't get it to run smoothly. I had it for six months with a Tsunami installed, and neither I nor my decoder installer (who has been in HO for donkey's years) could figure out how to get it to run smoothly. It didn't matter whether I used DC or DCC to run it, it was a pig.
-Crandell
selector Is this Sound on Board DCC or just a DCC engine?
Is this Sound on Board DCC or just a DCC engine?
Its sound on board, I just bought it and test ran it last night, as soon as I turned up the throttle, I got a little spooked. The sounds immediately came on, whistles, fast chuffing, bells, without the thing even moving. Just wanted to make sure I didn't break it or something.
richg1998 I have a couple Spectrum steamers with dual decoders and running on DC is definitely second or third best. You have no control over the sounds. The chuff, air pump and a few other sounds work automatically. Again, no control of the sounds. The sound will start at around 5 to 6 volts DC. The engine will start to move at around 8 to 9 volts. That could be around 3/4 throttle in some instances.
Ok thanks, thats exactly what happened to mine last night, it was the first time I tried running a spectrum K4 with sound on DC.
My Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-2 did the same thing on DC. The chuff would be waaaay out of sinc with the throttle. Luckily, I went to DCC soon after and now the loco runs and sounds great.