Hello, i recently found a bachman DCC N&W J in my grandfathers basement. i took it home to find it was DCC ready. It was brand new in the box so at a train show i picked up a digitrax decoder for it. problem is when i try to run it on my layout its speed is erratic sometimes uncontrolable. It acts like it cant recieve the signal. I cleaned all the contacts and have run it for an hour or so thinking it would loosen up. I also connected jumpers directly to the pickups and ran it on my bench same problem. Any help would be great.
I would do the following:
- Lubricate and oil the moving parts and bearings.
- Clean the wheels.
- Clean the track.
These things may help.
Also, does it lurch or act like it is binding or is the erratic running just slowing down and speeding up. The former could be side rods binding and the later could be electrical problems that the above list may fix.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
You need to cut the capacitors on the Bachmann board. This is very easy just cut one end of the capacitor and bend it back out of the way. The capacitors are yellow in colour and usually labeled C1, some boards have 2 capacitors and the second would be labelled C2. You may find other capacitors on the board which would deal with the lighting, leave them intact.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,10401.0.html
I have had to cut capacitors on many occasions, had as you described very erratic running characteristics.
If you check the Bachmann board and many of the DCC manufacturers sites you will find information regarding the Bachmann boards and the problems with the capacitors.
Hacked out the two caps and worked perfectly. Thanx for the help everyone, im sure I'll be on here for more, new to this stuff. Thanx again!!
Glad to hear the capacitors were the problem. It is hit or miss when adding DCC decoders (other than Bachmann Lenz brand). I have added decoders and no problems and other times super eratic behavour from the engine.
Sure shakes you up when you first encounter the erratic running. The engine is liable to do just about anything.
So be safe, even if the engine runs fine with the new decoders, cut the capacitors just to be safe.