I just purchased two Bachmann RS-3s from an internet provider. Imagine my surprise that they were both DCC! I am a newbie to DCC, so I need some help. Taped to the top of each loco were two small plastic envelopes containing six-pin chips or boards. What are these for? I couldn't find any documentation about them and they didn't appear in the accompaning sketch .
By the way, these locos were not advertised as DCC, so at less than $60.00 apiece, I think I got a good deal. I am new to the MR forum so if this is in the wrong category, perhaps a moderator can move it. I would appreciate any and all suggestions. Thanks. Bob
Those are not chips. Chips, IC's, Integrated Circuits are on the decoder. Those are DC adapters. You remove the decoder plug and insert those into the 8 pin receptacle to run the loco on DC. If you plug them in wrong, the loco will just run in the opposite direction from what you selected.
The Bachmann decoders are dual mode and will run on DC also but not as well as if you install the adapters. That is if the seller did not program the decoder to not respond to DC.
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.
Some of the documentation that comes with the locos usually show the DC adapter in the paperwork but little info about how to use it.
I checked the Bachmann site diagrams but did not see that loco diagram. Bachmann has always been relatively poor when it comes to documentation.
Thank you, Rich. As luck would have it, I had also queried directly to Bachmann C.S. about this and had left a message describing my dilemna. Within an hour [!] Laura called me back and explained this to me; she called them "place holders", but the units will run just fine on DC evenif they are not there. Guess I'd better get with the DCC program. I am still undecided about which system to get, altho' I'm leaning toward EasyDCC, since they are right up the road from me here in the DFW; TX metroplex. Most LHSs around here are very familiar with them, and install, do maintenance, etc. Bob Hunt
If you run a loco on DC that has a decoder, you have to turn up the power pack much more than a loco with no decoder. That is the nature of the beast you might say. The logic circuits in the decoder need at least 5 volts DC to begin operating and then the pulses to the motor from the decoder have to over come the magnet resistance.
Since you have a DCC company nearby, stick with it. Many are happy with the Easy DCC.
I use the NCE Power Cab only because our club uses the NCE Power Pro. I can bring my Cab to the club to run trains.
I have no idea on you knowledge of DCC so below are some useful links you can store in Favorites for future reference.
http://www.mrdccu.com/
http://www.siliconvalleylines.com/dcc/presentations.html
A Group you might be interested in. I belong to about eight DCC Yahoo Groups for the different brands of DCC products I use.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/easydcc/