I have two older Spectrum 4-8-2's item numbers 81665 and 81658 - can anyone tell me if these are DCC ready?
I have one older Spectrum 2-8-0 item 81152 - same question.
In this context, please define DCC ready - pretty sure drop in would be too much to hope for.
Thanks, Joel
Joel.
If the Spectrum locos listed have an 8 pin socket on the lighting board then they are ready to accept a DCC decoder. But Bachmanns infinite wisdom when it comes to locomotive electronics has installed capacitors on the lighting boards that need to be removed before a decoder can function properly. All three of the locos listed can have these caps on the boards. Here is a link that shows and explains how to get rid of them.
http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Bachmann/Spectrum_4-8-4_Heavy_Mountain/Bachmman_Spectrum_4-8-4_Heavy_Mountain.html
http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Bachmann/Spectrum%20Baldwin%202-8-0/Bachmman_Spectrum_baldwin_2-8-0.html
Just to make us decoder installers crazy some of the latest Bachmann locos have caps across the motor leads now. I don't think the ones you listed do though.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
I have seen a couple of the newer run of steamers that have the inductors and caps and maybe the LED resistor in the loco. You can see this when you look at the loco diagram. A little PC board is hidden in the rear of the loco.
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.
I have a Spectrum 2-8-0 that was rated DCC ready. I can't find the item number but if you have the parts sheet and you can see part H11406 (PCB ASSEMBLY) then you can be sure it is DCC ready. And DCC ready it is. As simple as to plug any electrical device in a wall outlet. Be sure to remove the capacitor like stated on TCS site and you will have a really good DCC loco. By he way, don't hesitate to use TCS decoder DP2X-UK on this model. Really good slow speed (.2 mph).
Guy
Modeling CNR in the 50's
owen w in california I have two older Spectrum 4-8-2's item numbers 81665 and 81658 - can anyone tell me if these are DCC ready? I have one older Spectrum 2-8-0 item 81152 - same question. In this context, please define DCC ready - pretty sure drop in would be too much to hope for. Thanks, Joel
Joel, Most all Bachmann Spectrum steam has an 8 pin DCC plug on the circuit board in the tender.
And, regarding your other post about tenders, understand this. When Bachmann offered those tenders as separate items, each tender was still wired for the specific Bachmann loco it came from, and not all Bachmann locos are wired the same.
The locos are not all wired the same for a number of different reasons and it would be very long and boring to explain all the reasons and variations.
But know this, if you have Bachmann 2-8-0 for example, and you buy the same separate tenders, it will be wired to work - with a few exceptions - again it is complicated.
Some locos have 12 volt headlights, some LED headlights, some changed from 12v to LED over the years. To prevent damage and minimise warranty claims, Bachmann changed the pin assignments in the plugs so that none compatible tenders would simply not work.
But all can easily be rewired and headlight circuits modified - there is lots on these forums about specific tender swap modifications if you do some searches.
I have lots of Spectrum steam and have done lots of tender swaps. I also use Bachmann tenders behind a number of other brands of locos.
I do not however use DCC, but if I did I would completely remove the Bachmann circuit boards and direct wire my decoders.
This too will solve any compatibility issues with tender swaps.
Sheldon