I know this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find a specific answer in the earlier threads. Will a current run Bachmann loco with factory DCC operate on a MRC/NCE/Digitrax, etc. system? If so, what are its limitations, if any?
Mike
Mike,
The general rule for DCC is: Any manufacturers decoders will run on another manufactures DCC system. What you can NOT intermix are manufacturer's components like throttles and command stations. Each manufacturer own components are designed to run together. Needless to say, no one has perfected the "American Motors"-approach to DCC yet. LOL!
MTH is the odd horse. You can run their "DCS-equipped" locomotives on either DCC or DC. However, there are some very limited restrictions of what CVs (configuration variables) you can change on their decoders.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I use Digitrax, Super Empire Builder, and have no problem running Bachmann RTR DCC locos. I don't know about any limitations, etc, as I'm still a rookie with DCC and haven't done much with CV's
Mike.
My You Tube
It will run on any DCC. However, I have found the Bachmann OEM chip to not be very good and have replaced them. So, if it doesn't run well(as were the cases we had), just replace the decoder and my experience is it will run fine.
Richard
You will not find any Bachmann locos with chips. They have decoders. At least three different types. All the decoder companies I have looked at sell decoders but maybe that is changing.
Bachmann on board non sound. Low end Lenz.
Bachmann sound on board, Tsunami technology but stripped down features as compared to the Tsunami you buy and install yourself. Check the documents at the SoundTraxx site for the different manufactures of the locos.
There is the new Sound Value line with Tsunami technology. Three of the steamers come with a non sound, good quality, motor/light decoder and you can plug in a Sound Module with Tsunami technology.
If your not one who has to be led by the hand, go to the Bachmann site and look around. There are diagrams, product list, CV documents, manuals.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/index.php
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'm sure they will work, but... I've just replaced two Bachmann brand built-in decoders, both different new units. I planned to do it anyway, since I wanted fully featured sound units with my own speaker configuration, but my observation testing the stock units was that they made the motor hum and didn't operate smoothly. The new Tsunami decoders I installed are quiet and smooth running. If you don't want to install your own, I would recommend the Sound Value line, as they seem to get good reviews (though limited), and don't cost that much more than the standard Bachmann units.
I've got 3 Bachmann decoder-equipped units. They all work just fine on my Lenz DCC system.
I will probably replace the one in the 0-6-0T tank engine with a TCS Keep-Alive decoder. With only 3 axles, this engine is a good "dead spot finder," and the KA decoder should help that while likely improving low-speed control.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
richg1998 You will not find any Bachmann locos with chips. They have decoders.
You will not find any Bachmann locos with chips. They have decoders.
Some folks, our friends across the pond in particular, refer to decoders as "chips".
So to them, yes, some Bachmann locos have chips.
Stevert richg1998 You will not find any Bachmann locos with chips. They have decoders. Some folks, our friends across the pond in particular, refer to decoders as "chips". So to them, yes, some Bachmann locos have chips.
Not only that, but every decoder has a a microprocessor, and microprocessors are commonly called "chips", so every locomotive with a decoder also has a "chip".
Stevert Some folks, our friends across the pond in particular, refer to decoders as "chips".
I thought they referred to french fries as "chips." Is there a CV to say whether to serve them with ketchup or vinegar?
Joe Staten Island West
A related question, if you buy a Bachmann DCC equipped locomotive, how difficult is it to upgrade the decoder? Adding sound would necessitate adding a sound decoder and speaker obviously, but is it fairly straight forward versus adding a decoder to one of their DCC friendly units? Thanks all!
Don.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."
EMD.Don A related question, if you buy a Bachmann DCC equipped locomotive, how difficult is it to upgrade the decoder? Adding sound would necessitate adding a sound decoder and speaker obviously, but is it fairly straight forward versus adding a decoder to one of their DCC friendly units? Thanks all! Don.
It depends on the specific model of locomotive. I have a DD40AX that had a light board with a separate decoder wired to it. Replacing the decoder was simply a matter of desoldering the decoder wires from the light board and soldering in a new wired decoder. I also have a GE 70 tonner in which the decoder is an integral part of the light board. I had to replace the whole light board with the decoder, which of course also meant adding LED's to replace the ones on the board. It was definitely a little more involved than the DD40AX, but still not terribly difficult.
CSX Robert EMD.Don A related question, if you buy a Bachmann DCC equipped locomotive, how difficult is it to upgrade the decoder? Adding sound would necessitate adding a sound decoder and speaker obviously, but is it fairly straight forward versus adding a decoder to one of their DCC friendly units? Thanks all! Don. It depends on the specific model of locomotive. I have a DD40AX that had a light board with a separate decoder wired to it. Replacing the decoder was simply a matter of desoldering the decoder wires from the light board and soldering in a new wired decoder. I also have a GE 70 tonner in which the decoder is an integral part of the light board. I had to replace the whole light board with the decoder, which of course also meant adding LED's to replace the ones on the board. It was definitely a little more involved than the DD40AX, but still not terribly difficult.
Thank you for the info. Much appreciated. I have been looking at the Bachmann UP SD40-2 DCC installed locomotive as you can pick them up for a fairly cheap price. I haven't seen what they look like under the shell so I have no idea what's inside there. I was wondering how difficult it would be to swop the Bachmann decoder with another...possibly even a sound decoder if there is room for the speaker.