Programming Bachman DCC Turnouts with Digitrax Super Chief and other Digitrax Products

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From Digitrax:

KB341: Bachmann DCC Turnouts

This article was last updated on May 10, 2012, 3:56 p.m. | Print Article | Leave Feedback

In H0-Scale, several manufacturers offer unified track with roadbed; these track systems allow the modeler to get operating quickly and reliably.

Two of the manufacturers, Kato and Bachmann also offer turnouts which have built in DCC decoders for remote operation.

Here, Joe Burns helps out with information for the Bachmann E-Z Track® turnouts.

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I recently purchased a couple of Bachmann's E-Z Command® Decoder-Equipped DCC Turnouts.

My 6 year old daughter and I are sharing some model railroading, and the E-Z Track® "holds things together".
Of course, the instructions for use with the E-Z Command® system are all that is included.

I spent about 30 minutes trying different steps with my DT400/DCS100, and finally figured it out.

I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget in the future, and thought you might find this information useful for the Tech Support Depot.

1. Connect the turnout (or wye or crossover) to a powered section of track.

2. Turn on DCS100 to "run" (track should be connected to the Rail A / Rail B posts).

3. Apply PWR to track using DT400.

4. Press the programming button of the E-Z Command® turnout/wye/crossover until switch toggles twice (release programming button).

5. Press SW button on DT400.

6. Set desired number using the DT400 keypad (1-100 for this device).

7. Press OPTN button - switch should toggle 4 times.

Other notes:

• You should ensure that there is no power/momentum on any selected locomotives before starting these steps (if you have power applied, set all to zero).
  
• This particular stationary decoder is very sensitive to button presses outside of this specific sequence.
  
  If you inadvertently press other buttons or functions, it is best to let the turnout/wye/crossover exit from the programming mode (switch toggles twice), and start over.
  
• There is no apparent way to reset the turnout/wye/crossover decoder to the factory default of "3" using the DT400 or other methods.
  
• The E-Z Command® turnout/wye/crossover will not respond to any DT400 commands (even SW=003) "out of the box".
  
  You must program the decoder using the DT400 first (at least that is my conclusion after trying to use the advertised default of SW=003 on four brand new turnouts).
  
• This procedure does work with other equipment on line.
  
  However, it was a little frustrating for me initially, so I tried this a few times with no locos or other devices in use to improve my confidence.
  
• The E-Z Command® Decoder Equipped DCC turnouts apparently do not hold their programming for much more than 15-30 minutes after power is turned off.
  
  You will have to reprogram them for use during your next session.
  
  (We are researching this and will update this comment when we determine why, Editor)

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Big thanks from the Tech Support Depot to: Joe and Elizabeth, Brandenburg, KY