I have a fairly new Bachmann RS3. When increasing the throttle it responds by increasing the rev sound of the engine but it doesn't move. It doesn't happen all the time - by restarting the system, lifting it on and off, choosing another loco on the controller, I can get it to work normally again (I haven't figured out exactly what makes it work again).
What can be wrong? As I live in Europe, sending it over the Atlantic again to Bachmann or Trainworld (the retailer) doesn't feel very tempting.
MITROPA,
I don't have a Bachmann RS3,,,But from your description,it sounds like you have a loose connection,somewhere,could be on the decoder itself. You'll have to remove the shell to check. If the decoder has those black clips on it for the wires,,that would be the number 1 culprit..
Cheers,
Frank
Ya, it sounds (no pun intended) like the sounds work OK, so apparently the connections from the wheels/trucks to the decoder are alright. Perhaps one of the two wires connecting the decoder / light board to the motor isn't properly soldered. Sometimes it's not touching, so no power gets to the motor. Maybe when you pick it up, it jostles it a little and the wire touches just enough to run the engine.
If that's not it, I'd try removing the sound decoder and plugging in a regular one. If that one works OK, it may be a problem with the decoder. Tsunamis are great decoders but aren't perfect, I had one that had problems and ultimately failed.
Great, thank you both. I will check that!
I detest those little black plastic clips. More often than not, I've removed one and the wire didn't get fully pulled through the hole before the clip was installed making for either an intermittent contact or none at all.
I've gotten in the habit of immediately tossing those clips (on the decoder AND the trucks) and soldering the wires in place. I've never been a big fan of mechanical connections to pass electricity .... unless I'm rewiring my house !
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
FYI. There is a Bachmann site with a HO forum with Bachmann reps and others with Bachmann experience.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php
When ever I have DCC issues with a loco, I reset the decoder to factory specs. I lift the loco off the track or disconnect power, then reconnect.
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.