I just completed my first attempt to hardwire a TCS MC2 to a Bachmann Spectrum GE 44 Tonner. Despite the fact that the wires on the Bachmann loco were not color coded (all black), I was able to make it without much problem.
I really like the slow speed of those TCS decoders. The little critter really crawls at speed 1.
One little problem though. The rearlight doesn't lit up. I checked the bulb on DC and it lits. I rewired it to the yellow and blue wires twice without success. I thing I will have to live with that.
When I decided to go from DC to DCC I didn't dare to do it myself and I paid someone else to install decoders on some of my locomotives. I should have been clever and learn to do it myself. Next step will be a sound install in a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation.
Guy
Modeling CNR in the 50's
Do a decoder reset. I have two of these with hardwired decoders and they work fine.
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.
Sound for the 2-8-0 has been done in the Bachmann HO forum.
Below is another link i found.
http://www.garbo.org/MRR/2-8-0con.html
Guy,
Yer sayin' the bulb lights up. And you checked the solder joints. Maybe the bulb isn't making contact in the "socket". Either that, or the decoder isn't outputting. The latter can be checked with a voltmeter.
There's certainly a limited number of possible failures.
Ed
My 44 tonners had two wires to each light. all I did is solder splice to the decoder leads.
See, not really that difficult after all!
Second the reset. Probably the function mapping or the light setting is messed up, if the bulb is known to be good, and the one works as expected with F0. The wiring looks fine.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I tried the reset without success.
Thank you all. I really like the support I receive through this forum. The hobby is much more enjoyable.
Does the light not work in either direction? On DCC decoders, the light are directional: front light comes on when loco goes forward, rear light on when loco reverses. I personnaly don't like that so I program the kight to be on regardless of dircetion of travel. Joe
CVs 49 and 50 on TCS decoders have to be set to turn the lights on -- for directional lights, CV49 for the headlight (white wire) shoul be 0, and CV50 for the backup (yellow wire) should be 16. These are the default values for all TCS decoders.
If CV50 is set to 16, it's possible that the bulb's inrush current has burned out the decoder's function input circuitry for the yellow wire.
The check bulb again with a nine volt battery.
Some put a 22 ohm, 1/2 watt resistor in series with one lead of the light bulbs because of in rush current.
Bachmann sells the bulbs i just check at the Bachmann site. Expensive though. Pair for $18.00.
I think a 12 volt Minniatronics miniature light bulb would fit. They are around 2.4mm diameter. around $15.00 for ten with insulated leads. different voltages.
I would connect a DC voltmeter to the decoder leads to verify.
I installed a Digitrax DH123D decoder in a Bachmann Also S-4 switcher and noticed that they had the red track pick-up wires on the fireman's side and the black on the engineers side, the oposite from how they should be.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
I have done Bachmann steamers and diesels. Not a big deal. just followed left and right side of loco. The instructions with the decoder are very clear. I just ignored the wire colors on the loco.
NP2626 I installed a Digitrax DH123D decoder in a Bachmann Also S-4 switcher and noticed that they had the red track pick-up wires on the fireman's side and the black on the engineers side, the oposite from how they should be.
If the OP needs a new bulb, they measure 3.14mm diameter on mine. The Miniatronics 2.4 mm will work.