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Rolling Stock and DCC

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  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Staten Island NY
  • 1,734 posts
Posted by joe323 on Friday, February 27, 2015 3:57 PM

Be aware that since DCC runs at a constant voltage which can be high It may shorten incandesent bulb light.  Also in my case my MTH Shark Tank (My RR's Collection Agency :))Car runs at full speed.

Joe Staten Island West 

  • Member since
    November 2012
  • 41 posts
Posted by Jay Dubbs66 on Friday, February 27, 2015 8:08 AM

Thanks for all the responses.  I will keep on plugging on this layout, as it is getting close to powering up.

Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm.

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • 257 posts
Posted by RR Baron on Thursday, February 26, 2015 2:29 PM
Bachmann factory installed lighting in On30 and HO passenger cars built to pick up power from the rails are suitable to use with DCC power without any modification.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Thursday, February 26, 2015 2:11 PM

If your Bachmann On30 passenger cars are anything like their HO scale version, they use incandescent bulbs that will work just fine on DCC power -- but electrical pickup is not very steady or reliable and you may get a lot of flickering.

Even worse, there is only one bulb in the center of the car and lucite light guides that are supposed to carry light to the ends, but what you get is a very bright glow in the center of each car and dark ends.

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Thursday, February 26, 2015 12:15 PM

Just in case. There is a Bachmann website with different forums. One forum for On30 with Bachmann reps there.

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.

  • Member since
    November 2012
  • 41 posts
Posted by Jay Dubbs66 on Thursday, February 26, 2015 11:53 AM

They are Bachmann On30, and they get the power from the rails.


 

Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm.

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Mount Vernon WA
  • 968 posts
Posted by skagitrailbird on Thursday, February 26, 2015 11:51 AM

How are your passenger cars presently lit? Incandescent Bulbs or flourescent tupes or LED's? What is the voltage rating of your lights? How are they getting power? I assume the power source is the rails. If not, what?

Roger Johnson
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Thursday, February 26, 2015 11:40 AM

Might not make any difference but which brand of passenger car?

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.

  • Member since
    November 2012
  • 41 posts
Rolling Stock and DCC
Posted by Jay Dubbs66 on Thursday, February 26, 2015 11:24 AM

Do I need to rewire all my lighted Passenger Cars to operate on a DCC layout?  I have searched the forums and can't seem to find an answer.

TIA

JW

Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm.

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