The low end Lenz were shrink wrapped decoders.Look at the link.
I had a couple Bachmann steamers with this decoder. It is a two function, EZ Command decoder. Very limited if you look up the specs at the Bachmann site. Many of the Bachmann steamers had this decoder at one time.Some Bachmann loco diagrams show the eight pin decoder with the DC adapter.
A few diesels had a PC board with an eight pin socket for the decoder. Newer diesels had a complete decoder board with light bulbs or LED's. NCE designed a better one because so many did not like the Bachmann light board decoder in diesels.
Like I said before, Bachmann is noted for changing canoes in the middle of the stream. You will eventually see that Bachmann does not use NMRA colors in DCC wiring.
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_217&products_id=5783
Generaly the Bachmann forums are very helpful with company reps and many Bachmann users.
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.
And yes, both my returned (and exchanged) 50 ton 2-truck shay AND my 4-6-0 which has just demonstrated some degree of decoder impairment (without 'manual' or CV manipulation) share Soundtrax sound-capable decoders! Yet everyone else running fine?! (Yes, by example, prior-cited SD-40-2 did an Aerosmith-train kept a rollin...) so...I need engineering answers from: Bachmann, Digitrax, Sountraxx- of to the phone as daylight rises!! (Engineering, like cardiology- an imperfect science: cause the answer is often "it depends" - I dunno ask my vet cardio instructor! :-)
Thanks Rich, so not just an old Lenz (outdated?) decoder... I'll review before calling Philly tomorrow. You guys are better than the Baker Street Irregulars (sorry, Sherlock Holmes joke- to remind us DCC is not always Elementary!!)
Probably old news now but just found this link. The 21 pin non sound decoder is made by Soundtraxx as well as the sound module.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/factory/OEM_pages/bachmann/bachmann.php
The 15V or less of the HO setting on Digitrax is FINE. Any decoder can take that, HAS to take that for NMRA compliance. 18V would be pushing it, but decoders are supposed to handle that - some don't. You did not harm the decoder running on Digitrax, this was most likely just infant mortality, a defective decoder that was maginal in some way such that when placed in service, it only lasted a short time.
Even the whole thing about pulsed power - depends on how the pulses are generated, and this only applies to DC operation anyway. Some types of pulse, and pulse control like PWM look too much like the DCC signal and confuse the decoder and it operates erratically at best. This is not an issue when using DCC power.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
"not very clear??" Boy do I agree! A call will be made to Philly Monday when they're back. Specifically it's the 2-truck Item #80604. It had the sound card installed at time of motive And sound failure- the lights still functioned. No smoke, no smell... yes it came new from "The Favorite Spot" Denton TX- a source I would trust wholeheartedly! Just like the 10 engines from there before, I had to break factory seals to open the sarcophagus so, NIB! No it did not resume function with removal of sound card (as instructed by Bachmann pre-return).
Ive just tested the Digitrax, the PS615 is delivering just over 15VDC (yes new Digitrax use full D.C. Supplies) the track voltage trim is 14.66 VDC measured digitally as recommended manual pgs. 37-38 that's the lowest I can trim it down! (Digitrax 'max decreased trim'- don't we call that a min? Is 14.5, their nominal is 14.7).
I'm not wet-eared regarding DCC (I was one of several who showed Digitrax that Bachmann smokers cannot be programmed on standand PGM tracks- the smoker acts as a choke! I have a roster of 150 DCC locos is restored with Digitrax (85%), tcs (10%), NCE (4%), and MRC (1%)...
i can give you exact numbers- I keep a register (see NMRA contribution) with all MFR data sheets held in pockets behind a CV log sheet.
But this concerns me cause it may have bearing on any other similar-vintage Bachmann DCC ONBOARD or Bachmann SOUND-EQUIPPED locos I own.
Maybe they need be run at N scale voltages with Digitrax?
Two truck Climax or three truck? Bachmann makes a lot of changes in their locos.
A picture of your loco might help. Any info on the box, paper work?
Last I knew, the two truck comes with 21 pin non sound decoder and you can plug in a “sound” module.
I believe some older Climax had a shrink wrapped Lenz decoder that plugged into a eight pin socket on a PC board. I found an older diagram. You would have to open the shell to see this.
No idea which version you have or how new/old the loco is.
The Shay and Climax locos are also noted for gear cracks but that does not appear to be your issue.
The Bachmann non sound are NMRA compliant, just not the best for good running, fine tuning. A few things bother some but have not heard of any burning out.
I figure from what you said, the voltage must be ok.
I see stalled so the loco did not run. Any lights?
The response from the company was not very clear.
MORGAN S LONG I did a search before posting, might of missed it. I just returned a stalled Bachmann Climax with DCC Onboard. The replacement unit came with a RO stating "do not use pulse on your controller if it is equipped with one. Your locomotive will burn up again. Now, this engine has never been run on ANYTHING but a Digitrax SEBX system- now upgraded to Digitrax Evolution. Not fully understanding the msg (what burned? Motor? Decoder?), does anyone know is there known incompatibility between these Bachmann engines and Digitrax CS/boosters? Is there a fix- changing a CV, changing a CS setting? Thanks anyone for your expertise- don't want a repeat performance!!
I did a search before posting, might of missed it. I just returned a stalled Bachmann Climax with DCC Onboard. The replacement unit came with a RO stating "do not use pulse on your controller if it is equipped with one. Your locomotive will burn up again. Now, this engine has never been run on ANYTHING but a Digitrax SEBX system- now upgraded to Digitrax Evolution. Not fully understanding the msg (what burned? Motor? Decoder?), does anyone know is there known incompatibility between these Bachmann engines and Digitrax CS/boosters? Is there a fix- changing a CV, changing a CS setting? Thanks anyone for your expertise- don't want a repeat performance!!
Did not see exactly why you sent loco back. Assume not running as you did not say you smelled smoke.
Bachmann the last I knew used a low end Lenz decoder in the non sound. Many replace those but have not heard of anyone burning one up.
SoundTraxx decoder in the sound version.
If the decoder did smoke as the company seems to indicate, what is the DCC voltage on your system?
Below is a link to the Bachmann forums if interested with company reps. Different forums for different scales. Loads of good info about Bachmann locos.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php?PHPSESSID=1diqs5pn4q9ml5itjq5844qbi1&
Rapido actually warns its customers not to run their DCC equipped locomotives with a specific MRC DC power pack.
The reason is that when operated in pulse mode (which may be automatic, depending on the speed selected), a short but higher voltage pulse is used to start the motor. This pulse can destroy a decoder which isn't designed for this type of signal.
A DCC decoder cannot be damaged when used with a DCC system, because it was designed to operate within the specifications established in the NMRA's DCC standard. Decoders which can operate on direct current a designed for a typical set of parameters, but no guarantee your analog powerpack conforms to them.
Thanks to all you guys for your prompt reality checks! To clarify:
1. Yes, bought NIB from Denton, TX (a reliable ebayer).
2. Yes, ONLY run on digitrax SEBX NEVER seen DC.
3. All CVs default as I need to set up a programming booster to 'reach into' the Bachmann decoder
both Panama City and Philly were closed yesterday for turkey leftovers, I'll reach out to each for their take... in of further trouble I want Bachmann on record of exactly what I'm using!
thanks!
If you bought the engine new and have only run the engine on DCC, then it should not have burned up in the first place. If you bought it used, then the previous owner my have damaged it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
DCC is a AC wave form. The decoder turns it into DC to run the DC motor in the engine.
DC pulse is not the same as DCC.
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
First, you did not run the motor on Pulse DC. You ran it on DCC. All DCC is pulse. The pulses are how the decoder gets its commands. Pulse DC will not burn up a decoder. If the decoder is "burned up" by pulsed DC, it has something wrong with it from the factory. Digitrax DCC is NMRA compliant. It will not damage a DCC decoder.
Pulse DC confuses decoders. Since DCC is pulse, the decoder sees the pulses but since those pulses are not addresssed to it, the decoder just sits there and does nothing. Use straight DC with no pulses and that same decoder will see it as DC and respond accordingly. Most decoders have the option of turning off the ability to run on straight DC. If so programmed, the decoder will just sit there waiting for the right DCC pulse.
Martin Myers
Since the decoder will let you also run the engine on DC this is a function that came on some DC controlers. I have one from many years ago and it worked for slow speed starts with early DC motors.
If you had a DC only engine with no decoder in it then not a problem. But for DCC decoder equiped engines as they state it is a no-no.
It not some thing you have with a DCC control system. So not to worry.