I'm not up to speed on decoders & sound but I want to buy a Bachmann Loco that has DCC and Soundtraxx decoder w/ prime mover, 3 air horns & bell. Will these work on a DC layout?
Yes. Bachmann work out of the box on DC. You will have to turn the control up higher than with a DC only loco. The microprocessor needs at least five volts just to wake up and maybe a couple more volts for the loco to move,
Some sounds will work. Not all. MRC sells a box you put between your DC power pack and track. You can activate more sounds.
Make sure your pack does not have pulse power. Pulse power confuses the decoder.
You might consider joining the Bachmann forums. Lots of good info about Bachmann trains, CV list, diagrams, repair, replacement pages, company reps.
SoundTraxx has the Bachmann CV list also. Bachmann are stripped down decoders. The list will be different than a SoundTraxx decoder you install yourself.
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.
Something to be aware of. If you buy a Bachmann loco with on board sound, many disable the DC function. In a number of forums I have seen some do this as under DCC control, they experience a runaway if the function is still valid.There is a CV for this.