I have the Bachmann RS-3 and am pleased with the way it runs. However, when it sits there idle on the turntable or in the yard it is chuffing away and soaking up amps. Is this a CV configuration issue? I would prefer that when it is not in service that it just sit there quietly.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
It is not drawing amps, only milliamps. Much less than one amp.
Hit F8. Found in the Bachmann forums.
You could also try hitting emergency stop.
What does your DCC controller manual say?
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.
It's using very little power just sitting there............or working. If the sounds are bothersome when it's idle in the yard you might gap a rail and make a dead section to store the engine. Install a switch to kill the power to that particular location and when the RS pulls in and is ready for a "time out" you just turn the switch off and the egine will be dead and quiet until you flick the switch and want or need the engine again.
oldline1
You are correct Rich, it is not drawing full amps. It is drawing 0.56-0.61 amps according to the NCE Powercab redout. I think that is a little high when you consider that the Powercab is a 2 amp system, but then again I am a bit on the electricity challenged side. and I have been trying to and continue to see if I can find something in the manual. Even just turning down the volume would be better.
There isn't a CV for this in this decoder. Your best bet is to use the F8 to mute the sound.
I really doubt you are drawing over half an amp with this locomotive at idle. I wouldn't expect it to be drawing much more than a quarter amp when running, personnally.
Peter
Peter I understand your skepticism, but if it is drawing less than what the display indicates, then there is a problem with the display.
Over half an amp with the motor not turning seems WAY excessive. If the display is accurate, something else seems amiss. Sure it's at speed 0, and not instead at step 1 and slowly trying to push past the end of the track or something?
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Over the past several years, decoders have been using less and less amperage to perform the same amount of work, including emitting their sounds. When I first entered the hobby 12 years ago, the typical sound decoder would use 0.6 - 0.8 amp to haul maybe 12 cars worth of resistance in train weight and make sounds at a reasonable volume. If an idling modern decoder is using up anything close to half an amp with no motive output, and just making noises, there's either a problem with the decoder or a problem with the measurement.
Randy/Selector...It is over 0.5amps and the speed is set to 000. It is the only locomotive that behaves that way, which is why I thought something might be amiss. F8 does not work and neither does Emergency Stop, pressed once. I think I am going to set the decoder back to the factory default settings, reprogram it, and if the phenomenon continues, then a phone call to Bachmann might be in order. Either that or a trip to Litchfield Station.
Some time ago, I swore off Bachmann, but after reading some reviews of this locomotive I bought it, and it runs great. Except for this problem. I have 2 RS2's and this RS3 which fit into the 1950s/early 60's and I like the way they look.
PS: All my other decoders draw less than 1/2 amp as the locomotives choo choo down the track.
Is it equipped with capacitors? Would that be the amperage draw?
Capacitors? Beats me. But I have been in touch with Bachmann and everything is gong to be cool.
bearman Capacitors? Beats me. But I have been in touch with Bachmann and everything is gong to be cool.
then my guess is the answer is yes because I think this is one of the newer locomotives. And it runs great.
The Sound Value locos most definitely do noto have a keep alive in them. Anyway that would only draw current at initial power on while it charged.
Being a bachmann loco, it almost certainly has capacitors and inductors in the motor drive, but those too will cause no power draw or variation unless the motor is actually running.
Adding to what Randy said, below is a link about the caps used in Bachmann locos. No caps, the two 4.7 microhenry inductors are a moot point. The same as a straight piece of wire.
Some locos, they are mistaken for resistors.
https://sites.google.com/site/markgurries/home/dcc-problems/decoder-problems/motor-control/poor-motor-control-on-bachmann
This should be the soundboard. I do not see the caps but they are prpobably surface mount type. May be under the PC and possibly the inductors.
Check the motor. I have seen one to three caps on some Bachmann locos.
My 70 ton had three yellow blob caps on the motor. Inductors were on a PC board.
Bachmann makes a lot of changes with the same ingine.
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/images/ho_parts/HO-SDC-DIESEL.JPG
There might be a chance Bachmann has optivised the decoder for this issue. The DCC ready usually have the caps and inductors. Mine did.
Yeah, something is wrong somewhere. I just fired up eight engines (Loksound decoders) and with all eight just sitting there idling, the current draw is 0.437 amps .... less than your single Bachmann !
Mark.
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