Cannot program a Bachmann Decoder

[Scouser]

I have 2 Bachmann loco's that both came with DCC On-Booard.

I am unable to program either of these decoders, even just to change their address. I'm using a seperate isolated programming track to eliminate any interference from the main.

I've tried a few programs: Friewald Programmer, Locsound and Digitrax, neither of the first 2 will even recognise that a decoder is present. The Digitrax Soundloader does recognise a decoder and can sucessfully read the default address of 3, but it fails to change the address even though it states the change was successful, it doesn't change, it won't read anything from the decoders.

Do I need to be using specfic Bachmann software in order to program these even though they are both supposed to be NMRA compliant?

Any help would be appreciated

 

[BigDaddy]

Some decoders are hard to program.  I didn't think Bachmann was one of those.

 

[mbinsewi]

OP might want to check out the Bachmann site, and their forums.  I have two I hardly use, they run good together, so I left both addresses at 3.

Mike.

[JWhite]

The factory decoders in some Bachmann engines require a resistor on the programming track or they need to be programmed on the main.  I took a short piece of sectional track and soldered a 1000v resistor across the rails and I just connect it to the programming track when I want to program a Bachmann decoder.

Jeff White

Alma, IL

[richg1998]

JWhite

The factory decoders in some Bachmann engines require a resistor on the programming track or they need to be programmed on the main.  I took a short piece of sectional track and soldered a 1000v resistor across the rails and I just connect it to the programming track when I want to program a Bachmann decoder.

Jeff White

Alma, IL

 

By the way, it is a 1000 ohm resistor.

I read that a few years ago in the Bachmann forums. Posted by a Bachmann rep. The questtion was by someone using a Digitrax system.

Rich

[rrbnsf]

What are you trying to change the address to? If it's a long address, make sure CV29 is being updated to tell the decoder to respond to the long address. 

Mine was not, I had to go manually change it.

[ba&prr]

Th Digitrax Soundloader is for programing Digitrax sound decoders only. Download JMRI if you haven't yet and use the PR3 for programing using JMRI.   Joe

[Scouser]

I was successful in programming them using JMRI Decoder Pro 

[GO_OSU]

I am new to DCC and just started this year.  I have done a lot of research after starting with Bachmann.  I am using a pi-SPROG One and have attempted to reprogram the DCC Address from the default address of "3" on my Bachmann trains using JMRI Decoder Pro 3.  All with SoundTraxx decoders.  I cannot get the address to change on the decoder even if the Decoder Pro 3 says that it changed.  I believe you were successful to use JMRI Decoder to change the DCC address.  How did you accomplish this?  I have been using a programming track and appropriate programming mode in the JMRI.

[DigitalGriffin]

Those Bachmann DCC (non sound) are a pain in the tail to program.  It took a Soundtraxx PTB-100 program track booster to get it to work.  But every once in a while it would get scrambled and I would have to redo it.

Some people say putting a 100 Ohm resistor across the tracks helps.  I find this curious as response is read from current consumption from the track.  If you are constantly using current due to the resistor, it could make it hard for the command station to read the decoder responses.

[Scouser]

I believe I did it on a programming track with a 100ohm resistor across it, other than that I don't think it took anything special, I was simply able to read from it using JMRI and then change and the address.

It actually went quite smoothly, that's probably not much use to you, but perhaps I was just lucky.

[rrinker]

 Problem is, those decoders don;t put enough load on the program track for the command station to detect. Adding a resistor adds a load, but using the right value means that load is below the detection threshold - but combined with the decoder's load, now it creeps over the line and the command station can detect it.

                                    --Randy

 

[jjdamnit]

Hello all,

I have several locos that use Bachmann decoders. Some OEM and some aftermarket installations either via the 8-pin NMRA socket or hard-wired.

These decoders are EXTREEMLY simple and cheap.

On my pike I have the ability to Program On The Main, a Programing Track/Spur and a separate Programing track using Decoder Pro JMRI.

There have been occasions that Decoder Pro can't read the Bachmann decoders.

What I do is put the loco on the main and then "wake it up" (for lack of a better term) by calling up the address; even if it is 3, and moving the loco back and forth through the controller.

Then I remove the loco to the JMRI programing track, re-read the decoder and usually it works.

Yes, this is a workaround. Admittedly not the best solution but it has worked.

A more permanent solution is to replace the Bachmann decoder(s) with an upgraded brand. I've had good luck with the Digitrax 126 series.

Hope this helps.

[BRVRR]

The Bachmann "DCC on Board Decoders" are usually low cost Lentz decoders. The same is true for some of the early Atlas locos with DCC installed. I had a devil of a time programing them with my Digitrax DCS50 command station, until I put a 1000 ohm 1/4 watt resistor across the programing track.

After that, no problem. My resistor has a small alligator clip on each lead so it is easily installed or removed. Here is a link to a photo:

http://www.brvrr.com/images/1000ohmthumb.JPG

[jjdamnit]

Hello all,

BRVRR

I put a 1000 ohm 1/4 watt resistor across the programing track.

Thanks for the tip!

I'll give it a try. Sounds much easier than the "wake-up" method I've been using.

Thanks for the help.