My club has 4 Bachmann n-scale "DCC Equipped" RS3's. The decoders in them are not very good.
We are looking to replace the factory decoders. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what decoders to use. Some pictures of an install would be great.
Thanks
WS
For a motor-only decoder I would go TCS M1. For a sound decoder I would go Loksound Select Micro. Sorry I can't find any installation pics for you.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Those optioons might be a bit tough to fit in a narrow hood RS3 in N scale.
As to which ones WOULD be a good fit - well, I'm strking out on all the usual choices of sites that have decoder selections or pictures, none of them list the Bachmann RS3 in N scale.
Can you post some pictures of one with the shell off?
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Unfortunately I can't get a picture of one of ours for a little while. All the equipment is in a storage unit right now.
I did find a picture of one here:
http://www.spookshow.net/loco/bachrs3.html
Here is a diagram of the loco.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/N642X-IS001.pdf
The parts page shows a photo of the decoder board, frame and other parts very clearly. The diagram just calls it a PC board.
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.
Bachmann on board dewcoder.
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70_658&products_id=8759
Click on, View image for larger picture.
If you enlarge it, see those two copper culinders to the right? Just to the left of those seem to be where the motor connects (I see an M+ marking) - and just to the left of those copper coild (they are inductors) are what look like two small grey squares. They are most likely the capacitors that are across the motor terminals. This is only a guess, since I don't have one to hold in my hands and positively verify - so don't jump into anything I say next. Even with Bachmann's relatively cheap (although that price - LOL! ), it will work better if those capacitors are removed.
Replacement is going to be interesting. It's very similar to any number of N scale boards but most of them are the type to be clamped between frame halves to pick up power, this one appears to sit suspended above the frame on those plastic clips with wires rnning to the motor and frame. A very small (like a Z scale) decoder should fit in the available space if the factory board is removed, but then you'd have to rig up your own LEDs for the lights as well. No one seems to be listing an exact repalcement for this loco, but it's posisble an existing board repalcement type might fits and even have the LEDs in the right place to work.
Thanks for all the replies. Appreciate the input. I was just hoping that someone had replaced one of these. I have not actually taken one apart.
When I can get them out of storage I'll take one apart and see what will fit. I have a couple of Digitrax Z-scale wired decoders around. They may fit and like Randy says I'll have to rig up some lights.
Yes, I have used a Digitrax DZ125 a real small, thin decoder and quite nice. Now replaced by a new version. I think the DZ126.