DCC in Bachmann Spectrum Virginian FM H16-44s

[RyanWalters]

I have watched the Virginian series and have found it quite interesting.  The videos were awesome.  

I have not seen one on how they installed DCC in the locomotives.  I think those are Bachmann Spectrum Virginian FM H16-44s.  I have a couple of these older split frame Virginian locomotives and am looking for some guidance for installing DCC with sound in them.  Does anyone have any resources?

Does anyone also have any tune up guides for these older locos?  The ones I have are new in the box (eBay purchases), but still older and I assume will need some TLC.

 

Thanks!

Ryan

[mbinsewi]

Welcome Ryan.

There's this:

http://www.ppdnmra.com/decoder-inst.pdf

Scroll down to page 10, and if you search around, there are others.

During MRR build of the railroad, there were discussions on the locos.

You could even go to the Virginian build and follow each episode, and find info.

You can also search the community, the box to the right, below users on online, and I'm sure you'll find the discussions that went on during the build.

Mike.

 

[richg1998]

First thing to do is measure how much current the motor draws at 12 vdc with motor locked. Most decoders have a one amp limit.

Make sure the loco runs good before converting.

Then spilt the frames and disxconnect the motor pickups from the frames. which pickup from the tracks via the trucks. Watch for all parts. I have done this with a 0-6-0 switcher. I used a small non sound decoder.

The lightboard decoder would replace the PC board. Use LED's. Some decoders might come with LED's but not all. Use a 1k, 1/4 watt resistor if no LED.

Both frames will have DCC on them if you do not disconnect pickups from them so insulate the decoder well

Speaker maybe in the oil tank or above decoder. I just looked at the diagram at the Bachmann site. Looks tight.

I did a Walther's FM some years ago with a SoundTraxx but different frame.

Rich

 

[RyanWalters]

Thanks for the info!  I head them mention the locos a couple of times in the video series but not any in depth discussion.

The pdf doc is helpful!

Thanks again!

Ryan

[RyanWalters]

Thanks!