1090 If you run Digitrax just stay away from the On Board decoders in Bachmann locos. They don't work and neither Digitrax nor Bachmann are particularly good at helping you solve the problem. Also, be aware that if you intend to change out the decoders you have to remove capaciters and such in the locomotive before installing another brand decoder as, according to Bachmann, those things are incompatible with other brands. Curious to know if NCE users who have changed out the decoders have handled this.
If you run Digitrax just stay away from the On Board decoders in Bachmann locos. They don't work and neither Digitrax nor Bachmann are particularly good at helping you solve the problem. Also, be aware that if you intend to change out the decoders you have to remove capaciters and such in the locomotive before installing another brand decoder as, according to Bachmann, those things are incompatible with other brands. Curious to know if NCE users who have changed out the decoders have handled this.
Sorry 1090, but I have a couple Bachmann DCC on board, and a couple DCC/Sound on board units, and I run with a Zephyr Xtra and use a DT402 throttle, and have zero issues.
So it is not as bad as stated, Bachmann DCC on board works perfectly fine with Digitrax systems, at least in my experience.
Yes, their DCC boards are basic, but that makes zero difference in "playability" of the units.
It almost seems like you got a bad unit if yours doesn't work at all, or a CV messed up. And if you had a issue with damage to your system, something was amiss somewhere, but not necessarily with the Bachmann unit.
Of course, as they say, "your mileage may vary", or, simply put, your experience may differ.
But in my experience, zero issues with Bachmann DCC on board mixed with Digitrax.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
BigDaddy 1090 if you intend to change out the decoders you have to remove capaciters and such in the locomotive before installing another brand decoder Are these capacitors not on the Bachmann decoder board itself?
1090 if you intend to change out the decoders you have to remove capaciters and such in the locomotive before installing another brand decoder
Are these capacitors not on the Bachmann decoder board itself?
No, the capacitors are on a seperate lighting control board and are easily removed.
The locos in question have a dc lighting board, and a decoder pluged into that board. They also came with jumpers to back convert them to dc only.
Unplug the decoder, plug in two jumpers, and it becomes a pure dc loco.
There are a number of dc throttle systems that will not work with "dual mode" decoders, which generally have marginal dc performance in any case.
I have about 35 Bachmann Spectrum locos, many came with decoders, all have been removed. Removing the capacitors greatly improves both DC and DCC performance.
The capacitors are required for resale in Europe, that's why Bachmann installed them in the first place.
Sheldon
ricktrains4824But in my experience, zero issues with Bachmann DCC on board mixed with Digitrax.
While a simple enough fix (once the issue is tracked down, at least >.>), it can definatly make it look like the two aren't compatible.