General Discussion (Model Railroader)

I just got a Spectrum 2-10-2 (off of eBay) that is DCC equiped. Is there any thing I need to do to it before I run it on my DC layout (ie. unplug the the circuit board)? The instructions aren't clear about it and I don't want to screw anything up.

J.P.

G'day JP,

There's nothing you have to do to your Spectrum 2-10-2 on a DC layout. Put it on the tracks & enjoy.

 I have two non-sound & one Tsunami 2-10-2s & all run smoothly from the box. The Tsunami one did require some lubing after a short period, so I think Bachmann has adopted BLi's policy of not oiling the locos axles & rods Gearbox is lubed].

For some reason the Tsunami can pull six more ore cars than the other two - not that i'm complaining - 24 to 30 ore cars makes a great train.

 Cheers.

Mark

Good info guys thanks! 

river_eagle wrote:

You don't have to do anything for it to run on DC, but you can, if you want, open the tender, unplug the decoder, and install the jumpers, (two litle metal three pin clips, included) the loco will then run at a lower voltage.

River_eagle, What would be the advantage/disadvantage to  runnning the engine at a lower voltage? 

jep1267 wrote:

Good info guys thanks!   river_eagle wrote: You don't have to do anything for it to run on DC, but you can, if you want, open the tender, unplug the decoder, and install the jumpers, (two litle metal three pin clips, included) the loco will then run at a lower voltage. River_eagle, What would be the advantage/disadvantage to  runnning the engine at a lower voltage?

None, really.  The decoder is designed to mete out voltage to the motor even though it might get more.  If the loco runs too quickly for you, slow it down by dialing down the voltage.

I think the question pertains to the increased voltage that a sound decoder takes.  When you place a sounded loco on a DC track, it takes much more voltage to get the loco underway because the first bit is sucked up by the decoder to produce sound.  For example, my BLI J1d Hudson will move at speed step one under DCC because that is the minimum required for that motor to move the loco.  In DC, the sound starts up right away, or with only a slight input of voltage, but the loco won't move until you dial in about 7 volts, give or take.  In DCC, the track is fed full voltage all the time, and the decoder apportions it first for sound (the first thing to happen when you power up the layout), and the rest goes for other functions as you set them, including momentum.

Edit-placed text in wrong position.

selector wrote:

jep1267 wrote: Good info guys thanks!   river_eagle wrote: You don't have to do anything for it to run on DC, but you can, if you want, open the tender, unplug the decoder, and install the jumpers, (two litle metal three pin clips, included) the loco will then run at a lower voltage. River_eagle, What would be the advantage/disadvantage to  runnning the engine at a lower voltage?  None, really.  The decoder is designed to mete out voltage to the motor even though it might get more.  If the loco runs too quickly for you, slow it down by dialing down the voltage. I think the question pertains to the increased voltage that a sound decoder takes.  When you place a sounded loco on a DC track, it takes much more voltage to get the loco underway because the first bit is sucked up by the decoder to produce sound.  For example, my BLI J1d Hudson will move at speed step one under DCC because that is the minimum required for that motor to move the loco.  In DC, the sound starts up right away, or with only a slight input of voltage, but the loco won't move until you dial in about 7 volts, give or take.  In DCC, the track is fed full voltage all the time, and the decoder apportions it first for sound (the first thing to happen when you power up the layout), and the rest goes for other functions as you set them, including momentum.

The advantage would be that the loco would start at a lower voltage compariable to a standard DC loco, {say 3 volts instead of 4.5-5volts /7-9 volts for sound decoders} you are not powering up the decoder first.

 also if a decoder loses power from say, dirty track, it will shut down and recycle before starting out again,instead of just picking up where it left off under flywheel power.

But it's "if ya' want to, not ya' need to do it, and right now!"

Also, if you do put the jumpers in I would leave the decoder inside for if you ever convert to DCC or visit a friends, or club layout that is DCC you'll know right where it is, and just have to plug it back in.

Thanks guys! Once again this board has provided very helpfull and quick responses to my posts. I am not running sound and I am interested in low speed performance so I will probably pop the jumpers in, after a test run of course.

J.P.