Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Decoder removal Bachmann Mikado

4026 views
34 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, January 17, 2021 9:44 AM

I guess I'm not understanding what the OP has.

So, this is a "DCC ready" (no decoder installed) loco, with sound that works on DC ?

Mike.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Saturday, January 16, 2021 11:29 PM

richg1998

You can find the loco diagram easily enough at the Bachmann site. Just Google Bachmann forums. It will pop right up.

You can also turn all sounds to zero. A the CV last there also. I will let you find it.

Rich

 

Bachmann's parts diagrams do not give any electrical details, but the tender parts diagram sure looks like there is only one circuit board with an intergrated sound decoder.

As a DC operator using Aristo Train Engineer throttles, I remove all decoders because they will not work with the PWM output from the Train Engineer.

I have not yet had occasion to purchase a Sound and Value loco and see what will be required to make it straight DC. But I suspect it will require removing the circuit board and rewiring the lights. OR, salvaging spare lighting boards, which I have a few of in surplus DC Bachmann tenders.

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Saturday, January 16, 2021 7:22 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
... it is my understanding that the Bachmann sound and value locos do not have separate lighting boards and decoders connected with 8 pin plugs?

If that is so, then cutting or desoldering and insulating the one speaker wire becomes a compelling way to accomplish the desired effect.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Saturday, January 16, 2021 7:05 PM

Trainman440

Hi! Sorry for the late response. If you want to remove the decoder, that's fine, just unplug the 8 pin socket in the tender (google NMRA 8 pin to get a reference as to what it looks like), and replace it with a dummy DC plug which should be included in the box in a little baggie. 

To get inside the tender, there should be one screw on the centerline toward the front on the bottom of the tender. (Dont remove the screws holding the trucks on!). Then lift the shell from the front, and unlatch the two plastic clips near the back of the tender.

Hopefully this helps!

Charles

 

I could be wrong, but it is my understanding that the Bachmann sound and value locos do not have seperate lighting boards and decoders connected with 8 pin plugs?

Have you had one apart to see otherwise?

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    May 2014
  • From: Pennsylvania
  • 1,154 posts
Posted by Trainman440 on Saturday, January 16, 2021 6:52 PM

Alternatively, you can just cut one of the speaker wires, which will silence the engine. But be aware that reverting your changes will require you to resolder that wire. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440

Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 32 posts
Decoder removal Bachmann Mikado
Posted by MECman on Saturday, January 16, 2021 5:26 PM

I have a Bachmann sound value 2-8-2 pulling freights on my MEC layout. I'm a dinosaur who still uses DC for control for a variety of reasons. The loco works fine in DC, but honestly, I find the sound annoying. How does one dissasemble this model to remove the decoder and will this be an easy task? If I remove it, will the engine run fine witout any other changes?

Thanks,

David

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!