Better Decoder for a Bachmann DCC on board GP 30

[cudaken]

 OK, I was not expecting a $60.00 Bachmann DCC on Board engine to run like a Proto engine, well I was hoping but it did not happen.

 Engine does make some noise and does not pull great, 14 to 16 cars is about it's max on my layout. But it is a decent looking engine with me half blind.

 Today I tried to speed match it to a PK 2000 GP 20 and was stunned when I read the Bachmann decoder with my PR 3 and saw there was no CV 6 or 5 settings.

 I had to do some strange settings to the PK 2000 DH 123 to get them close, like CV 2 at 20 and CV 5 at 210.

 I know there are direct replacement for the engine, any ideas of which one and how much? 

 Cuda Ken 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

My choice - Digitrax DH123 or DZ125. You're never going to be able to speed match the POC Bachmann decoder.

[cudaken]

 Jeffery, mine has a PC board, not a 9 pin connection

[alexstan]

I retrofitted a Bachmann GP38-2 with one of these. http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/NCE-BachDSL-Replacement-Decoder-for-Bachman-p/nce-524139.htm
It is a direct drop in replacement for the Bachmann PC board. Really improved the running and made it quieter too.
What locomotive do you have?

[gandydancer19]

I would try TCS for a drop in decoder.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

cudaken

 Jeffery, mine has a PC board, not a 9 pin connection

You don't need a 9-pin connector. They can be hardwired. What I do with Bachmann lightboard decoders like the one in your GP30 is to disconnect the motor wires from the decoder then wire the Digitrax decoders pickup wires to the pickup pads on the Bachmann decoder then connect the Digitrax decoders motor wires to the Bachmann motor wires. Both should be set to the same address before this is done. I reset the Bachmann decoder to 3. The Digitrax decoder should already be at that address if it's at the default settings. once it's wired in put the loco on the program track and set the address. Both decoders will set to the new address if you use a two digit address. The Digitrax decoder will give you motor control and the Bachmann decoder will control the LED's. Of course if you don't want to do that you can remove the board completely and hardwire the Digitrax decoder in and put in your choice of resistors and LED's.

[mlehman]

The loco was $60, the decoder was free. You know what the say about something being worth what you paid for it. Doesn't always apply, but it does in this case.

You could try snipping off the capacitors on the motor required for sales in markets the insist on RFI suppression. That will help some...

But while you have things apart, best to just R&R decent decoder. I can also report good results with the NCE BACH decoder.

[LenS]

alexstan

I retrofitted a Bachmann GP38-2 with one of these. http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/NCE-BachDSL-Replacement-Decoder-for-Bachman-p/nce-524139.htm
It is a direct drop in replacement for the Bachmann PC board. Really improved the running and made it quieter too.
What locomotive do you have?

I retrofitted my ATSF SD40 with the NCE decoder and also dropped one in the non-DCC version. Great runners in consist and strong pullers. Simple conversion for novices. Decoders are pretty inexpensive, but may be hard to find in LHS. My guy ordered mine.

Len S

 

[cudaken]

 Hey thanks for all the answers!

 So bottom line you folks think the Bachmann engine is worth spending the money on. I hate to throw another $20.00 or so on the $60.00 engine if it does not make a mark improvement. Engine is not very quite, I guess some of the racket is from the low end decoder.

 Does Digitrax make a drop in decoder for the engine? I have nothing against NCE, I have a few of there decoders. But my LHS only carries Digitrax.

 Thanks Again!

        Ken

 

[alexstan]

cudaken

 Hey thanks for all the answers!

 So bottom line you folks think the Bachmann engine is worth spending the money on. I hate to throw another $20.00 or so at the $60.00 engine if it does not make a mark improvement. Engine is not very quite, I guess some of the racket is from the low end decoder.

 Does Digitrax make a drop in decoder for the engine? I have nothing against NCE, I have a few of there decoders. But my LHS only carries Digitrax.

 Thanks Again!

        Ken

It is worth it. The afore-mentioned GP38-2 of mine ran a lot better with the NCE retrofit.
And for the other question, no, Digitrax doesnt have a specialized Bachmann drop in decoder. You could hardwire in a Digitrax decoder though. 

[BerkshireSteam]

I rewired a TCS Z scale decoder in a Bach 44 tonner. I don't like Bachmann but the little 44 was a must have loco.