Help with Bachmann EZ DCC

[prompter]

Picked up the EZ DCC controller last night to do some running until I find my Digitrax which I packed away a few years ago (lack of space for the hobby). Set up a circle of EZ track and in 5 minutes my P2k GP9 QSI was running fine. Next tried the BLI Light 2-8-2 (yes, I've jumped back in the hobby with both feet). It also ran fine, also as #3. Tried to re-assign BLI to #4 - no luck, tried the P2K, same problem. Both remained #3. Tried reading the instructions (always the last hope!) but no luck. Any ideas?

Prompter

[canazar]

Well, this is just a theroy....

the EZ system my not be able to programs those. I know the Bachman engines are fairly simple. BLI and P2K might be more advanced and unable be prgrammed. (Way off the hip theroy) Or try calling Bachman for there support.. Goodluck on that.

On side note, did you getthe set that came with a engine? How does the bachman DCC engine run? I thik they are GP40,50's. I was thinking about getting one of those, snce they are cheap, maybe let the kid get hsi own engine for my lay out.

Best Regards
John kanicsar

[prompter]

Just got the controller. I'm trying to avoid the temptation to buy every DCC loco I see. I have a hugh collection of both diesel and steam in storage from the pre-DCC days that I will have to sell off and/or convert. My new rule (yeah, right!) is to only pick logical equipment with DCC and sound. We'll see how long that lasts. Oh, well, life is short - start with dessert (or in this case - sound!)

[Anonymous]

Ok, my knowledge of DCC is limited, but I'm wondering if this might have something to do with extended Vs standard addressing - maybe the BLI and P2K locos are set up to use 4-digit addresses (which the Bachmann system can't handle) and it's unable to reset them for this reason - just a thought but it would seem possible!

[Anonymous]

The problem may not be the Bachmann EZ DCC System, but rather the QSI decoder. I have an MRC Prodigy Advance DCC system and a Lionel Challenger with the QSI sound and currently have the same problem. I have heard some discussion about the QSI system not being easy to program for various reasons. Tony's Train Exchange has some information about this on their site at http://www.tonystrains.com and even sells a device that is supposed to boost the programming signal so that QSI systems can be programmed by any DCC system. Although they primarily target this system to BLI equipment, I would think that any QSI equipped locomotive (BLI, LL P2K, Lionel, etc.) would suffer the same difficulty.

[rrinker]

You CAN program QSI locos in Ops Mode on the main, if your DCC system support that. The Bachmann does not. I have had no problems changing the address or adjusting the indicudual sound volumes on any of three QSI locos (a BLI GG1, BLI M1A, and Atlas Trainmaster) with my Digitrax Zephyr.

--Randy

[prompter]

Thanks all for the tips. Sounds like the EZ DCC goes back to the store and I go and face the storage room -- I know the Digitrax will be in the bottom box in the back row!

[Anonymous]

Seems to be a special problem with QSI-decoders and not a specific DCC-system. Using an Atlas Commander DCC, you can not change CV1 if you read the current value first and then try to change it. But there is a simple solution with this DCC-system: you have to skip the read. Just enter CV1 and select a value. I know it sounds strange, but it works for this Atlas/Lenz Dcc. It may work for others, too.

[Anonymous]

OK I have 2 BLI's and had no problem programing them once I read thru directions very slowly and watching video helped to. Not sure about the P2k's though. Need help just holler I'll try to go thru directions again and exlpain it much simpler..[:)] Was confusing at first

[Anonymous]

My input is really in response to John Kanicsar's post.

I purchased the E-Z Command setup which came with a GP50 nicely turned out in the Norfolk Southern scheme. Whilst the engine ran smoothly and quietly on DC, it was a shocker when run on DCC. I stripped the engine and found that the universals where not concentric on the motor shafts. This caused a thumping action in the lower speed range, but seemed to ease out a bit when running faster. I fixed this by taking the universals off and reseating them. This got rid of the thumping, but only made the engine noiser with an irritating buzzing sound. Also the truck under the short hood end was not fitted properly and it kept derailing. A fair bit of time spent fiddling with the screw thru the metal chassis finally got that fixed. I might add that it is a sod to dismantle to get to the screw. The unit does not have flywheels by the way. Not that that bothers me at all.

I took this engine back to the shop and we tried several other Bachmann units, which all exibited the same symptoms. From the Bachmann site in the U.K. of all places, I found that the decoder which is incorporated on the Bachmann circuit board is a Lenz LE1000 which is not a silent running decoder, hence the buzzing sound.

I took this board out, and replaced it with an silent running TCS A1 Decoder Board, and I now have a very quiet and smooth running engine. The E-Z Command is now firmly back in its box, as I have purchased an NCE Powerhouse Pro.

You get what you pay for I suppose, but the E-Z Command setup cost me $200.00 here in Australia, of which $85.00 was the cost of the engine. I still expected better quality control in any event.

Regards

David

[Anonymous]

Prompter and others,
There are better forums for DCC advise. I would ask your questions in a DCC forum. Atlas, the-guage, trainboard, yahoo! groups all have excellent DCC forums. I'm putting down this question in the MR forum, but you will find that some geeky guys hang out almost exclusively in DCC forums, and these geeky guys can be really useful.

Good luck