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.
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
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.
The factory Bachmann decoders (not Soundtraxx sounvalue) buzz loudly at slow speeds, so, like any decoder that does that, its pointless for me to own one.
- Douglas
I have a B&O GP 7, B&O GP 9 and a Western Maryland RS-3. I love them, they may lack some detail but run great. I am very happy with them. I should mention that I run dc. I also have a B&O F7, Western Maryland F7 and Western Maryland Also S-2. I love those as well.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
The capacitors in question cause problems no matter what the DCC system, and even on some NON-DCC systems (just ask Sheldon - the interfere with anything that uses PWM, like his Aristo system). Even the Bachmann decoders work better if the capacitors are removed.
There's no reason these locos wouldn;t run on a Digitrax or any other system. They aren't the best decoders, but they are compliant with standards. The LAST thing anyone should do is by an aftermarket one at the price bachmann charges - you're MUCH better off with any number of other decoders that sell for a fraction of the price.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
BerkshireSteamThat's my experience. The engine itself (44 ton) looks great, and since I changed decoders it runs great too. TCS Z2 decoder used
I didn't have any problems programing the Bachmann decoder with my Tech 6 like I mention above but,then the Bachmann decoder is a simple DCC decoder that is meant for simple DCC use and at that it does the job.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Mark R. I found the Bachmann decoders to be just "ok". I usually swap them out for TCS decoders right from the get-go. The difference in performance is amazing. Much smoother control, and no jerking between speed steps. The Bachmann engines are actually really nice running engines in their own right, the decoder they use doesn't allow the engine to run as nice as its potential though. All my Bachmann decoders usually end up in cabooses or passenger cars to control lighting. Mark.
I found the Bachmann decoders to be just "ok". I usually swap them out for TCS decoders right from the get-go. The difference in performance is amazing. Much smoother control, and no jerking between speed steps.
The Bachmann engines are actually really nice running engines in their own right, the decoder they use doesn't allow the engine to run as nice as its potential though.
All my Bachmann decoders usually end up in cabooses or passenger cars to control lighting.
Mark.
mclean rrHas any one run DCC OnBoard locos at the same speed while consisting them out of the box?
Simple answer, yes. 2 Bachmann Baldwin RF-16 Sharks addressed, mu'd , then quietly circulated the layout, with a ten car train, including two "John Allen" Masonite track cleaning cars, for approximately 12 hours over two and a half days at an exhibition with one change in running direction.
I"d agree with the comments made by Jeffery and Sheldon.
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
mclean rr I have DCC On Board with 2 diesels from my Digital Commander set. The diesels overall operate well. However when I try to consist them I have a problem. They run at slightly different speeds on the same address. Since I only have the EZ Command DCC controller I have not programmed any of the CVs. Has any one run DCC OnBoard locos at the same speed while consisting them out of the box? thanks
I have DCC On Board with 2 diesels from my Digital Commander set. The diesels overall operate well. However when I try to consist them I have a problem. They run at slightly different speeds on the same address.
Since I only have the EZ Command DCC controller I have not programmed any of the CVs.
Has any one run DCC OnBoard locos at the same speed while consisting them out of the box?
thanks
How different is slightly different? Do the run smoothly with each other when coupled together? Do they start and stop at nearly the same throttle setting when coupled together?
If so, don't worry about it, you will not hurt them by running them together.
DCC speed matching is a wonderful thing for those who need it - but it has been used to propagate the idea that locos need to run EXACTLY the same speed to be double headed/MU'ed - not true and way over blown - in DC we were running locos in groups of three or four with no "speed matching" long before DCC.
I have long list of different steam locos that have no problem double heading - different brands, wheel arrangements, etc.
It won't hurt them to run them together with a slight speed difference. If they're pulling a light load, say less than ten cars you could put the faster one out in front. If pulling a heavier load, ten or more take your pick but I always ran the faster one second in line as the load would slow it slightly.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
I would also like to know that as well Doug. I was just looking at there Doddle Bug and while it comes with a decoder, it all stated it had a 8 pin plug as well.
I was all so wondering what is the differences between there Spectrum line and there Stranded line engines? I it just the detail, or does it have more to do with the drive?
I am half way thinking about a GP9, GP-40 and a GP7.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Doug from MichiganAre Bachmann's decoders hard wired, or do they use NMRA plugs for easy swapping?
Train Modeler I didn't like the way the original decoder worked on my Berkshire, very jerky. Since I wanted to add sound anyway, we changed it out for a Soundtraxx unit and the loco runs great now. Very good with electrical pickup and slow speed. Richard
I didn't like the way the original decoder worked on my Berkshire, very jerky. Since I wanted to add sound anyway, we changed it out for a Soundtraxx unit and the loco runs great now. Very good with electrical pickup and slow speed.
Richard
I set the start volt and several CVs using my trusty MRC Tech 6 and now my 70 tonner will crawl from tie to tie.I also set the momentum and now one must be about his witts when running this engine.
TA462 Dannyboy6 I know a lot of the fellows are having great fortune with the BMan's products; great for them! My experience has been less than stellar in N scale. I find their products mediocre compared to Kato, and I had 2 service incidents with new products that I have to give them a FAIL on. I have switched my loyalty to Kato and won't consider their products...sorry Bman Fans. Comparing Bachmann to Kato is like comparing a Hyundai Accent to a new Cadillac. Mediocre is a polite word for MOST of their products. I do like some of their stuff though.
Dannyboy6 I know a lot of the fellows are having great fortune with the BMan's products; great for them! My experience has been less than stellar in N scale. I find their products mediocre compared to Kato, and I had 2 service incidents with new products that I have to give them a FAIL on. I have switched my loyalty to Kato and won't consider their products...sorry Bman Fans.
I know a lot of the fellows are having great fortune with the BMan's products; great for them!
My experience has been less than stellar in N scale. I find their products mediocre compared to Kato, and I had 2 service incidents with new products that I have to give them a FAIL on. I have switched my loyalty to Kato and won't consider their products...sorry Bman Fans.
Comparing Bachmann to Kato is like comparing a Hyundai Accent to a new Cadillac. Mediocre is a polite word for MOST of their products. I do like some of their stuff though.
A few thoughts:
Kato is primarily an N scale company, and as such is truly the top of line in N scale.
I personally have no experience with Bachmann N scale products so I will leave that to those who do.
Personally I would drive anything made by FORD before I would drive a Cadillac - those things are ugly.
And I would drive a Hyundai before I would drive a long list of other imported/foreign makes - but none of those foreign companies has yet to build a car or truck that suits my needs.
Now back to Bachmann. In HO, I have over 30 Bachmann steam locos, mostly Spectrum but a few of the NEW models in the regular line. All are great runners and reasonable to excellent in detail. There have been just a few duds, but Bachmann replaced them with perfect runners.
I also have a few Bachmann diesels of newer production, and have some friends who have a bunch of the new GP7's with DCC. They all run great, even if the detail is a little sparse. I have GE 70 tonners, doodlebugs, and GE 44 tonners - all good runners.
I do know that all the Bachmann decoders are "basic" - if I was using DCC, I would replace them.
But being a DC user, I remove them and sell them to the highest bidder on Ebay - they always sell.
I have two Bachmann N scale DDA40X, one 44 Ton and one 70 ton locomotives. They are very smooth, quiet and crrep so slow you have to count the ties to see them move. I would rate these new engines on the same quality level as Atlas Fox Valley and Kato. Their pulling power is on par with the other manufactureres. and will consist with all other manufacteres and can use 4 digit addressing.
I have a GP40 that is ok runs fairly well but the detail is not there. I also have a GP38 and it look good and runs good. The 40 with a little paint and detail is fine. They are not of the Proto 2000 quality but the price is far less. Even still they are a lot of bang for the buck.
RMax
I bought a GP9 a few month ago. It was noisy and I couldn't program a decent starting speed. I then followed Randy's (rrinker) advise and replaced the decoder with a NCE Bach-DSL HO decoder. Now I have a nice addition to my roster, running as well as any P2K I have. It is not as much detailed but it is worth every dollar I invested.
Guy
Modeling CNR in the 50's
I have three on my layout right now. There run quite well right out of the box, even better if you change out the decoder
Mark,
Good idea on reusing the Bachmann decoders.
I tend to share the same opinion. They're cheap enough locos, I consider the decoder a freebie -- and worth what you paid for it. One my 70-tonners, I just gave up on 'em. On my more recent production 44-tonner, a different decoder works fine after a little tweaking.
Bachmann is constantly improving their stuff, so worth checking out to see if suitable, even in spite of some negative comments IMO. The mechanisms are generally pretty good now.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Joe Staten Island West
I'm pretty happy with the onboard decoders in Bachmann's newest steam locomotives, but I'm not a fan of the onboard decoder in the diesels. I always end up removing the Bachmann decoder and installing a NCE decoder in the diesels. I always have better results with it.
-Stan