Bachmann Online Forum

Discussion Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: sbinning on December 23, 2010, 01:56:15 PM

Title: dcc engine to dc
Post by: sbinning on December 23, 2010, 01:56:15 PM
I bought a train set that is a dc operation.  If I have a dcc equipped engine, what do I need to do to convert it to dc so I can run it.
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: Jim Banner on December 23, 2010, 03:07:13 PM
Usually, nothing.  Most DCC decoders are "dual mode" which means they will run on both dc and DCC.  This can be turned off by programming the decoder with a DCC system but normally is left turned on by default.  Try your DCC locomotive on a dc track and see if it works.  Even if it does not run, this test will not hurt your locomotive.

Jim
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: Kris Everett on December 23, 2010, 03:47:53 PM
I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.  Groucho Marx

or play with your trains. hahahahaha
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: Jim Banner on December 23, 2010, 11:48:29 PM
Kris, I watch Jeopardy! five days a week.  That leaves me about 23 hours short of the national average for television watching.  In terms of 8 hour work days, that gives me three extra days each week to work on and play with my trains, answer your questions, maintain a publically operated model railroad, and teach model railroading.

Like many Groucho quotes, this one wraps up an element of truth in a blanket of humour and feeds it to you in easy to take doses.  I am glad you noticed it and appreciate it.

Jim
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: Kris Everett on December 24, 2010, 07:22:51 AM
well your welcome. i just happen to notice that u didn't add working with your model trains so i figured i would bring it up. i have to say that some people have some really good quotes on the bottoms of posts it funny to read some of them and see what other interest people have besides railroading.
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: jward on December 24, 2010, 10:48:26 AM
jim

i agree about television cutting into my train time. i have a slightly different problem. i live 100 feet from the tracks, and every time i duck under the layout to work on something, they run a train. my knees and my head are getting mighty sore.......
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: Kris Everett on December 24, 2010, 07:40:22 PM
so every time they blow the whistle u thing that some one is playing with your trains and your saying holy cow! didn't know they could go that loud.
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: jward on December 25, 2010, 12:10:51 AM
nope, i am the avid railfan who only happens to model between the real ones.
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: Kris Everett on December 25, 2010, 06:48:13 AM
hahahahahahaha:) u should set up a camera then so that you can record the real ones while you work and then be able to watch them later :)
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: jward on December 25, 2010, 09:20:47 AM
watching them on tape or tv is not the same as being there. maybe i could tape the layout and watch that between trains.
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: CNE Runner on December 25, 2010, 02:34:16 PM
We run a Bachmann Spectrum GE 45 Tonner on the Monks' Island Ry. This model has a dual-mode decoder - which is run exclusively on DC without any problems at all.

Jim Banner: 'Met a couple from Saskatoon here at the RV Resort in Casa Grande, AZ. The funny thing is that they don't know you...their loss.

Regards,
Ray
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: Kris Everett on December 25, 2010, 02:38:47 PM
LOOK UP UR SPELLING OF JIM'S HOME TOWN YOU MISSPELLED IT :)
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: Jim Banner on December 25, 2010, 10:58:50 PM
Quote from: Kris Everett on December 25, 2010, 02:38:47 PM
LOOK UP UR SPELLING OF JIM'S HOME TOWN YOU MISSPELLED IT :)

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.  Yes, that is where I live.  By the way, what does ur spell?




Ray, by all means give my Christmas Greetings to the Saskatoon couple at the Casa Grande RV Resort.  Obviously two of Saskatoon's brighter citizens, having the sense to head to Arizona for the winter.  The other two hundred thousand of us that stayed behind are jealous!

Jim
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: Kris Everett on December 26, 2010, 07:55:47 AM
sorry about that it was chat speak UR means your

oh i just remember you saying something about Saskatchewan

i thought he mispelled it show how much i know.

right? ::)
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: Jim Banner on December 26, 2010, 02:17:51 PM
Kris,
Saskatchewan is the province I live in.  A province is kind of like a state, only larger.  If memory serves, you can fit 14 of your states into the Province of Saskatchewan.  But don't feel too bad.  People from outside Canada often make that mistake.  I have received mail addressed to Sask, Sask, Canada and Saskatoon, Saskatoon, Canada and it still gets through.

Snap Quiz - which of the following is NOT a town in Saskatchewan - Eyebrow Saskatchewan, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan and Elbow Saskatchewan?

Jim
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: Kris Everett on December 26, 2010, 02:26:33 PM
eye brow!!!! ;D
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: Jim Banner on December 27, 2010, 01:29:24 AM
It was a trick question.  None of them are towns.

Eyebrow is a village in Saskatchewan, population 135

Elbow is a village in Saskatchewan, population 294

Moose Jaw is a city in Saskatchewan, population 132,000

Saskatoon is the largest city in Saskatchewan, population 223,000

So now you know.

Jim
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: Kris Everett on December 27, 2010, 06:59:29 AM
hahahaha very funny  :o
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: WTierce1 on December 27, 2010, 07:37:59 AM
Quote from: sbinning on December 23, 2010, 01:56:15 PM
I bought a train set that is a dc operation.  If I have a dcc equipped engine, what do I need to do to convert it to dc so I can run it.

If it is Bachmann, or any NMRA raed brand you shouldent have to mdo anything. just run it on DC.
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: Jim Banner on December 27, 2010, 12:31:31 PM
Quote from: wtierce on December 27, 2010, 07:37:59 AM
If it is Bachmann, or any NMRA raed [SIC] brand you shouldent [SIC] have to mdo [SIC] anything. just run it on DC.

If I am interpreting correctly what I think you are trying to say, that would be true of Bachmann locomotives if the CVs were still set to their factory values.  However, sbinning does not tell us either the brand or how he acquired his locomotive so it is quite possible that CV29 has been programmed or reprogrammed to turn power source conversion off.  There is no NMRA requirement that power source conversion be turned on or even implemented in the decoder.  See the following link, particularly the table showing values for CV29, about half way down the page:
http://www.nmra.org/standards/DCC/standards_rps/rp922.html (http://www.nmra.org/standards/DCC/standards_rps/rp922.html)

And just a reminder that there is a Spell Check button at the bottom of the Post Reply page where you compose your messages.  A few seconds spent correcting your spelling pays back huge dividends in the understandability of your postings.

Jim
Title: Re: dcc engine to dc
Post by: ACY on December 27, 2010, 12:35:47 PM
Also there are decoders that are single mode decoders, so if he bought his locomotive used, it is possible to have a single mode decoder, but not likely. I have seen a few single mode sound decoders around, but don't really see any single mode decoders from back in the early to mid 90's around much any more.