FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT: Your decoder will work best in DC (analog) mode when using a high quality, electronically regulated power pack, preferably one that supplies smooth, filtered DC power. Older rheostat style power packs and pulse power packs will result in erratic and unreliable operation. If your power pack provides a Pulse power switch, leave it in the 'Off' position.

Since there are no function buttons when using a DC power pack, many of the sounds operate automatically in analog mode.

This DCC locomotive has a higher starting voltage than a non-DCC locomotive. To operate in analog mode, determine the point on the throttle where the locomotive lights and sounds come on and remain steady, but the locomotive doesn't move. This will be the Zero point for this locomotive.

At the Zero point, you will first hear the sound of the pantograph being raised, and the power inverter starting to work. Other random sounds may also turn on such as the air compressor, blower motors, and cooling fans. Very slowly increase the throttle. The horn will blast twice if going forward or three times if going in reverse, the traction motor noise will ramp up, and the bell will turn on. If you continue to increase the throttle the bell will turn off. At this point, only the traction motors and other random sounds mentioned above will play. If you suddenly change the throttle voltage and then back, a grade crossing horn sequence will play. Finally, when you slowly decrease the throttle and bring the locomotive to a stop ( at the Zero point), a single horn blast stop signal will play.

Remember, this locomotive is equipped with TCS Keep Alive®, so the sounds will continue to play for a few seconds after the power is turned off.

If you do not want sound, you can disconnect one lead to the speaker.

I hope it is helpful.

3rail

The ACS-64's are now shipping and showing up on many of your doorsteps.  This is our first product that includes a Sound decoder from TCS.  It is the most feature-packed decoder that we have ever used.  Below are links to all of the documentation that we have available so that you can customize the settings.

ACS-64 Quick Start Guide
ACS-64 NMRA CV List
ACS-64 Electric Programming Guide
Parts Diagram
WOW Sound Comprehensive Programming Guide

We hope that you enjoy this great new locomotive!

Ok, I posted what is available as PDF files on our:

Catalog and Brochures Page.

Have Fun!

3rail

2008 was the first catalog that was generated in digital pdf form.  We have scanned some others, but they take a great deal of time to scan.  If time permits, I will post the ones that we have scanned.

If anyone has scanned our catalogs and wants to share them, please contact me via personal message feature.

3rail

The problem has been corrected. The download option now works.  You will have to clear the cache on your browser to get the updated version. If you still have a problem, you can get the pdf file via this link

Sorry for the inconvenience.

This topic has been moved to Thomas & Friends.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php?topic=34363.0

Bob,

It is very hard to believe that all of your 100 locos have this issue. The locos that you mentioned in your other threads were over 20 years old. If they are older than that, and do not have a flywheel a sudden stop squeal is the wheels sliding on the track.  There is no cure for this.  You have to throttle down slowly on these models.

If your locos have been stored for 20 years or more, you are going to need to clean off the old lubrication and re-lubricate them. Then run them for so time so that the lube gets distributed. This should solve the majority of your problems.

When lubrication and run-in time does not solve the problem, look at these two other possibilities.

1.  Flywheel rubbing against top of shell.  When this happens, it is usually where the body shell curves down on the side. You can thin the flywheel by removing the shell and running the loco on rollers or on blocks to let the wheel spin freely.  While running on the blocks, take a flat metal file to remove some material from the top of the flywheel.  The flywheel needs to be spinning so that it will still be balanced after filing. Make sure to use safely glasses or goggles and a dust mask.  Use compressed air to blow off any metal filings.

2.  Motor worm gear rubbing the inside of the motor mount.  This will go away with time because the worm gear is steel and the motor mount is softer Zamak. However, if it is getting on your nerves, you can take off the truck and then take the motor mount off of the motor and file the inside hole of the motor mount with a round metal file.

Regards,

3rail

Bob,

I know that the Brass Sharks had an older power transistor reverse boards (the early U boats had them too.) The transistors would sometimes overheat, so we started adding heatsinks to them and this solved the problem. If you do not have heatsinks, you may need to resolder the transistors and add heatsinks. We started using a new design in the mid 90's.

If you still have difficulties call our service department during business hours.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/service.php

Regards,

3rail

Dear Norman,

We rarely retire tooling unless it is worn out (the heavyweight cars are not worn out).  We don't have a scheduled return date for the heavyweight cars at this time.  When we do make them again, any new features or improvements will be announced.

Regards,

3rail

Dear Woofer,

The reverse board is designed to work with all Williams locomotives. They have always used DC motors. We will revise our description in the catalog going forward to avoid any confusion.

We do not make a reverse board specifically designed for AC motors.

I found this information on the Internet, but I cannot confirm it will work without having a locomotive with an AC motor to test it, so use it at your own risk:

QuoteHere is a method to operate the AC motor with a DC board and rectifier.


Hot + DC wire from Reverse unit to one AC terminal of the bridge rectifier
The armature across the + and – of a Full Bridge Rectifier
The other AC terminal of the bridge to one of the field coil ends
The common point of the field coil to DC ground on the PC board.

The True Blast Plus board will operate off of AC track voltage and can be triggered with a transformer that has a horn AND bell buttons. 

Older transformers with just a whistle button may work, but will only activate one sound. (IF the rectifier is still in good working condition. Many disc rectifiers degrade with time and do not function properly.)   The horn will blow if the hot lead is connected to the center rail and the bell will ring if the hot lead is connected to the outside rail.

If you do not wish to install these items in your Lionel RDC car, you should return them to the retailer where you purchased them.

Regards,

3rail

Hello EastbrookBridge,

You can buy the shell and other parts for this loco on our parts department. 

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_77_673


Regards,

3rail

John,

There is no easy way to add a lockout to this board.  We will add one the next time we produce this item, and it will require some redesign to the board.  I cannot tell you when that will be scheduled.


In the meantime, here is a solution that may work for you.  It is not a Lock-out, but more of a bypass. The reverse board will still function, so the lighting features will sequence each time (front and rear headlight). This will supply the motor directly with DC power when the switch is thrown one way, and function normally through the circut board in the other position. The rest of the electronics are still live, so the interior lighting and the Trolley bell sound will still work.

When you disassemble the Streetcar, you will see that the interior poles carry the electricity to the control board mounted in the ceiling of the streetcar. There are wires under the seats that connect to the motor and track power contacts. The wiring diagram is below shows the wires. 

For this modification, you will need a Bridge Rectifier and a Double Pole Double throw switch (DPDT).  The biggest problem is going to be locating the switch and bridge.  Some of the latest production of Peter Witts have a punch out in the frame for a switch underneath in the rear.  You will need to locate the bridge so it can dissipate some heat. 






If you have any questions, let me know.


Regards,

3rail

Guys,

You can see that several of the models that were out of the catalog a few years ago are now back with different features.  (The Genesis, GP38, and FA-1.)  We give the models a year or so to clear out the pipeline from time to time.  We invest a significant amount of money in tooling in each model we make, so they won't sit on the shelf forever.

Regards,

3rail

Dear All,

I wanted to verify the functions before I posted.  The extra sockets are just for ease of installation for certain diesels.  They simply supply AC and DC power to other boards in the loco.  They do not have any special functions except for the lockout switch socket.  For normal installations you just use sockets labeled A and B.  Sockets A would be used for each power truck. Socket B is used to power the sound system. If you are controlling a second unit's motors with a tether, you would use Socket C (DC output).   Train+ is AC Hot, Train- is AC Ground, Motor+ is DC+, Motor- is DC-.



Regards,
3rail

A couple of details on the new locomotive.

1. The motors with flywheels are mounted inside the trucks allowing ample space for 3rd party electronics inside the body.

2. The locomotive runs smoothly on O-27 curves and will not derail cars that normally don't derail on O-27 track. The coupler is mounted to the frame and pivots independently of the truck.

3. The sound for the locomotive has been recorded from an actual 44 ton locomotive with the original Caterpillar Prime movers. If you wish to adjust the volume see this post.

4. During testing the locomotive has demonstrated that it has enough power to pull 9 Williams box cars and two 60 ft Heavyweight cars on a straight and level track.

Regards,

3rail