Ok, when I get to the Russian I'll for sure consult with the Bachmann Technicians.  Meanwhile back on the 2-10-2 with the harness & plugs coming from the tender and connecting to the locomotive pictured below, one more thing... 

The black & gold box it came in has a sticker proudly announcing "DCC ONBOARD."  Can I be safe in assuming this locomotive & tender is DCC ready to roll right out of the box or[/B] should I consult with Mr. Bach Mann or a Techie here at Bachmann?




Many thanks people-
Rick

My connection bar didn't live long enough to be enjoyed.  I can't physically repair the locomotive myself so it's going to take a trip back to "Keith at Repairs" at Walthers.


Rick w/ mouthstick

Quote from: Yampa Bob on February 15, 2009, 06:05:26 AM
Hi Rick,
I posted some pictures and pin-out information in this thread that might help. They are not the same as your tenders, but just for reference. I would suggest using a Bachmann decoder in the tender, better chance of being compatible with the pc board. With another brand decoder, you may have to clip the suppression capacitors on the board.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,7439.0.html

As mentioned, there are at least 2 different plug configurations.  The tender you show has the female plugs on the tender, that plug into the male connector on the locomotive.  I believe your Russian has the wires/plugs coming out of the loco, to be plugged into the tender, similar to the Spectrum 2-8-0.

The separately available USRA tenders, like the one I show in my thread, come with an adapter harness to use either way, however the harness is not wired correctly for all locomotives which can result in incorrect direction of loco. 

Regards.

I just got some pictures taken which is what I should have done.  The steam locomotives and their tenders, all Spectrum Series, are pictured below.

This is the 2-10-0 Russian Decapod advertised as "DCC Ready."  The locomotive is equipped with the wiring and 4pin & 2pin male plugs.  The tender accepts the connections.  The 4pin ocket is horizontal and the 2pin socket is perpendicular.




This is the 2-10-2 "Light" with DCC onboard.  The loco s on it's ide.  The locomotive accepts the 4pin and 2pin plugs.  Both sockets are horizontal.  The wires originate from the tender.





Another passing thought - do these two pins and wiring date my locmotives?  I opened these "new in the box" in January 09, purchased from the stock of a Tulsa hobby store.  When I opened one a card for a 'new' 2003 catalogue fell out.  The other had a similar dated card for a Thomas catalogue.

Thanks,
Rick with a stick

Quote from: pdlethbridge on February 15, 2009, 12:13:07 AM
There is a small board in the tender that these wires are attached to. There is a NMRA 8 pin plug on the board with a dummy plug to run on a DC system. Decoders with a 8 pin male plug would fit in that board. The board is there to comply with Different countries that have laws about electrical emissions, like when a train runs and it causes the TV to buzz.

Is it possibly as easy as plugging a DCC decoder into that 8 pin Male plug to convert the Spectrum 2-10-0 Russian Decapod to DCC? 

My Spectrum 2-10-2 "Light" has DCC onboard but no sound.  Could this be easily converted to have sound also?

The more I read the more I learn.  The more I learn the more I need to learn.  Sometimes terminology gets doesn't make a bit of sence.  I worked on a Zenith tv repair bench in two towns working my way through college.  That was back in 1970 through 1973.  I remember vacuum tubes - not PCBs.

Some may say after reading my posts, "pick it up and look at it."  I would if I could but I'm a quad - paralyzed from the armpit area down.  I keyboard with a mouthstick and have an electronic head control on my powerchair.  I've been paralyzed since Dec 1973.  I'm back into HO RR'ing after packing my first 8' x 16' Tyco layout away in 1968.  Lots of things have changed since then.

Thanks-
Rick

Quote from: Nigel on February 15, 2009, 12:11:20 AM
They are not all the same.  Some will interchange, some will not.  There are at least two different "flavors", possibly three or more.

I don't want to interchange or rearrange.  These two locos are my first Bachmanns.  I just want to know if all Steam locomotives and tenders have the wiring harnesses on the locomotive (where mine are located) that plug into the tender.

I posted the pic of the tender because (a) it depicted the two connectors I have onboard my locos and (b) the picture was handy.  The wiring and female connectors are attached to my two Spectrum locomotives - not on my tenders[/i].  I hope I didn't throw anyone with the pic of the tender I got over in HO Products.

Thanks-
Rick

I have the two Bachmann Steam Locos listed above.  The 2-10-2 Light is DCC equipped.  The 2-10-0 Russian is "DCC Ready."  Both locos have two sets of wires connected to plastic connectors that plug into the tenders.

I don't have a DCC setup yet - just DC.

Are the wiring and connectors between the steam locomotives and their tenders of a Spectrum series a typical Bachmann setup?  Are all their steam locomoives like this?

The locomotives have the wiring and plastic male plug that inserts into the female connections of the tender.

Here is a Bachmann picture for reference.  These wires / plugs are what I'm asking about.

Okie Rick

...It was a dark and stormy night.  Actually it was here in OK, tornadoes claimed 11 lives in Lone Grove and the OKC area in the first tornado related storms of 2009.

I also derailed my Proto 2000 Spectrum Series 2-10-2 Heavy, Illinois Central 2924.  It was a gentle derail - the locomotive and tender rolled over and slid down a grade (6-7").  The DCC & Sound connection and wiring was intact.  The wreck resulted in the breaking of the cheap plastic loco to tender coupling device of the Proto 2000 DCC and Sound.  I was a tad bit upset to find this part of the loco and tender was so fragile.  It's 2 months old, Walthers told me today it was not warrantied for repair (I didn't figure it would be) but was told to send them part #s to see if they were available.

I'm inclined to change the way the Proto locomotive and tender couples to something a bit stronger & less apt to break.  Something like the Bachmann USRA 2-10-2 Light coupler - a simple piece of metal hooked between both units.  As shown in the exploded view of parts & snipped by me.



It would be a lot more substantial than the paper matchstick sized plastic connection that Walthers - Proto - Life-Like puts on their top end series of steamers.

I know you're supposed to be easy on these locomotives and such but if the first accident you have destroys the action and fun maybe[/i] it's time to retool.

Okie Rick

My first Sound & DCC 2-10-2 Steamer has a Quantum decoder in it.  I bought the Quantum Engineer Sound Controller to use on my DC track.  I'm fairly sure these things are decoder brand specific (don't use a Quantum box on a Soundtraxx manufactured decoder).  The box I bought at about $50 gives me most of my Quantum sounds on a DC track but you do have to have to sound decoder for this to even work. 

Not wanting to stray too far from Bachmann, you can read more at http://www.walthers.com and search for part number 920-5990

luck-
Okie Rick

Quote from: CNE Runner on February 08, 2009, 10:24:14 AM
Additionally, I "neuter" all my rolling stock by snipping off the trip pins. Why?..because I use a bamboo skewer to uncouple cars. EZmate couplers seem to work the best in that application.

Ray

Good day Ray,

Is the skewer the only way you uncouple your cars?  I ask because I've been experimenting trying to find the best or most satisfactory way to uncouple my cars.  I'm trying delay and immediate between track magnets and electromagnets both above and below track.  I'm unable to uncouple the cars "manually with my fingers" and find the magnets, particularly the electromagnets, placed where I need them my best option.

Okie Rick

Many thanks folks - I suspected it was easier replaced than fixed.  It came with a dummy - I'll find a place in the train yard...maybe the hobos will enjoy staying in / around it.  Walthers has a high nose for sale this month - I'll grab it.

Rick

I have a cheap favorite older GP38 locomotive that the motor & drive wheels have stripped out.  Are these motors & trucks available?






Thanks-
Rick

Greetz.  OkieRick Here...my frst time here.

First things first.  I'm 56 and have been a quad for 33 ears - paralyzed from the arm pit area down.  I keyboard with a mouthstick.  Heck - I do everything with a mouthstick of some sort.  I'm blessed with some good friends that are willng to help me in their spare time.

I've recently purchased a Bachmann Spectrum 2-10-2 Light and a 2-10-0 Russian Decapod.  The 2-10-2 is equipped w DCC.  I'd like to add sound to both of them if possible.  I'm back in HO RR'ing after an absence of about 40 years. My first setup was a Tyco Santa Fe loco, motley asst of cars and about a mile of brass track.  I still own the loco but it is shelved.  Lots 'o stuff has changed.

I have another 2-10-2, a Proto 2000 with Quantum sound and DCC.  I haven't yet gone to DCC - I'm re-learning wiring and constantly re-building my layout.

About sound in the Bachmanns...Is there a place to start, a PDF, a file or site to help me get through installing sound in the 2-10-2?  Is Soundtraxx the best / easiest / ?  What about sound on the DC only 2-10-0 Russian?

Thanks for reading & if you can help I'd appreciate it.

OkieRick