Hello,

All the Bachmann locos are pretty well matched.

I have a couple of locos from other manufacturers that would benefit from having CV-5 & CV-6 to speed match. For those I guess I will have to install other decoders.

Any recommendations on inexpensive two function decoders that support these CV functions?

Thank you again.

Hello and welcome!

I have a fairly complex 4x8 pike. I had been running traditional DC and found it too cumbersome.

My first foray into DCC was with the E-Z Command system. A great starter set but I soon needed greater programming capabilities than the E-Z Command system offered.

I upgraded to the Dynamis system (which is what I should have done in the first place) and have had no regrets. I also added the 5-Amp power booster so I can run multiple locomotives simultaneously.

The communication between the handset and the receiver is line of sight. Because of the small size of my pike I mounted the receiver above the layout and have had no signal problems.

The only drawback I have encountered is the ability to Read the decoder functions. For some this is a non-issue.

Rather than buying the Pro Box, which would add read function, I purchased a Broadway Limited, stand alone, decoder programmer. This handy little gem reads and programs both installed decoders and 8- or 9-pin equipped decoders with the ability to connect this device to a separate programming track, all for less than $75.00.

I kept the turnouts DC and powered from a separate transformer using a Capacitor Discharge Unit, even though the Dynamis system will support DCC controlled turnouts.

Because the handset it battery powered I also purchased two sets of rechargeable batteries so I always have a fresh set when the batteries are low.

Users of other DCC systems have had some pretty disparaging comments about the Dynamis system but for me it is a perfect fit for my situation.

Hope this helps.

Hello All,
I've installed E-Z Command Two Function decoders in my DC locomotives (#44916's) both hard wired and 8-pin compatible.
In the December 2014 (current) issue of the NMRA magazine there is an article about speed matching for consisting.
In the article they talk about V-Max (CV-5) and V-Mid (CV-6) and how some decoders do not support these functions because they are not required features in NMRA compliant decoders, and are optional.
Any suggestions on how to speed match with decoders that don't seem to support CV-5 or CV-6? (Other than using different decoders.)
They do support Acceleration Momentum (CV-3) and Deceleration Momentum (CV-4) along with Starting Voltage (CV-2).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hello All,
I'm installing a DCC decoder into my newly purchased GP-30 (62309).
On the parts pages I see decoders for new and old models, along with a DCC ready and a traditional PCB. 
Which decoder is correct?
I'm assuming it's the "PCB - DCC (new)."
Thank you for your time and effort.
Jim

Thank you for the clarification. Basically the same decoders.
I was hoping that one of them had a "secret" function like flight or a proximity stop function (anti-crash).
Thank you again.

Hello All,
Can anyone tell me the difference between the Bachmann #44915 versus the #44913 decoder?
They both have wiring harnesses as opposed to the 8-pin plug found on other decoders. They also both came in three packs labeled #44914.
Looking at the instruction sheets that came with them they seem identical.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Hello,
I'm converting my DCC USRA 0-4-0 with a Vanderbuilt tender to have pickups on the wheels of the tender to improve continuity at slow speeds over the insulated frogs.
To do this, rather than having a plug in the tender going to the decoder I'm going to hard wire the decoder to the pickups I'm installing on the tender.
Currently there is a "J" bar that connects the tender to the loco.
I'm going to convert the "J" bar to a draw bar. I am hoping that I can order one rather than having to fabricate one.
Looks like I'll have to fabricate one. The distance that I need to span is about 1-inch to maintain the current spacing of the loco and tender.
Thank you for your thoughts.

Hello,
Sorry if I didn't make my question clear.
I'm not talking about 24/7 or overnight. I'm not even talking about when I leave the pike unattended. I'm talking about, well...like right now, I'm replying to this while the receiver is powered up and the handset is turned off to conserve battery power.
Should the receiver be unplugged too?
You don't power down your computer every time you answer the phone.
Thank you for your thoughts.

Hello All,
Does anyone know the eye to eye measurements of the following draw bars:

• HO GS4/64 4-8-4
• HO 4-4-0 American

Hello All,
When I am not using my Dynamis system is there any harm in leaving the receiver powered up with both LEDs flashing?

Way too many variables to recommend definitive motive power on 18-inch radius trackage.
-Diesel or Steam?
-If steam size of tender; switcher, short or long haul?
-Era modeling or theme?
-Are you consisting (MU)?
-Maximum, or desired, number of rolling stock pulling (tractive effort)?
-Flat or mountain pike (grade percentage)?
Once you figure out your needs then you can choose the appropriate motive power.
I completely agree that a DD40AX or a H4 2-6-6-2 might work on a 22-inch radius curve, but it will look out of place. A consist of GP-38s or 40s might serve you better. If steam consider a 2-6-0, a USRA 0-6-0 or a Climax or Shay- -if your budget permits.
For switching duties consider a 110- 70- or 44-ton diesels or a 0-6-0 or 0-4-0(T) steam.
For short overland hops how about an RS-11 or RS-3, if appropriate for your concept.
And do not rule out the venerable F-series diesels, with accompanying B-units.
Hope this helps.

Hello All,
As the late great John Allen said, "A locomotive without a front coupler is not a locomotive."
Does Bachmann offer a kit to fit a front coupler to a USRA 0-6-0?
Thank you all for your input.

Hello Hunt,
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
To clarify, the motor function outputs on the decoder will power the motor that drives the plow blade. There is no motor that drives the unit , in essence it's a dummy. The address will control the plow blade. I'm planning on MU-ing it with the pusher loco; an F7B.
According to the Athearn folks the motor draw will not exceed the capacity of the decoder.
The lighting will come off the function outputs. I realize that if I go with LED's, and the decoder is not "LED Ready" I will need to add resistors.
Again, thanks for the comments, always appreciated.

Hello Hunt,
Well, you asked...So here goes...
Here's the project:
I bought a rotary snowplow from the fine folks at Athearn. It is a DC powered (analog)- -functioning rotary plow, with a dummy EMD F7B "Power" unit- -talk about an oxymoron!
I figured I'd just do a body swap for a Blue Box frame and motor for the OEM dummy on my analog pike- -and life would be great.
Well as the phrase goes, "the best laid plans of..."
I was able to power the the F7B "Power" unit with a Blue Box analog unit and the body swap.
Then, as the fickle finger of fate intervened, I upgraded to a digital (DCC) system- -the Bachmann E-Z Command system, with the 5-amp power booster, soon to be the Dynamis DCC system. This will give me access to the higher CV functions that I seek.
I contacted the great folks at Athearn and they said that the snowplow consist was never meant to be run on a digital pike- -let alone powering the "Power" unit.
They have offer advice and support on this conversion project. I'm still updating them on what I'm doing; including all posts like this. I'm also preparing a article for the NMRA magazine on this project.
I've figured out how to convert the Blue Box F7B analog (D/C) unit to digital (DCC).
The scheme is to convert the snowplow from analog to digital and also include forward facing LED lighting with a reward facing red strobe or flashing unit for a prototypical operation in limited visibility scenarios.
My quest:
I'm looking for a decoder (no matter the manufacturer) that will provide the strobe or flashing function to power the trailing LED, or provide power to a flashing LED unit from the decoder lighting function.
Because it's a relatively simple installation I am only seeking advice on two (2) function decoders that have this option. If I need to upgrade to a four (4) function decoder, so be it.
Again, thank you all for your comments.