Just hooking up an e-z command dcc control (my first venture into dcc). Programming seems simple and I've already gotten two dcc switches working. My only dcc engine right now is a Spectrum GE 44 ton switcher that I got new for Christmas. I've programmed it for various numbers on the control but on each one it makes a sound like it's geting power but never moves. I've verified that there is indeed a decoder inside :) In theory it should just work. Ideas anyone? Maybe something simple I'm missing? Thanks for help.
Hello, sometimes I put an engine on the track and I get similar results for whatever reason, especially with an engine I haven't ran in a while. Even while I keep a list of what address the engine was programmen the last time I ran it. When I do a factory reset however they work. CV 8 to 008 resets it. With EZ command put the loco on the track, hold down button 3 and the Stop button the same time for about 2 seconds and release both buttons, the red led should flash. Press button 3 and you should be good to go! You should see the engine move a tiny bit, that tells you the decoder is reset to default 3 and should run. Hope I helped some. Jim
Thanks for taking time to reply, Jim. It didn't solve my problem but I'm happy to know how to do the reset. I didn't see that procedure in the documentation that came with the control.
After doing a fair amount of online research and trying everything a novice such as myself can do I have concluded that I purchased a (new) defective switcher loco. As Dr. McCoy said to Captain Kirk, "It's dead, Jim". Guess I'll learn how to make a warranty return to Bachmann. :'(
Fill out the warranty card include the original sales receipt and mail it to:
Bachmann Customer Service
1400 East Erie Ave.
Philadelphia,Pa.19124
It may take a few weeks depending on their workload, just be patient and it will come back.
Also if there is a train club in your area they may check it out for you, or a local friendly hobby shop may test it for you if they have a test track. Just a thought.
Jerry
I'm glad you found it, been thinking about it but I didn't do a search, just trying to figure when the last time I had such a problem. Yes Bachmann is good to their customers and I'm sure you'll be up and running shortly. Good Luck, Jim
Thanks Jerry. I'll get right on it. I appreciate everyone's help.
have you tried programming the loco on a separate track . such as the terminal railer with a 9" straight on each end by itself , separate from your main track layout . your dcc turnouts cannot be the same address as your locomotive . take your terminal railer with plug and put a straight on each end of it . and reprogram to default . and see if the loco moves . I had this problem once . when you get it addressed it will move back and forth . then increase throttle and see it it moves .
Have you tried DC voltage, at least a 9 volt battery to see if the decoder works that way? Try this on a short piece of track. Make sure the loco cannot hit the floor.
Rich
mf5117 - Thanks for the idea, although it didn't make a difference (still makes a motor noise like it wants to run but doesn't) I've done a lot of diagnostic work in my life but I'm new to troubleshooting MRR problems. It helps to have lots of things in your bag of tricks.
Rich - it runs just fine when I disconnect DCC and hook up my old DC control so I guess I've at least determined that the motor is still good. Thanks for that. I'm still planning to try the switcher on someone elses DCC layout when possible but that make take awhile. I'm really not in a hurry to ship it off to Bachmann until I know for sure that something is broken or defective.
I was not clear. Did you try the loco with decoder on DC?
The decoders are dual mode and can also run on DC.
That might tell you if the decoder is ok. If it does the same as with a DCC controller, then you have a defective decoder.
Go read the EZ Command manual in this site. Many seem to miss that.
Rich
The loco runs fine in DC mode (10) on the e-z command control. Just can't get it to run on any other number as DCC. I've been reading old posts and documentation on this site and have tried a couple of different ways to assign numbered outputs to the loco but to no avail.
from what you've said so far it sounds like the loco doesn't have a decoder. it makes noise on dcc, just like a dc loco would. it doesn't respond to any address you try to assign it, but it will respond to the analogue address.
some circuit boards look like decoders.
Was the loco described as DCC Ready or DCC On Board?
Quote from: skooksteve on February 29, 2012, 10:48:11 PM
The loco runs fine in DC mode (10) on the e-z command control. Just can't get it to run on any other number as DCC. I've been reading old posts and documentation on this site and have tried a couple of different ways to assign numbered outputs to the loco but to no avail.
You should have said that in your first post.
Below is the PC board in a 44 ton DCC READY. The PC board is NOT a decoder.
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/richg1998/spectrum%2044%20ton/Spectrum44tonlightboardA.jpg)
From a private source, maybe a shrink wrapped decoder connected to the spot that says, Remove two clips.
Below is the PC board from a 70 ton DCC ON BOARD. Notice he difference. The PC board would most probably be the same one since the locos are about the same size. If not quite identical, it will have many of the same components. This PC board is a decoder.
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/richg1998/Spectrum%2070%20Ton/Spectrum70tondecoder.jpg)
Rich
Flip the loco over and remove two screws in the oil tank. They are Phillips head screws.. Pull the shell.
Rich
I was sold this unit as "DCC onboard". And I do know the difference between "onboard" and "ready" from reading past posts on this message board. I was very careful to make that distinction when shopping online. That said, I appreciate the pictures because I wouldn't know looking at the pcb just what I had in front of me logic-wise. My board looks mostly like pic 1 but has some characteristics of pic 2.
I have been trying to upload a picture but keep getting an error message no matter how many times I resize the pic to meet website requirements. I'll try putting it in a separate post.
I apologize for not being more detailed in my initial posting. I thought it was a more simple thing at the time. Sometimes us newbies don't know what we don't know. However, the steepest part of the learning curve can be most rewarding. Regards to all who have taken the time and had patience with me.
I can't get a picture uploaded. I keep getting this message "The upload folder is full. Please try a smaller file and/or contact an administrator. "
I've resized my jpg file to well below the 128 KB max. Mr. Administrator...help!
The standard procedure is to get a Photo Bucket account and up load the photo there.
Then attach the photo to your post in whatever forum you belong to.
There are four File possibilities to use.
In Photo Bucket, select the IMG File, slet the File, copy the file, paste the File into your forum message.
You do this with two browser windows on you display.
http://photobucket.com/
That is how I and others here post photos.
If I read your message correctly, you do have the on board option.
When you say same characteristics, I figure it must have those little black Integrated Circuits with multiple leads.
Rich
If you did the decoder reeet and still does not move, I would figure a defective decoder.
Do the front and rear lights work on DCC?
Rich
how do i program my gp40 that i got in the diesel digital command set? ???
Quote from: sparkx on March 01, 2012, 07:00:56 PM
how do i program my gp40 that i got in the diesel digital command set? ???
You are hijacking threads. It is better to start your own thread like I already suggested. You only have to ask once with the proper subject line.
I would suggest starting a new thread. Look at the documents for the EZ Command right in the Bachmann site.
With the proper subject line, it would make it easier to track and for others to see the subject line if they have the same question.
Rich
OK, I'm trying the Photobucket thing. Best I could do was to get the link here.
http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/skooksteve/GE44ton.jpg
The board in your photo appears to be a lighting board, not a decoder. I base this on seeing no active components such as integrated circuits on the board. What I do see is a bunch of resistors and diodes which are characteristic of lighting boards. The two large items that look like 1/2 watt resistors are most likely choke coils (inductors.) You can confirm this by seeing if the board is marked L1, L2 etc. where they are mounted. If they are electrically in series with the motor, this would also be confirmation. The capacitors are surface mount ones right below the coils in your photo. Above the coils are two clips. These are the same as the two clips in Rich's first photo. They are designed to be removed and the wires from a decoder soldered into the holes in their place. I expect that the numbers correspond to the pin numbers on a decoder with 8 pin plug. If you decide to install a decoder, just ask and one of us can give you a list relating pin numbers to standard wire colours.
I understand you bought this locomotive in good faith believing that it had a decoder on board. Looking at your photograph of the board, I could believe that the seller sold it in good faith believing that the board was a decoder. I suggest you contact the seller, refer him to this thread, and then try to come up with some reasonable agreement.
Jim
Thanks Jim. That cleared up a lot for me. I appreciate having access to your electronic knowledge. If I can't settle with the seller I may have another learning experience in store attaching a decoder.
I had purchased a GP50 DCC and when I got it the engine did the same thing. I sent it back with the box that said DCC onboard and Bachmann had no problem swapping it out. Before I would install A decoder in it I would send it back.
Jerry
Thanks, Jerry. I think that may be the best thing to try. I'm not having much luck contacting the seller. I think he probably sold it in good faith and I doubt he would have replacement inventory as he mostly specializes in N and Z scale. This was a unique situation where I did not test the loco (with DCC) for nearly 3 months after purchase because I didn't yet have a DCC control. That won't happen again.
I have to say though, after this little learning adventure I may just pay that little extra and support my local model train shops. It's about two to three hours round trip depending on which one but it's a pretty drive and I get to talk face to face with train nuts ;D
I just wanted to say that I am glad you got the problem solved.....Also, the help on this was knowledgeable, friendly and most interesting....It's super not to be treated as an idiot when asking a question......Kudos to all that helped this person...... ;)
I just wanted to give an update on how this turned out. The box (see picture) that my loco came in had an item number indicating it was a DCC ready model (item # 80035). I had ordered item # 62201 which is the DCC onboard model. This was a seller error (which I don't believe was intentional after corresponding with him). Therefore I couldn't send the unit to Bachmann as having been mislabeled and the seller didn't have the right replacement unit so we agreed on a partial credit back. Since then I purchased a decoder, soldered it in and all functions of the switcher are working great and the E-Z command control is doing everything it's supposed to. In the end I still got a good deal on the total package and learned quite a few things in the process (not to mention brushing up on my electronic soldering skills).
Following is a link to a site I used for a reference to what colored wires to connect to which contact points on the circuit board. It includes pictures.
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/2010/08/bachmann-ge-44-ton-decoder-installation.html (http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/2010/08/bachmann-ge-44-ton-decoder-installation.html)
Here are my pics:
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/skooksteve/ge44ton-1.jpg)
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/skooksteve/spectrumboxlabel.jpg)