I own a Bachmann DDC transformer and I am very disappointed with it. I use it at Christmas and have owned it for going on three years. I have NEVER been able to switch a "DDC inside engine" from the #3 factory setting to any other number. A factory representative at one of the train store shows told me to use the "Function key," but it still does not work. I don't know what to do. Can someone give me step by step instructions?
Which DCC controller do you have?
It is E-Z Command Control Unit, Item # 44901.
I might also add that I have a Bachmann HO GG1, Pennsylvania RR engine. It makes the engine sounds with my analog controller, but it does nothing but run around the track with the DDC unit. The lights don't even work. As you can see, I am not a happy camper with this unit. It's supposed to do more, but in reality it does FAR less.
Do any of these units well, or do you really need to buy something that is much more expensive?
First of all it's DCC not DDC. Don't know where you came up with that.
Watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAin_nEMHlY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAin_nEMHlY)
Okay, wrong nomenclature. DCC. I still would like to have an answer. Is there a higher level unit that provides sounds and the ability to switch for setting #3?
I can't get this one to do any of those things.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q320/BillJones_album/Transformer_zps88a5b1a2.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAin_nEMHlY&list=UUqXkvBbF7Lemenlxn7Ca-OA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj-03Lrh3EU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pWy-LySuik&list=UUqXkvBbF7Lemenlxn7Ca-OA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xb9w9on05g&list=UUqXkvBbF7Lemenlxn7Ca-OA
To change an address you simply push down the locos address (number 3) and hold it down then push the stop button. The red light will flash. Push the number you wish to change it to (the loco will lurch forwards slightly) then press the stop button again to restart the system. This is illustrated in the video listed above. If it doesn't work you may have a problem with the controller - contact the service department.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/service.php
Quote from: Bill1462 on November 29, 2014, 05:05:54 PM
Okay, wrong nomenclature. DCC. I still would like to have an answer. Is there a higher level unit that provides sounds and the ability to switch for setting #3?
I can't get this one to do any of those things.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q320/BillJones_album/Transformer_zps88a5b1a2.jpg)
Did you watch the videos?
I use the same controller. Everything is explained in the videos provided above by Yardman or by the CD that should have come with the controller. They are one in the same. Sounds and such are provided by the type of locomotive you've purchased. I have three DCC sound locomotives. The rest are mostly just DCC locos without sound installed. Once a sound loco is placed on the track, the sounds will start automatically. Each button on the controller signifies a different sound that the decoder, installed within the locomotive, will activate. Remember that the yellow FUNCTION button needs to be pressed and the light flashing next to the locomotives address #, even if it's #3, for the different sounds to be heard. Click the FUNCTION button again to turn off the flashing light to resume normal control of the locomotive. I understand that there are higher-end controllers (like Digitrax) that will play even more sounds according to the type of sound decoder installed within the locomotive. Of course, with more 'candy' to the controller or locomotive, look for the unit to be higher in price. This controller, its extensions, and DCC E-Z Track layout works great for our budget. The kids love it as do I! I hope that helps a bit...
Thank you for your response.
These A and B units do make a sound when they placed on the track with this controller.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q320/BillJones_album/Trains/AandBUnit_zps927d18a9.jpg)
This GG1 unit makes no sound at all although it does make the running sounds with the analog transformer I have. There was a list with sound function codes included with this unit. None of them work with the DCC transformer.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q320/BillJones_album/Trains/GG1Unit_zps46765315.jpg)
I have had this unit for two years, but never installed on my main layout because wiring issues (there is no on-off switch, I have to run an extension across the room under my layout and you must unplug it to turn it off) and because it is has never worked. Since the warranty has long since passed I guess I'm stuck with it. If I do try the DCC concept again, I think I will look into a better unit.
Okay I got the GG-1 unit switched to position #1, but the engine still moves forward (but not backward) regardless which of the 9 buttons are engaged. How are you supposed to control each engine if they all move forward when the stop button is off?
If you were able to change the loco address from number 3 to number 1 the controller is functioning normally. If you had both engines on the track when you changed the address then you changed them both to address number 1 and they are both responding to commands sent to that address. It would be beneficial to watch the videos to see how to operate the controller. EZ command is the easiest DCC system on the market to operate so buying a more advanced controller might be even more confusing.
To signal the sound functions in the locomotives you must first push the yellow function button - the red light will flash telling you that you are in function mode and the number keys become function keys that will set off the sounds (#1 bell, # 2 horn, # 3 short horn, etc...). You will push the yellow function button again to get out of function mode.
Watch the videos - it will help you to understand how the controller works.
No, I only had one engine, the GG-1, on the track in addition to a few cars, which I presume do not count. That unit still does not make any sound of any type while it is on the track, but I know it works because it makes the sound on my main layout with the standard transformer.
When I bought the A and B unit engines, the clerk at the store advised me to always keep those two on position #3 since they run together.
Call the service department on Monday and ask for Rodney (215) 533-1600. He will be happy to walk you through it. Watching the videos is also still highly recommended.
Thank you! By experimentation I have been able to get most of these features to work.
Good to hear! Give the service department a call if you need us.
Just curious whether your Bachmann GG-1 was purchased new, or from someone who had the engine converted to a sound locomotive? See if you can run the GG-1 under the address of #10 which is associated to DC analog locomotives. Don't program it to #10, just select #10 on the controller and then try the GG-1. Be cautious not to run it for too long, as the DCC controller is not meant to run DC engines as was stated from the Bachmann videos Yardmaster suggested (not Yardman as I posted earlier....sorry Yardmaster). I'm positive there are DC engines that have sounds, but I obviously have yet to try one. Perhaps the only sounds available to you by the decoder installed is the running sound. As for your other locos, I have similar Bachmann A & B units as yours that I had sound decoders placed into both. Each one I had changed their addresses to #9 so that they would run together. To change the address for each, I made sure one locomotive was on the track alone. All others were taken off. Unit A was originally #3, so I made sure the #3 was pressed while the loco was on the track. Once selected, I pressed down the #3 again WHILE pressing the stop button, then released them both. The stop button should now be flashing fast. Choose the new address # you want your loco to be on. The loco moves noticeably to confirm it's changed to the new numbered address you chose. Press the forward direction button (above the speed knob) to choose which way you want it to move initially, and then press the stop button again to exit the format. Now select the new address # and see that it moves your A unit. If all was successful, while on the new address #, stop the loco. Press the other directional button (reverse) and verify if the loco can now move backwards. If all goes well, stop to loco and remove it from the tracks. Do the exact same procedure to Unit B making sure that you choose the same address # as Unit A so that they can run in tandem. I'm thinking part of the problem was that you kept more than one locomotive on the track at one time while trying to reconfigure the new addresses. I could be wrong, but it's a guess as I saw one of your responses say, "No, I only had one engine, the GG-1, on the track..."
If this doesn't work still, please try the support number Yardmaster suggested, or watch the videos carefully. There's a bundle of info in there that taught me a lot about this controller and all its capabilities. Also, can you post the model # of your analog controller? If it's the one I'm thinking of, it can work in conjunction with your #44901 using a black cable that plugs from one controller into the other. That way you gain an extra address (#10) while being able to use the analog controller to continue to run your DC locos. One more thing, is there an ON/OFF slide switch on the back of the #44901? I use that to turn off my controller during the day, but I always unplug it completely every night. Good Luck!
Thank you for your response.
I bought all of those engines new with DCC already installed on them. I did get the GG-1 programed to position #1 and was able to get the engine sound going, but not all of the features. I can get the bell and the horn, but that's it. There is a list of sound features that came on a piece of paper with the unit, but I can't get them all to work. Oddly enough the headlights do not work on any of the DCC engines although they do work on the non DCC pieces.
So far as my DCC transformer goes, there is a label which reads, "Item # 44901" on the bottom. The front reads, "E-Z Command Control Center."
Quote from: Bill1462 on December 01, 2014, 08:27:02 AM
. . . Oddly enough the headlights do not work on any of the DCC engines although they do work on the non DCC pieces. . . .
Bill1462,
Have you turned the lights on?
When the Bachmann E-Z Command Control Center in Function mode, pressing button 10 turns lights on, pressing button 10 again turns lights off the locomotive being controlled.
With your GG1 on track and its address activate, place the Command Control Center in Function mode by pressing the Function button. The LED next to the locomotive address button that is currently active flashes indicating the Command Control Center is in the Function mode. Pressing button 10 turns lights on and off.
Also when lights are turned on, the GG1 decoder lighting effect is factory programmed with directional lighting effect of automatic dim. Thus when the forward direction button is selected the GG1 forward light (headlight) will be on and the reverse light (backup) will automatically be dimmed. When the reverse direction button is selected the reverse light will be on and the forward light will automatically be dimmed.
When the Command Control Center is in Function mode pressing button 10 operates the decoder's Function zero, F0. It does not operate the decoder's Function ten, F10. The Bachmann E-Z Command Control Center supports decoder functions F0 through F8 only.
more ...
The assigned DCC function control for the GG1 the decoder:
F0 - Headlight - Backup light
F1 - Bell
F2 - Horn (long)
F3 - Horn (short)
F4 - Pantograph operation sound
F5 - Blower
F6 - Compressor
F7 - Dimming
F8 - All sounds mute
Remember - In Function mode, the E-Z Command Control Center button 10 operates as Function F0 not F10.
In your second post, you mentioned that you have an ANALOG controller where you CAN hear the engine sound while it's running. Can you find on that controller what the model # is? Not the #44901.
As for the headlight, Hunt explained it well. Just make sure that if you were using the GG-1 at address #1, make sure the #1 is selected, then press the FUNCTION key to make the #1 now flash. Then press the #10. The headlight should now illuminate. Press the #10 again to turn it off, as if testing it. As Hunt says, make sure the FUNCTION key has been pressed first and the locomotive's address # light is flashing for the locomotive's decoder features to be utilized. Note that in the decoder assignments that Hunt listed for you, that #8 does mute the sounds. If all sounds seem off, just check that the sounds are NOT muted. Usually removing the locomotive from the track and then placing it back on correctly resets the decoder, so the initial sounds should start up again and the headlight once again is off.
The analog controller is a TECH MRC 260 "Model Rectifier Corp."
Thanks Bill1462,
At least it's a starting point as to what WAS working for you compared to using the E-Z Command Controller. Unfortunately I have no expertise with this controller. It looks like a standard DC controller, but I like the momentum feature it promotes. I was hoping it was a Bachmann 46605A Analog controller as it can work in conjunction with your E-Z Command Controller. Hope you've had more luck tinkering with the E-Z Command.
Why not install JMRI and use that to program your engines?
It's so much easier than programming and having to remember or look up what each CV does or what CV does what.
With JMRI you want to change the whistle, you just change the whistle and select which one you want. JMRI knows the CV numbers, you don't have to.
Want to change the bell ringing rate, just change the bell ring rate. No need to know what CV that is, JMRI already knows it.
Ditto for chuff rate, all the various sound levels, you just change them through the menus, no need to know a single CV nor what any CV controls.
Cheers
Roger T.
Quote from: rogertra on December 02, 2014, 04:29:45 AM
Why not install JMRI and use that to program your engines?
. . .
None of Bachmann DCC systems (the E-Z Command Control Center or Dynamis) can utilize JMRI Decoder Pro since Bachmann DCC systems do not have a PC interface.