Quote from: r.cprmier on March 09, 2007, 06:20:02 AM
BTW, would those two yellow caps on the board have anything to do with   that hum?

The Bachmann decoder operates at a frequency heard by people with normal hearing as a hum.

The capacitors have nothing to do with the frequency hum. Capacitors across the motor circuit are part of the motor electrical noise suppression so it does not interfere with other electronic devices.

Some decoders have an internal capacitor to do the suppression and the decoder is tuned to work with them.  When external capacitors are added they cause de tuning, which results in poor motor speed control.

I agree with Glenn W.

Also, someone can repeat the same 15 minutes of actual model train experience for many years… but they still only have 15 minutes of modeling experience. Accordingly it is the content in the pages, not the number of pages that is germane. 

Hi Rich,
This situation may call to your mind my suggestion from years ago… Break-in and clear-up any issues before a decoder is installed. 

The bulbs (technically lamp) are most likely 1.5 V and...  yes, you do need to replace with 12V per the instructions when using DCC or you will need to add resistor(s) to the light circuit.

You will get a better MARS light effect with a lamp than with a LED. There are special effects modules which can use LED for MARS light.

For info about BLI stock cars click http://www.broadway-limited.com/products/k7stockcar.htm

The cars are in Broadway’s entry line.
Hog is the better sound of the choices.

(Thanks Mike for the heads-up on my typo)

Quote from: Yarm35 on March 06, 2007, 02:44:00 PM
2.   Where can I find how many sections of HO EZ track it takes to complete a curve for various radii?

The HO E-Z Track curve radius
15" -- 12 pieces make a circle
18" -- 12
22" -- 16
26" -- 20
28" -- 20
33.25" -- 20
35.5" -- 20

(Since trains are steered by track they do not have a turn radius. Appropriate term is curve radius.)

Quote from: MonroeLaw on March 06, 2007, 08:36:52 PM
What's the story with the auto-reversing track for point to point operation? 
Jerry Gaynor

The Bachmann Electronic Auto-Reversing Nickel Silver E-Z Track is used to expand the HO and On30 scale Trolley and Street Car sets.

The reversing electronics are in the car barn and it is not sold separately.

Colorado and others,
More info about Hybrid drive using DCC technology--
Click http://www.tttrains.com/dcc/hybriddrive/

The E-Z Command Control Center, in Function mode, will turn on/off the sound assigned to Function F1 thru F8.  F10 will turn on/off the headlight. You can not program any of the CVs controlling the sounds.

E-Z Command Control Center does not support any decoder's F9 function.

An aside to this thread and on the soap box.

I have a different point of view than some. It does not matter to me which control system one uses...   DC, battery with R/C,  DCC or a combination. Yes, there is a command control system available using wireless throttle, battery on board power and DCC powered by battery needing track only to steer where the train goes. However I, as I believe some contributors to this board, would desire a decision about the control system one uses be made on facts and not misinformation or misperceptions.

I never have recommended someone change control systems if you have a control system that does what you want.  In fact, I rarely recommend a control system to anyone. I suggest and encourage one make a decision what they want now and in the foreseeable future and do their own research and compare. BUT --- Always place a recommendation based only on I have in proper perspective.

An involved model railroader, of any scale, can make decisions about what they want and are willing to pay for their railroads; but, only when relevant product information is readily available. Relevant information is the hurdle and it can be a high one at times.

Back to the original subject -- Stan Ames was RIGHT

I read Jim is confirming, based on his testing, Stan Ames is right about the assertion a DCC signal can be received by a decoder capable of utilizing capacitance pickup without direct contact with the rails so long as the decoder is powered. His post is follow up to a discussion on the old board about DCC Hybrid drive.

The everyday practical use of the DCC Hybrid drive technology by a large scale modeler with an outside layout will be determined by comparison to other available choices.

Quote from: Tony Walsham on March 04, 2007, 04:53:24 PM
Hunt, you are quite correct.
I wrote that incorrectly.
What I should have said was "promoted by" the "silent" partner to a wife who is the Lenz importer.

For those who do not know, Tony is referring to Stan Ames.

Quote from: Tony Walsham on March 04, 2007, 05:01:47 PM
Define close.

Use the time frame with which you are comfortable. 

You can use a Bachmann Item #44212 power pack with the E-Z Command Control Center but not your MRC.

Quote from: Tony Walsham on March 04, 2007, 04:03:05 AM
I think wiser heads will wait and see how the idea measures up under controlled conditions with testing done by truly independent users, and not the "silent" partner to a wife who is the Lenz importer. 

Tony seeing this is Jim Banner's Topic some could be misled with your statement I quoted.

Does not Jim Banner qualify to you as a truly independent user? If not, why not?