Hello All,
I have three (3) Bachmann HO GP30s: two (2) with factory-installed (OEM- -Original Equipment Manufacturer) DCC-ready Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) with NMRA 8-pin sockets, one (1) with the OEM DCC PCB decoder.
These three (3) units are MUed; originally with Universal consisting.
I am using the Bachmann Dynamis system with the ProBox and 5 Amp booster. I have a stand-alone programming track through my desktop computer running JMRI DecoderPro interfaced with a Digitrax PR3.
Originally I installed Bachmann 2-function (36-552) decoders in the two (2) DCC-ready units with NMRA 8-pin sockets to match the Bachmann OEM PCB decoder.
Because of the limitations of the Bachmann decoders I wasn't able to use  "Rule 17" dimming and Advanced Consisting.
I replaced the two (2) Bachmann decoders with Digitrax DH126P decoders in the units with 8-pin NMRA sockets.
Then I replaced the Bachmann OEM PCB DCC decoder with a "DCC Ready" PCB that I ordered from Bachmann, and added a Digitrax DH126P decoder to the last unit.
After programming all three decoders to their respective addresses- -3001, 3002, 3005, I also changed CVs 49 & 50 to activate "Rule 17" dimming.
Now all three (3) are "stuck" in "Rule 17" dimming.
Using JMRI DecoderPro I confirmed that all the CVs are set to "Normal" function of the lights; FoF & FoR; CV 49 & 50 > Value 0 (zero).
At first, I thought it was a fault with the Digitrax decoders.
I replaced all three (3) decoders with new-out-of-the-package ones- -still no change!
After attempting to reset all three- -CV 8 > Value 008 through the Dynamis DCC system and DecoderPro- -, still nothing.
Unfortunately, Digitrax tech support was of no help. They suggested "resetting" the decoders; CV 8 > Value 008.
I finally replaced the Digitrax decoder with a 2-function Bachmann decoder; which does not support "Rule 17" dimming.
To my surprise, all three (3) locomotives still had "Rule 17" dimming with the OEM Bachmann decoder reset to CV 8 > Value 008.
The problem seems to be with the Bachmann DCC PCB with NMRA 8-pin plugs, both factory-installed and the one I installed to replace the OEM DCC PCB decoder.
Any suggestions as to how to "reset" or "erase" the circuitry in both the OEM PCBs and the replacement board to regain "normal" lighting functions?
Thank you in advance for your time and effort.
J.J.

Hello all,

Here's what I did...And it worked!

I had a spare mini-plug to 1/8-inch cable. I also had a mini-plug to bare wire; that came with my Dynamis system and the screw terminal connector block that came with the Probox.

I cut the 1/8-inch end off of the mini-plug to 1/8-inch cable. I stripped the outer jacket being careful not to nick the insulation on the inner wires or the un-shielded third conductor (bare strands).

Because all the connectors are tip/ring/sleeve I used my multi meter on the continuity setting and determined the conductor
configuration.

As it turns out the red inner wire (tip) is not used. The white wire and the bare copper are the conductors. (There is a diagram on the booster that confirmed this.)

Tip=Not Used
Ring=Positive (red)
Sleeve=Negative (black)

Then I metered between the sleeve receptacle on the Dynamis Command Station and the output pins on both the Command Station and the Pro Box.

Looking at both units the pin on the left side is the white conductor (ring) the pin on the right side is the bare copper (sleeve).

Next, I marked the mini-plug to bare wire conductor with a black permanent marker; sleeve=black, ring=red (no color needed).

Then I used the screw terminal connector block and attached the white (ring) wire to the left terminal and the bare conductor (sleeve) to the right terminal.

I plugged the 1/8-inch connector into the booster from the Pro Box/screw terminal connector block. The booster already had the red output connected to the right rail and the black output to the left rail. (Make sure that both outputs from the Pro Box and the booster connect to the same rail maintaining polarity.)

Then, as per the Pro Box instructions, I used two insulated rail joiners to isolate the programming track. Using color coded (red & black) terminal joiners I attached the mini plug to bare wires to the correct polarity on the programming section (pg. 3 Dymanis Pro Box User Guide).

I then powered up the Dynamis Command Station/Pro Box, then the booster and finally turned on the handset.

Then I ran a know addressed locomotive from the main track to the programming track with no problems.

Next I took another locomotive, placed it on the programming track and read the address correctly.

Now I have the Pro Box AND the 5-Amp booster working in conjunction along with a programming track.

This solution would be a simple "Fix" from Bachmann by supplying OEM produced cables that I cobbled together.

Hope this helps!

Hello All,

I have a GE 70-ton HO scale locomotive; SP #5114.

When running it makes a HORRIBLE grinding noise. I've removed the fuel tank and shell and it runs silently.

I remounted the shell, not tightening the mounting screws too tight and the noise went away.

Then I remounted the fuel tank and the noise came back, albeit not as loud.

My question is: Is there a way to dampen the motor noise that seems to resonate through the fuel tank?

Thank you in advance for your time and effort.  

Hello All,

I'm setting up JMRI Decoder Pro to program my Bachmann decoders. In the list of manufacturers it doesn't list a Bachmann but it does list Lenz as a manufacturer.

Are Bachmann decoders Lenz?

Thank you for your responses.

J.J.

Hello All,

When I'm addressing and programming my locomotives and consists in my Dynamis hand set how does it assign their position in the list?

I've entered address 3501, 3502 & 3503; in that order, but moving sequentially with the toggle, it is listed as 3502, 3501 and then 3503. 

Is there a way to re-order the list so when I toggle through 3501 is first, 3502 is second and 3503 is third?

Thank you for your input.

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

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.

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?

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 All,
Does anyone know what the lighting functions of the Bachmann 44915 decoder are beyond on and off if any?
More specifically does this decoder support flashing or strobe function?
Thank you for your input.
Jim

Hello All,
I realize that the E-Z Companion can be MU'd to the E-Z Controller for two cab control.
My question is:
Is it possible to MU two E-Z Controllers; either through the mini-jack (for lack of a better term) or the I/O Cat IV cable?
Again, thank you for all your thoughts.
J.J.

Hello All,
I have an EMD F7A&B consist from a Bachmann #00689 Royal Gorge analog train set, equipped with #10151 motors.
To keep things simple I'm installing #44914 decoders.
In looking at the motors there are two resistors soldered to the motor.
My question is:
Do I leave the resistors on the motor and solder the motor terminals to them?
The rest of the decoder installation seems pretty straightforward.
Thank you.

Hello All,
I've recently converted my pike from DC to DCC using the EZ Command system.
It is an oval with a stub Wye on one side of the oval inwards. A pretty simple Wye used for turning locos.
Both the turnouts from the main line and the Wye have insulated frogs.
I've used insulated rail joiners on all rails on both legs of the Wye just past the turnouts on the mainline.
The Wye is fed with a MRC AD520 reversing loop module drawing power from the main line, wired per the mfg. specs.
Here's the problem:
When both sets of points are thrown to the Wye when a loco passes over the insulated rail joiners; one set of trucks on the on the mainline, on set of trucks on the Wye, a short occurs.
If I only throw the incoming set of points to the Wye, leaving the other set of points on the mainline, there are no problems. The loco then moves to the Wye, it is thrown in the other direction, the points on the mainline are reversed and away we go.
The position of the points on the Wye don't affect operation. Once the loco is on the Wye the sequence of switching the points on the mainline doesn't matter.
I have even been able to run one loco on the mainline loop while performing this opposed switching operation to turn another loco simultaneously!?!
This means that my switching actions need to be precise and I cannot have both sets of points from the mainline towards the Wye at the same time or the above described short occurs. Yet both sets of points can be switched to the mainline with no problems. The position of the Wye switch has no effect.
I've communicated this to MRC with not much success.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can wire this Wye so that both sets of points off the main line can be thrown simultaneously rather than sequentially?