Hello to all members and Mr. Bach-Man!

I wish to all to run more trains this year!

I have some problem with Bachmann Dynamis DCC controller, maybe somebody from the forum had the same experience. Recently I ordered new DCC Dynamis over the e-bay, from the shop in UK.
On the first power ON, left LED started to blink. I couldn't start any of my trains. Instruction says that LED blinks if STOP is engaged or you have short on the track. After some time unit started to work. It worked untill some days after I disconnected the power supply ( it is universal voltage switching PS, 100-240V, original Bachmann) and I experienced the same problem. Just left LED blinking. After some time and many tries unit started to work properly. In this case both LEDs blinking on power ON, when handheld unit is powered On and stop is removed, main station LEDs change- left one is always ON, right one is blinking during the transmission.
After that unit worked excellent for a week ( without disconnecting the power supply from the wall, but disconnecting the power connector from the station unit. I thought probably problem is in power unit ( 15.5V, 2.5A).
Today, problem is back, even if I didn't disconnect the wall PS. Left LED is blinking and I can't control any train. Just to add, measured voltage output from the PS is 15.5V DC on my digital voltmeter.
Any idea?

Thank you in advance for any suggestion!

Best Regards, Zdenko, Toronto

Hello to Mr. Bach-Man and all members!

I have  a collection of  Bachmann Spectrum locos and I think they are very nice products. Specially I take care about products not in production as 50 Ton Climax is ( Ho scale). During my gears check on that, for me, very important loco ( I have two shays and Heisler for logging) I put the engine on my test track, connected to Bachmann EZ- Command. I was lazy to connect DC power pack just for few seconds of gear check. EZ- Command instruction says that you can use address 10 for DC use. I found that DC locos are not too happy to be there. Noise is coming from the motors and lights ( or leds) are always ON. Loco was in perfect condition before I switched power and tried to move the engine. It moved for some short time and died. Just Leds ON! It was too much for tiny motor inside and it burned. In panic, I disassembled  more then enough of a bit complicated mechanism and found that motor is dead.
Bad part is that loco is not in production anymore and I am desperate to find one for my geared Steam collection. If some members have it for sale, please contact me, even if it is with broken gears or something else ( at least motor to be OK :-)
I contacted service department if they can find the motor replacement ( it is very small 10mm x 15mm, shaft 1mm dia).
This is warning for other members to be careful with DC use of EZ Command, I haven't found problems with bigger engines, but small tiny motors can be in danger).
I would ask Mr. Bachmann or other members if they can advice for the motor type ( maybe some motor from current production can be replacement?).

Thank you all and again, if somebody wants to sell new or used 50 Ton Climax loco, please contact me.

Zdenko

Hello to all forum members and Mr. Bach-Man!

Mostly I read the posts, but this time maybe I can help somebody with my experience. I have many Bachman HO steamers, mostly Spectrum. They all work well, my favorite Shay needed new trucks, but replaced with parts ordered from Bachmann.
Recent order of 4-8-4 Niagara and 2-10-0 Decapod ( brand new) showed both engines DOA. Niagara didn't move (DCC and DC tested) and rear light worked! My work ( and hobby) is electronics, then I decided to open the tender and the loco ( avoiding send back to USA and waiting for the new one). Small PCB located inside the loco has two connectors on it. They are used for the connection to the tender. Wires from the PCB go to the motor, wheels pick-up  and the  front light. I expected to see the soldered wires but they were bent thru the holes on the PCB and insulated by some small plastic square caps. I carefully soldered the wires, positioned the insulators back and loco worked like the dream. Also I replaced the yellow LED's, (on tender too) with 3mm white ones, without resistor change ( current is almost the same for both).
Decapod had the common problem- it was short on loco ( DCC ready model). I have read the forum and confirmed that wheel pick-up contacts on the loco ,located on the bottom cover, over the wheels, are problem. Two stripes of elastic contacts are attached to the cover at the ends. Middle part is raised a bit and touches the middle shaft, one with the gear. I placed two stripes of insulation tape over the exposed part. Then you have to carefully put the part back. You can also insulate the contacts end with wires soldered to it.
I found that DCC on board, sound version, has insulation part added, which prevents the short ( from Bachmann Diagrams  part No-H843X-00001).
Also I added a bit of weight for both tenders (4-8-4 and 2-10-0) to prevent cables to lift them up.
Now they work perfect, even on the small track radius.

Regards
Zdenko

Hello!
Recently I bought EZ-Command with 2 Bachmann DCC decoders ( default 28 steps on speed). I have one decoder from Hornby, programmed at 128 speed steps. For EZ, in manual says 28/128 steps. Does it mean that it can run both 28 and 128 steps decoders or I have to change CV on Hornby?
Thank you in advance and Regards to all members!

Zdenko, Toronto