When I read any CV on the service track I get a value of 255.   I have programmed different values in various CVs and can see the expected effect in engine performance so I believe the CV values are changing.  Does anyone have experience with this CV read problem.  I have a ProBox wired correctly.  Thanks.

I have 2 Bachmann #6 turnouts that short whenever an engine touches them when set to straight, engines pass over the frog just fine when diverging but the frog polarity shorts when in straight through position.  The polarity of the track from all directions to the turnout is consistent.  I don't run a lot of small engines so I never used the powered frog connection under the turnout.  I have checked the gaps between the rails leading to the turnout and they are isolated.  So there must be something in the frog/decoder that would change polarity when changing directions.  I have 3 crossovers that work perfectly.  Any ideas?

I added the motorized DCC turntable to my layout.  I have noticed that some of the connecting tracks end up at a different height when the turntable aligns with it.  The turn table track is noticeably lower and most engines get hung up trying to make the "step" up to exit the turntable.  Is there any adjustment that can be made.  I think this is one for Mr. Bach Man.   Thanks

I would like to have a second approach to my DCC turntable but this creates a short when the turntable aligns with the 2nd powered track.  I have isolated the approaching  track and would under the old rules create a separate wired power block with a polarity switch.  I was shopping around the DCC sites and saw an auto reversing circuit used in reversing loops.  As soon as an engine with opposing polarity crosses over on to the isolated section, the module instantly reverse the block polarity and the engine moves seamlessly through the power block.  Have I got this right or am I missing something.  In the DCC world wouldn't this be the solution? 

Until recently I have been able to run 3 or 4 locomotives at the same time without issue.  I have about 100 feet of Bachmann NS ez-track.   I have added a Bachmann AMTRAK loco and 3 of the lighted coaches.  It runs for a short while and stops.  It did not short out, the Dynamis just went into stop mode.  Releasing the stop mode and the train resumes running for a short time again.  The loco and two lighted coaches will run uninterrupted, but adding a 3rd shuts down the system again.  I have cycled each coach alone or in pairs and I have no issues.  Adding the third and it stops after a short distance.  I am running the Dynamis system with a Pro-Box.  There are only two feeds to the entire layout, one to the insulated service track and another to EVERYTHIING else that is connected at a single terminal track. I have tested the coaches with all other engines and lighted cars removed and get the same result.  These Bachmann coaches are beautifully detailed and the interior details and lighting make them an impressive train.  These 3 lighted AMTRAK coaches put my system in stop mode.  Can these 3 coaches draw that much juice and do I need bus wiring or a booster (expensive) or both.   Any thoughts?   Thanks

I recently added 3 Bachmann lighted AMTRAK passenger cars to my RR.  Is there a way to turn off the lights when the cars are idle?  I have a 3 car train and I also noticed some operating anomalies, haven't tested other possibilities, but the power has been cutting out and the signal from the transmitter is erratic.  Any thoughts?  I am running a Dynamis system with ProBox.  Mr. Bach-Man any suggestions?   Again kudos to your company on the quality and features on these cars.

Is there a way to turn off the rear facing light on the aux tender?

Thanks, RD

New out of the box engine stops dead at low speeds when the tender reaches any turnout.  At higher speeds the momentum is carrying it across the frog. I have 10 other DCC steam and diesel engines and none of them do this.  Before I send it back to The Favorite Spot for replacement I am hoping someone here or The Bach-Man can help.  I have a fair bit of experience with engine wiring and DCC and I have checked the external connections on the tender and it all looks correct.

Has anyone had this experience and is there an easy adjustment I could make.

Thanks.  RD

its still MIA but listed in products.  Pining here.

Last I heard the paint was bad and a rerun was due for release in spring 2012.

other than size?

Bachmann EZ Command Decoder 1 Amp 9.5mm X 5mm with 8 Pin NMRA Plug 44926

Bachmann EZ Command Decoder 1 Amp with NMRA 8 Pin Plug 44915

Is there anyone that has experience or information about using the "sold separately" Bachmann tenders as a part of a DCC conversion.  The tenders come in varied styles and have an 8 pin NMRA plug so the decoder installation is practically "plug & play".  The tricky part will be to route the engine wiring to the connector at the front of the tender.

Thanks for any information you can send my way.

richd

When I attempt to read a CV (using my service track) I always get the same response "255" which is the max entry. I know I have programmed in another value and that it has taken the desired effect on the engines performance.  So... I expect to be able to read back the value I entered but I still get "255".  Any thoughts?

Dear Mr Bach-Man

Any word on the release date for the Boston and Maine RS-3?

Thanks,

RD

I wired a Bachmann 1 Amp decoder into an Athearn F7 (Vintage Blue Box) and found that the decoder reaches temps that are way too hot to allow to remain in this configuration.   A bit of research finds that the old Athearn may draw more than 1 Amp and the decoder is rated only 1 Amp.  Am I right in assuming then that this decoder is not suitable to interface with the older Athearn engine?  I am thinking that swapping the shells for a Bachmann DCC on board would be less work!

Any suggestion to guidance is appreciated.

RD

I noticed all the other road names are available.

Thanks,

RD

Does anyone know why this extra circuit card is provided?  Thanks

I bought an FT-B loco at a super price that would complete my SF Super Chief prototype.  Missed the fact that it was a DC version and teaming that with my DCC FT-A was not going to work.  I also have a decoder I got a while back... so 1+1= a challenge.  My first DCC conversion.

Step 1:  Open up the FT-B and see what the connections look like.  The loco shell came off easy.

Step 2:  Observed the black (-) wires, one coming from each truck, soldered to the top of the motor.  Clearly the appropriate decoder wires will come between that connection.  Easy enough.  The schematic shows the (+) connections down by the trucks, so the trucks needed to be separated from the chassis.  Done.  The drive shafts dropped away easily and I hope getting them back in someday will be as easy.

Step 3:  No (+) wires... Ahh the (+) in the schematic are really spring clips connecting the power pick up to the metal chassis.  The metal chassis is the heavy metal block that occupies 90% of the body cavity and gives heft to the model.  I have read enough to know that in some conversions when the chassis is part of the connection it has to be isolated,  Hmmmm how will I wire the decoder to this?  Clearly the spring clips have to go and a new lead from both trucks needs to be wired to insert the decoder into this portion of the circuit.  Quickly approaching the limit of my knowledge.

Knowledgeable people can pitch in at any time....

Just read that an economical way to boost the power to your DCC system is to use something many people may already have...

The ac/dc converter from an old laptop.  I have 2!!  The web site said that the output of 18 volts and 4.5 amps was ideal to power an expanding DCC layout.   Does anyone have experience with this? The site is very reliable.   

Any one know where the 10 ft (red wire) extension is used?  It says Terminal. 

What are the possible reasons that turnouts do not respond to the Dynamis controller after they have been programmed.

After some testing of the turnouts, and flipping the terminal track connector plug with no immediate response, suddenly one switch repeatedly responded, then all of them did for the remainder of that operating session.  Powered everything off and came back next day to no response again for a couple of minutes, then all the switches came alive again and worked perfectly again.  So it seems that there is an initial delay before the turnouts get the signal.  I wonder if my track layout (switching yard) has anything to do with it.  The six turnouts lead to 8 end of track sidings.  I have read up on DCC, an address is an address so this should not matter as long as the tracks are powered.  I wonder if the terminal plug track ( at the back of one of the sidings) is too remote?  Would an additional terminal plug in another location make the signal more uniform across the layout?  The locos all respond quickly anywhere on the layout so I know the power is getting to all track sections.  Thanks for taking the time to read this.  RD