HO FT-A w/ DCC onboard

[BoevilleandNewtown]

All,

Looking for some help here as it would seem I've missed something. I was told that the FT-A w/ DCC on-board was backwards compatible w/ a DC layout. The issue I have is the locomotive seems to "stutter" on my DC layout. I have no plans in the near future of doing DCC. I like the locomotive (its painted for the Seaboard) and the price was right.

Any help and insight is GREATLY appreciated!!!

[ACY]

Your loco is better suited for DCC, and will run better on DCC than DC because it has a decoder. The loco has a dual mode decoder, it allows for DC running, but it requires more power to get going than a DC loco due to the extra draw from the decoder.

[richd286]

Check with the Bachmann.  I have a number of Bachmann deisel locos and they run well in either mode. 

[BoevilleandNewtown]

It now appears the locomotive has stopped running period.

No odd smells, but it won't run.

[ACY]

You may have burned out the motor or otherwise damaged it, but it is not necessarily your fault. Or a wire may be loose, so check all the connections.

[BoevilleandNewtown]

OK.

Found the grey wire going to the motor was loose at the board. While it was loose, I tested the motor. It ran. Re-soldered the grey wire to the board. Motor stopped running.

I believe the issue might be the board itself.

Since I'm not DCC, would there be harm in wiring the motor to the wheels bypassing the board?

[bobwrgt]

There should be no problem if you wire the motor direct to the truck pick-up.

Bob

[BoevilleandNewtown]

I found the issue. It appears as though one of the front trucks gear shaft either shifted or is a bit long and caused a short on the pickups.

It does appear that the board my be toast. I bypassed it and the loco runs like a champ!!!