I finally gave up and purchased a Bachmann EZ Command DCC unit. I hope It is worth the it. Just some info getting now on the versatility of it. How compatible is with other decoders and for multi train application. Am I opening a can of worms here or is this a system that is worth it. Im also going to use sound with it. Is this system compatible with other DCC Units i.e. locos of differant brands or am I stuck with Bachmann brand units. Any info would help out greatly. Thanks
You have just purchased the least versatile system on the market to date. It cannot program any CVs and is limited by a 1 amp capacity. Also note that accessory decoders cannot be programmed or operated by it and most reversing loop controllers have a trip current value higher than the EZ command’s capacity.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but your money could have been spent better with a Zephyr, Powercab or even an MRC Express.
David B
The EZCommand is a very primitive basic low power system but it is adequate for very basic layouts. It’s expandability is VERY limited. It will work with any DCC engine, including sound equiped, but it’s programing is limited to changing the locomotive address from the factory default “3” to any address from “1” to “9” and can run one analog loco on address “10”. It can run more than 1 train at a time, but I wouldn’t. It would be complicated and frustrating.
Use it for a while while you get used to DCC, but there is no doubt in my mind that you will soon want something better. My personal preference is Digitrax. I have the Super Chief, but there are many DCC systems that don’t cost much more than the Bachmann and have far more capability.
Whatever limitations the system has, its chief failing for me is that it won’t allow me to program the CV’s needed to let DCC show what it can do for model railroading. For $40 more, give or take, you can get a much better system.
I’m just getting my feet wet at the moment. I know the are better unit avalable I just start with this one to figure out this system. I’ve run DC for 20+ years and its tried and true. I just was this out to see how much it would help with figuring it out before spending more on a differant unit. Get the basic’s down first and try it.
Tom,
You doing exactly what I did 4 years ago. I picked up a Bachmann E-Z Command for ~50% MSRP, plus two decoders for my two locomotives at the time. So, for ~$100 (including S&H), I had a basic DCC system and a DCC-equipped roster. The thought was to just get my feet wet with DCC, with the mindset that I’d be gravitating to a more sophisticated DCC down the road.
As others have stated, E-Z Command is a limited DCC system. That doesn’t mean it’s junk. It does what it does. And what it does do, it does well.
The E-Z Command has the following:
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A simple interface: ~4 x 6 in size
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1-amp output
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9 DCC address slots/1 DC slot
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Light control (F0)
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8 sound function controls (F1-F8)
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Function button (for accessing the above)
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Emergency stop button
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Direction button
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I/O jack (for adding a 5-amp booster)
What your E-Z Command does NOT have is the capability to program CVs, which will allow you to tweak your locomotives so that they run more smoothly and/or prototypically - especially with the new lighting features available on decoders now.
However, even with only 1-amp, I was able to run up to 3 locomotives at a time. And I didn’t find it cumbersome at all to do that. I could easily access 8 different sound functions by merely pressing the function button then address numbers 1 thru 8. Wiring the E-Z Command up to my 4 x 8 was easy, as well. Two wires and I was good to go.
Tom, I have no regrets for going this route. During the year that I had my E-Z Command, I enjoyed learning and experiencing the freedom of this new technology, as well as researching what DCC system I would be migrating to. I was also able to sell my E-Z Command to another member here on the forum (which he still has and uses) so I recouped some of the cost I originally paid for it. [:)][tup]
So, for essentially a ~$20 investme
For a little bit more money, you could have gotten a real DCC system.
Chuck,
Yes…IF he spent full price for one. RR did get a real DCC system…just a limited one. [:)]
Tom
I bought Toms E-Z command and still love it. But I like simple and it is that. Much like running a DC system and you don’t have to worry about hitting the wrong button and then the engine won’t run? Main reason I stuck with the E-Z is watching guys and my LHS / Train Club. State of the art Super Chief radio control. Seen many stand there pushing buttons, take there engine to programing track, push more buttons, back to the main line and push more buttons? Boy that seemed fun![?]
I could run 3 BLI sound Steam Engines with no lack of power problems, added another 100 feet of track then I had power problems. Bachmann does have a 5 amp booster, I went with a 8 Amp MRC booster.
With my DCC fleet growing and same with my bench, I have two short comings with the E-Z.
1 I now have around 20 DCC engines, but only 9 address I can use. Not a big problem, just need to watch what engines you are running.
2 My bench is pretty good sizes, and I am land locked. Other words if I want to throw a switch, I have to get up and throw it. All my turnouts are hand throws, so radio control or remote throttles seem like the next step.
As far as programing the decoders! After watching the guys at K-10 Model Trains and seeing Simon 1966 (member here) computer decoder interfaces (think it is a Digitrax) I will spend the $90.00 for one.
So as far as I am concern, the E-Z command is a real and yet simple DCC system. If you want more power, added a booster, if you want to program a decoder, get a computer interfaces system for $90.00.
If you want walk around thottles then the E-Z is not for you.
Two years of hard running and only problem with the E-Z
Yes & if it works for Ken…[8D]
There should be no issues here. That is the purpose of standardization. Any brand DCC decoder should work with the unit.
It will have some key sequence to press to allow one to switch between and simultaniously control multiple trains. I do not know if it has add-on throttles to allow each multi-train to have its own controller.
No problem. There might be a few minor sound functions that are not directly accessible, but I’ve found I seldom use anything but the horn, bell, and dynamic brakes. I just let all the motor, brake, pumps, etc. run on automatic.
Not at all. You can get a Walther’s P2K, or Atlas Master Gold, etc. locomotive and they should work fine. In fact, if you investigate the Bachmann units you would find that the decoders used in the locomotives are from different manufacturers.
You’ve already purchased the unit. Just read the manual, learn to use it, and enjoy running the trains!
Hi Trainman For starters you have used every inch of your 4x8 and it looks great!!! As far as the bachmann unit, if it does what you want then it’s perfect. It will run any decoder out there. You have limitations of course which is why they call it a starter system but it’s hardy and reliable. If you run one or 2 engines at a time you’ll be more than happy. If you decide to expand later you can move to a unit that can support more engines. In the mean time if you’re having fun with it, you have a good unit.
Looks to me like you made the right choice. Learn to use it and find out what you like and dislike about it and then, go for a better system
I bought the Bachmann EZ Command 4 years ago to learn on. Three years ago I bought the Bachmann 5 amp booster and I can run 9 DCC loco’s, all my switches are on a control panel and I rather enjoy throwing the switch to operate the track switch’s, I used tortoise machines so I have led’s on my control panel for the switch direction, even the Peco machines I bought the Atlas “snap relay” controllers and have leds for them too. I have trouble keeping track of 3 trains let alone 9. My layout is 17 ft long and 10 feet wide, U shaped, with 4 mainlines and a subway with 2 mainlines under it. I have used the Bachmann system since then, 4 years, and run trains almost every day, I’m retired, and out of 26 DCC loc’s, fried one decoder. I think I’ll keep what I got. Simple to use and trouble free! I read about the guys having problems using the more elaborate DCC systems on this and other forums messing with CV’s. Best thing of all is if I do hit the lottery and upgrade, I can find the help I need on this and other forums though! Glad to be here and running trains!
Here is a link to the Bachmann site, most MRR’s don’t like Bachmann products at all. I have to say I bought a few of their steam loco’s and a few of their diesel loco’s and haven’t had any problem with them, detail is poor, with the exception of the Spectrum Line, somewhat compared to Atlas, Athearn, BLI, or Proto, but hey for the price compared to the price of some DCC loco’s they’re cheap, some less than $50.00 DCC installed. The Spectrum Line isn’t bad at all, in my opinion, whether in steam or diesel.
Most on the link, Bachmann site, have Bachmann DCC units.
Its not that MRRs don’t like Bachmann products, they just want more. More for our money. More…
Sure EZ command does exactly what it says, but eventually, MRRs want to move beyond the abilities of the system. To truly unlock the true capabilities of DCC you have to do better than what Bachmann is force feeding you. For example…
EZ command doesnt allow you to adjust CVs. EZ command decoders lack any advanced CVs. Hence, the decoders are offered to match their system.
Now, if you want to run your EZ command loco with another DCC equipped loco and they are not running at the same or near the same speed, then you are out of luck.
If you want to have a different lighting effect other than on/off, you are out of luck.
If you want to add momentum, you are out of luck.
If you want to adjust sound volumes, you are out of luck.
If you want to control more than one loco at once, you are out of luck.
If you want a walk around throttle, then you have to buy their ‘grey’ EZ command controller. Very strange way to do walk around.
So, if you want to go beyond the absolute basics, you need to replace your system. For some more coin, you can go with a full featured DCC system like the Power Pro or the Zephyr and both have great upgrade paths. I wouldn’t recommend the MRC line of products because they have their own limitation.
Decoders can be had for 13 dollars each (NCE D13SRJ) and have more features than you will ever need.
David B
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Hence, the decoders are offered to match their system. What!!! You make that sound like you can only use Bachmann loco’s with the Bachmann system’s only no other decoder. Bachmann decoders are NMRA compl |
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Your absolutely right! Why bother buying something other than Bachmann EZ command? What was I thinking?
David B
RR: I can’t jump in the water !!
PN: Why not??
RR: I can’t swim!!
PN: What are you worrying about - from this height, the fall with probably kill ya !! Let’s go !!
The hardest part with DCC is that first leap. Ya, if you’d asked first I would maybe have recommended a Digitrax or MRC starter system, but this one will let you get used to DCC and learn a lot. You gotta get wet before you can learn to swim. [swg]
For those that don’t fully understand of what is involved with adjusting CV’s in decoders, here is a list of the possibility’s of cv’s for a 2006 Sound Traxx decoder. Small wonder some just hit default and use the factory settings. I’m just not ready to get this involved!
2006 SoundTraxx
PRIM_ADDR 0x03 /* CV 1, Primary Address */
VSTART 0x00 /* CV 2, Vstart */
ACCEL_RTE 0x00 /* CV 3, Baseline Acceleration */
BRAKE_RTE 0x00 /* CV 4, Baseline Braking Rate */
MFG_VER_CODE VER_ID0 /* CV 7, Manufactuer Version Code */
MFG_ID_CODE 141 /* CV 8, Manufacturer ID Code */
/* MOTOR CONTROL CVs */
MTR_PWM_PER 180 /* CV 9, PWM Period */
BEMF_CUTOUT 0 /* CV 10, Back EMF Cutout */
PACKET_TIME_OUT 0 /* CV 11, Packet Time-out Value */
/* ANALOG MODE CVs */
ALT_PWR_SRC 0x01 /* CV 12, Alternate Power Source */
ANALOG_MODE_FUNC1 0x00 /* CV 13, Analog Mode Functions */
ANALOG_MODE_FUNC2 0x03 /* CV 13, Analog Mode Functions */
/* SECURITY CVs */
CV_UNLOCK_CODE 0 /* CV 15, CV Unlock Code */
CV_LOCK_ID 0 /* CV 16, CV Lock ID */
/* EXTENDED OPERATION CVs */
EXT_ADDR_MSB 0xC0 /* CV 17, Extended Address MSB */
EXT_ADDR_LSB 0x03 /* CV 18, Extended Address LSB */
CONSIST_ADDR 0 /* CV 19, Consist Address #1 */
CONSIST_FUNC_GRP1 0 /* CV 21, Consist Function Active */
CONSIST_FUNC_GRP2 0 /* CV 22, Consist FL Func. Active */
CONSIST_ACCEL_RTE 0 /* CV 23, Consist Acceleration */
CONSIST_BRAKE_RTE 0 /