I have been looking at a Bachmann SD-45 which comes with a dcc decoder. I have not yet made the move to dcc so could I run it in the meantime on regular DC?. Bachmann’s website was not any help on this matter.
Lou
I would stay as far away from this crap as you can as ANYTHING is better!!!
And you’ll much happier in the long run.
pp
Lou I have about 6 Spectrum all Steam and the work just fine. If it is JUST the Bachman I would stay away.
I hope claycts is right, I just ordered two Spectrum SD45’s with DCC and sound. I’ll let you know.
Generally speaking only…the regular Backmann line of product is not up to par with the quality of, say…Atlas or Proto 2000, but then again, it usually isn’t in the same price range either. You kinda get what you pay for in life, and this holds very true with model trains.
The Spectrum Line of product is much better quality, but usually a little more pricey. Spectrum Steam is highly regarded in the hobby second only to BLI Steam and Brass.
Don’t have much insight on Spectrum Diesels as I don’t own any.
Lou,
If it’s the newer, inexpensive, “DCC-equipped” locomotive line that Bachmann came out with the past couple of years with the Lenz decoders (List: $40-$50), I’ve heard several folks say, for the price, they are a decent running locomotive and good deal.
Tom
I just recently picked up two DCC equipped GP30’s. Not as smooth running as my P2K or BLI, a little noiser at lower speeds than the P2K, not as well detailed as them. But at around 30 bucks a piece it’s a heck of a good deal. IMHO these two engines are probably the best bank for the buck that I own.
Oh, BTW. I think someone posted a thread on the new Spectrum SD45 a few months ago. Try searching the forum and see if you can find it.
Seems no one has answered your question yet. YES you can run the Bachmann SD-45 on DC. When and if you switch to DCC all you have to do is set up the address and go. It will run on DC just fine. Put it on the track and go.
I have 12 of the cheap ($30.), standard not spectrum, Bachmann diesels and all of them have DCC installed. Bachmann uses Lenz decoders and they work fine on DC and DCC. I had one that was noisy. I sent it back to Bachmann and they sent me a new one within 2 weeks.
I also have 5 Bachmann Spectrum steam engines. All run very good. Only one is a factory DCC, (2-8-0). I have not had any problems out of them.
Bill
I have a spectrum ge8 40c runs great but is a bil loud ut it isn’t a problem for me I turn down the hearind aids.
the old spec diesels werent great, but the new ones like the SD-45 or any of the others that are DCC equipped or DCC ready are actually quite nice. And at $30 a pop they are a steal.
I have just gotten back into model railroading after being away from it for a few years, and found out that the Bachmann Spectrum 2-10-2 has a compatibility problem when you have a Digitrax power supply. I can’t make out the manufacturer on the decoder, but it only moves at a crawl on DCC. With the jumpers installed and the decoder removed, it runs fine on standard DC. After talking to them at a local hobby shop, it sounds like a rewiring of the engine is in order. I take it Bachmann has problems meeting the NMRA standards?
Phil
Got the two Bachmann Spectrum SD45’s. Both have the same road number so I’ll be changing that, however both run fine. I’ve mu’d them and run them pulling a string of 15 spine/impact cars with weighted trailers, so they are fair pullers. It looks like they have bright white led’s. Now, some of the detail work may not pass the more discriminating among us and they are a bit glossy, but generally the units run fine and look decent. After weathering, I would expect them to look much more realistic. If you don’t want every consist or train to be a show piece, for the price, they are hard to beat.
How come the new forum didn’t fix erroneous comments like this? hahaha
I have some spectrum and was told I had to cut something on the mother board before the DCC chip worked . I cut it and they do. I have no idea what I just said, but I guess you have to do it. I hope someone who does understand will fill in the gaps. Somehow I found a web site with pictures that showed my what to cut. Maybe I should go back to keeping records, but I quit that with retirement.