Hi guys,
more truble from the emerald isle,i have just got an sd-45 greath northern by bachmann,and ho peter witt,when i set them on the programme track my nce power-pro can not id the decoder,i can get the long address in pag mode ok but they run in reverse,am i doing something wrong or is it the decoder in the spectrum models.they were a very low price from micro mark,who did a great job packing ect.
regards
PATRICK
Patrick - I bought three of those SD-45s myself from Micro-Mark … heck of a deal !!!
The decoder though isn’t of much value in MY opinion. The decoder is made for Bachmann by Lenz and is basically their “bottom of the barrel” model LE100 decoder. Information on it can be found here, if you are interested …
http://www.lenz.com/products/decoders/olddecoders/le100us.htm
I swapped out this decoder for a TCS one and the difference was amazing ! The engine ran surprisingly quiet in comparison to the original decoder ! Slow speed control was much improved as well. For an additional investment of $15 per engine, it was well worth the upgrade - they now perform as well as the rest of the fleet !
Mark.
The decoders in these Bachmann units are designed to be programmed on the main. I’ve found that trying to program them on a program track is hit or miss. One thing, try putting putting a resistor (I don’t remember what size) across the rails. This may create enough load to make it show up on your DCC unit.
Guys, you might want to go with the NCE Bachmann specific replacement decoder. It fits in where the old board is (although with a few of the DCC onboard models I have done, the mounting holes were reversed so I had to drill new ones opposite).
http://www.ncedcc.com/bachdv35.pdf
Best thing, these are inexpensive and good quality decoders (although no back EMF). I have done over a dozen on my layout and have no complaints…but you still are only getting a Bachmann to run. I just spent the weekend speed matching Spectrums, P2Ks and Katos. No comparison.
The Bachmanns are noisier no matter what you put in 'em.
If the loco is running backwards, it is likely the decoder motor wires were reversed. You do not have to rewire it at all. Once you have replaced the crappy onboard decoder with a good one of your choice, change the wires over. Even then, if you get it wrong again, you can always tell any decoder to run the loco in reverse fashion by setting the correct value for CV29 (that is why that option is made in the decoder software, because motor wires’ polarity is not always easy to determine or can be mixed up when the loco is put back together. I sometimes just change the direction rather than resoldering, particularly if the directional lights will always be on in both directions…which they should be for all diesel locos anyway, unless they are back locos in a consist. )
The type of decoder you’re speaking of is what I call the Bach1. It’s a long circuit board running almost the length of the loco. These are most commonly found in the cheap DCC OnBoard models. The type of decoder found in many of the Spectrum locos I’ve seen is like that in the photo below:
Although they’re designed to be operated wit
Thanks for the thread Patrick.
I’ve just received four of these SD45’s and my Zephyr isn’t recognizing the deocder either. I plan on replacing all of them with Digitrax decoders.
Glad to know what the problem is now. I was starting to wonder what was up.
If you don’t want the Bachmann decoders, throw them my way.
Jeff, when I pull 'em you can have 'em!
Stick them old decoders in a passenger car or caboose to control the lights … that’s about all they’re good for !!! [;)]
Mark.
Check your PM’s.
I have the NCE Power Pro Wireless and have had no problems at all programming the Bachmann DCC On-Board decoders. Use main line programming instead of the programming track. As others have already pointed out, the Bachmann decoders are actually made by Lenz of Germany and are the cheapest Lenz products offered. One thing I learned a long time ago about programming any decoder on the main is to set CV 29 to a value of 34 after programming a long address if you don’t step through the configuration screens.
Putting a resistor across the rails as some have suggested does nothing but overload the Power Pro, so don’t do that. Doing so is of no value at all with the NCE systems.
Finglarailroad and Macjet,
Unless you already have the Digitrax on hand, I would still suggest the NCE Bach DSL.
Sounds like you might not be sure what a loco specific decoder is. These drop in exactly in place of the old decoder\circuit board with a little soldering on the pads. Directions are specific for your locos and 2 LEDs are included with the decoder (although some of those old SD45s come with LEDs instead of incandescents already–but you get two extra LEDs that way for another day.)
I didn’t include the sellers website because I am not supposed to help with advertising. But you won’t find any decoder as good for $15 anywhere from Digitrax (unless you hit upons some old stock).
If you can’t identify the retailer’s website from the illus. above, PM me and I will tell you who.
This is the decoder that comes in it …
The first thing you need to do is scrap that base PC board with all the diodes on it. That board alone significantly draws excess voltage that creates the constant directional lighting on DC, but isn’t required with DCC. A TCS T1 (just MY personal fav) will fit right in that cavity. Maybe the earlier poster got a bum drive as mine with the new decoder is as smooth and quiet as my Atlas units !
Mark.
Sorry, but that top photo looks like a P2K and not a Bachmann.
Thanks Otis. I don’t have the decoders yet. But I will look into it. I’m all for a drop in replacement. I was origianlly trying to go with all Digitrax just for fleet commonality.
You’re right about the wrong photo - I must have mis-labelled my files
Photo has been removed.
Mark.
I was wondering how you received a much nicer Bachmann loco then I did!
Ok - here’s the correct photo …
Note all the diodes, capacitors, reisitors and chokes on that board !!! All that stuff needs to go. Do not use a decoder that plugs into that board … you won’t be happy with the results. Trash the whole board and install a straight DCC board - the difference will amaze you.
Mark.
Good morning everyone.
Thanks for all the help with sd45,has anyone tried to open up the “Peter WITT” HO model,i really like this unit and intend to run this at a high level across the back of MALAHIDE on the fingal railroad.The good news is that i have found a bach-dsl decoder in my decoder box i also have a nce krs-sr does anyone think this willfit into a PETER WITT.
MANY THANKS
PATRICK
Why are you trying to fix something that isn’t broken – I have two of the Peter Witt streetcars and they both run just fine with the Bachmann (Lenz) decoder.