I just got my Bachmann EZ command DCC system yesterday, and it is a very good and easy to use system. The system is small enough you can use it as a handheld, and it is no problem to get some engines up and running.
But, the system only comes with a 1 amp pw supply, and bachmann only recommends running 2 engines at a time, but the system can run 9 DCC engines.
So what do you do to add to the power? I haven’t seen any larger power supplies offered, so I don’t know what they expect you to do.
I was gonna ask you how you liked that unit. Good price and even comes with a loco in some packages. So now I know what I think I will be getting. As for the power. I have heard people using transformers to power up their layouts. Like if they have a turn table and round house setup or something that requires separate and decent power. As for what kind…I haven’t gotten that far yet. I will let you know if I do! Good luck!
NYCentral1,
Someone correct me if I’m wrong but…from what I understand, I’m not sure there is ANYTHING you can do about expanding the EZ or increasing the power. That’s the price you pay. It is what it is: limited.
Tom
Well, if that is the truth, why did they bother setting the system up to run 9 DCC locos and one DC engine?
In case you own more than one? [:)]
But seriously, it’s set up to store the addresses of 9, plus operate 1 analog loco. Not run 10 at a time. You only have control over one at a time, or I guess two, there’s a way to hook up a DC power pack like the Zephyr Jump Ports too. Other DCC systems don’t have a button for each loco - you simply enter the decoder address, which usually is going to be set up (unless you are truly crazy) as the cab number of the loco, or the last two digits of the cab number. Those systems can ‘run’ 9000 locos, obviously NOT all at the same time.
I wonder what addresses the bachmann system programs in when you assign a loco to the button - does it go 1,2,3… or does it use some other numbering scheme? I’m kind of thinking it’s 1-2-3 because the instructions mentioning pressing button 3 to run a brand new loco, and decoder default addresses are always 3.
–Randy
Do you think in the future they may offer a larger pw supply sometime?
I think they will end up expanding this product line, so maybe we’ll see more stuff in the future…
NYCentral1, and Tom -
I have seen on t he Bachmann forum (http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/index.html, click 'Ask the Bach-man")
that thery plan to release several accessories this year, including power boosters., and additional throttles. The EZ-Command has an I/O port through which it will communicate with these other devices. I have heard Lenz made this system for Bachmann. Perhaps the I/O port uses the same bus as Lenz?
Ghostbear29 -
I hope someone more expereienced will chime in, but let me start things by noting that poweer for accessories is separate from that for locos, though many power pac/controllers provide terminals for accessory power. The EZ-Command does not do this. I will need a separate supply for my remote swithces. For now we switch them manually.
regards,
Scott.
Hi NYC1, I got mine about 3 weeks ago. It is so easy to set up its scary. The add on will take one of bachmanns little power supplies as an add on right now. Analog that is. There are future expansions of bigger p/s coming, but I don’t believe it til I see it. I got mine with the loco for $85, so I thought it was worth the shot. Saw the locos at train store for around $40, so @ $45 for DCC I’ll try it. Only have one DCC loco, so far, wanted sound and more, and they are not cheap. But I like the simplified wiring, and the options to build multi train consists. It will be expandable down the road, and if it doesn’t work out, I learned a lot. I like mine. It is not able to handle some programming, let the big boys program the loco, and then it will run it. That is the limited part. Video that came with it was cool, but didn’t explain a lot. Neither does their website, they need to add DCC and explain it better. Good luck, let us know how YOU like it.
Tim
Well, i figure that for the price, the system is very good, and it gives me the chance to try out and learn about DCC on my little double loop rr.
As I add engines and begin to build my perm. layout, if Bachmann has expanded this enough I’ll add on to it and keep it. If not, then I would have still gotten to try it out and have gotten the chance to use sound and other neat features in my layouts infancy.
Then I’ll just move up to a more expensive and better Digitrax system or something else.
I run a Proto 2000 E8/9 AB set and the Bachmann GP40 at the same time on my Bachmann EZ DCC. All 3 are moving at the same time with lights. The E8 AB are both powered, I haven’t tried 4 locos at the same time but there has been no problem with 3. I run the E8 set with 8 cars on the main line and use the GP40 to move to 2 sidings across the mainline. I haven’t completely set my layout up yet and it is still in blocks at some places.
RMax
The socket on the back is supposedly compatible with Lenz DCC equipment - it’s to their X-Bus protocol. Have read this in a couple of magazines over here, though I’ve not seen anyone using it alongside Lenz controls. Having said that, if you attached this to a Lenz system as a throttle, you’d still only be able to drive locos addressed 1-9 surely? Alternatively, what would happen if you plugged one of the Roco “Lok-Maus” handheld throttles (also Lenz-compatible) into it? These can run locos addressed 1-99, so would they still be able to or would they be stuck with the 1-9 of the Bachmann base unit? Just curious!
I went on that “Ask the Bach-man” are also and in a post about EZ command switch control I found this:
Dear All,
We will release both a switch and accessory controller and switch decoders this year, as well as the 5 amp booster, EZ Companion, and locomotive decoders.
Have fun!
–The Bach-Man
You sure got a quick reply. Hopefully the system will grow with us. Keep me informed either here or direct email as to your progress. Have a great day.
Tim
NYCentral1,
Thanks for checking in to that! I think you have the right attitude about your system. For the price, it’s a good and somewhat inexpensive introduction into the DCC world - even if Bachmann weren’t going to do all that they mentioned in the e-mail. That’s good to know though.
I had mused over just picking up the EZ system around Christmas for just the above-mentioned reason. If Bachmann does come out with what they propose in the next 6 months or so, I may have to strongly consider their simple system for my 4 x 8’ layout. Thanks again for looking in to that NYCentral1! [:)]
Tom
I have the EZ Command and tried running more than one loco on a large loop of track to test the various methods of control. I had three running, each on a seperate address, and in a matter of seconds, the situation got out of control due to confusion as to which loco address button was controlling which loco. The emergency stop button allowed a breather and time to change direction of the locos. It would be difficult to imagine 9 engines running at once, each in a seperate part of the layout, each going a different speed and direction, all under the control of a single person, using a single controller.
As has been mentioned before, DCC allows ease of layout wiring and operations near prototypical where each loco is under the control of an individual, each with his own controller, is able to enter the space of another loco without worrying about whether the block controls are set properly and the throttle in control of that block is set for the same speed and direction as the loco entering the block. For a single operator, controlling more than one loco at a time can become a hair raising experience not to speak of destructive.
Bachmann did well with the EZ Command for entry level experimentation. Each button on the controller has a “canned address” that is assigned to and programmed into the decoder in the locomotive currently on the layout. That address can be changed to another by pressing another button while in the programming mode, but be aware that all locos with decoders sitting on the layout, will be assigned the same address and will respond unpredictably when that button is pressed in the run mode. The “operators manual” just casually mentions that only the loco intended for each address should be on the layout when doing the programm
I Have the Bachman EZ Command and the companion contoller. I have also had the problem of all locos on the main being reset to the new address [ consisting ] Also to break up a consist, one engine must be isolated from the other. I have no seperate blocks to span, so I must remove 1 loco from the rails to break up a consist. My walk around companion, has a problem with the EMERGENCY STOP, it must be held or the trains will resume their collision corse. Now that I’ve got that out. The good thing is I have a 36" X 80" layout, with 4 independant loops of N Gage road. and can run 4 seperate trains [ atlas B-30-7’s W/factory DCC] with 4 to 8 cars each. with NO problems. there seems to be plenty of power available, because adding the 4th train does not affect the speed of the other 3. For me EZ Command has been a good introduction to dcc. [8D]
Uh, Unless I am missing something you CAN get a 5 amp EZ Command booster for the EZ Command. That will expand the number of locos you can run with the system. The basic system itself will run at least 3 locos itself. Add the booster and you can run more locos.
The EZ COmmand 5 amp booster can be available here:
To run a DC loco inaddition they recommend this DC controller designed to plug-n-play into the EZ Command controller;Wholesale Trains, Model Train, RC Helicopter, RC Airplane, RC Boat, Garden Railroad, Park Flyer, Parts, Services
Hope this helps. {I have the EZ Command and really like it, simple to use and ease of use,but I also have a very small HO layout and can really only run no more than 3 locos}.
I used an EZ-Command for two years before upgrading to a Digitrax Zephyr. For the first year I the EZ I could run three trains at once. In year two I picked up the 5 amp booster for $90 and could run ten locos at once. I could probably have run more. I never tried to. I have the booster tied in with my Zephyr now and can run all the locos I need. Today I was running three trains at once with a total of seven locos rolling, four of them on one train.
I have a EZ-Command, but its not hooked up. I need the chip in my engine, but at one time it was running a Broadway Limited engine with sound. It did real good. My layout is only 12x8, and I plan to run two engines if that many. I think it will do good for something in that sense.
Its good for what you pay, and need it for.
I bought the EZ DCC so I could test DCC, especilly when I bought my first DCC engine, the BLI 2-6-6-4, when I finally got it I could check out its features. I stuck with it to tinker with DCC, now I have the Digitrax Radio, but still have the ezdcc to test on.
ezdcc is fairly limited and cost effective, thats the whole point of it, for the average user.
On the average one train generally sustains 1 amp draw so its a one train thing, it may powerup more than one decoder, but only run 1 at a time. actually you can set it to run more than one train, if you keep the power down.
My Digitrax is rated 5 amps and has a good sized heat diffuser, while the ezdcc prolly has a small electronics arrangment that cannot handle large currents. Multiple trains must be able to handle the current needs, why there are 5 and 8 amp systems and boosters, or you will be blowing circuit breakers.