Just received my new RS-3 and when it goes straight through an Atlas Code 100 turnout, the both footboards hit the screw on the turnout motor. The screw is in all the way, not even a spade under it at this time. The coupler height is correct and I see no way to raise the footboard without raising the couplers. Any thoughts?
Second problem is that it seems very slow to me. It doesn’t start moving until around step 5. Even at full step 28 it is much slower than any other loco I have. My Bachman 2-6-0 starts to move at step 1 and performs very nicely. Since I am new to DCC I haven’t tried to reset speed values yet. Figured I wanted to get the other problem fixed first. (don’t mess it up, in case it has to go back to Bachmann). Is this slow performance normal? If not, what values should I reset it to? No literature on setting the decoder came with it as it did with the other. (Other one was a sound, this one is not.) Did find and copy the information on the E-Z Command two function decoder. Thought it was CV’s 2, 5, 6 that had to do with speed control, but the info sheet only list starting voltage for CV2, doesn’t list 5 & 6 as being supported.
Will go to the Bachmann page if I haven’t figured things out by Monday.
All contributions to my slowly growing understanding of DCC will be greatfully received.
Common with the turnout-mounted switch motors. Back in the day, Atlas supplied them with little extension pieces that you inserted between the motor and the mounting holes on the turnout that set it back slightly, enough to clear locos with larger overhangs or lower footboards. That’s the real solution - you’ve moved up to something better than a train set loco, don;t modify the loco, fix the track.
Thanks for the replies. Glad to know I have gone to a higher level of modeling, but it’s a bit of a pain in the somewhere. I do have many of the many of the “set offs” that Atlas made. For the moment I will remove the offending screws, as everything is hitched down at the moment. If I decide to electrify the switch motors, I’ll take the time to adjust the scenery to accommodate the set off. It might even be easier to hide the motors, if they are not quite so close to the track. Only problem is some of them don’t have much room to an edge or other track.
CV2 is the starting voltage. Raising the CV value will get it to start sooner and too much will make it jump start. Some decoders do not support CV5 and 6. CV5 is the top speed and CV6 is the middle speed. Don’t forget CV 3 and 4. These are the momentum CVs. CV3 is the acceleration momentum and CV4 is the deceleration CV. Every decoder and locomotive will be different as to the values in each CV. Not sure who makes the Bachmann decoders but manufactures also have other motor control CVs and trimming to adjust forward and reverse running speeds. Replacing the Bachmann decoder with a full function aftermarket decoder would not hurt and make a so, so running loco into a nice running loco.
Here is a listing of the mandatory, recommended and optional CVs from the NMRA.
Yup. On my layout foot boards will snag on the third rail. Maybe you do not have a third rail, but I follow NYCT practice and have no foot boards.
Actually, if you keep the engine, you can use your Dremel tool to sand off the bottoms of the foot boards, so all that remains is a paper thin foot board. Of course is that does not work, Atlas does have setback pieces for their switch machines, however in some situations the LION has simply had to have a go a the switch machines with his Dremel tool. You will be surprised at how much you can cut off until you are down to what is important.
LION has found his Bachmann diesel to be slow. Him opened it up and pulled out all of that motherboard stuff, and just wired the motors directly to the wheels Him likes that better, and besides, him has to train-line the power to all of the wheels in the consist. Him LIKES 48 wheel pick-up.
IIRC, Bachman uses one of the cheaper DCC decoders made by Lenz. I would replace the decoder with another brand, Digitrax, NCE, TCS, etc and see if that makes a difference. I too would consider a hardwire instead of using a circuit board, that a decoder plugs into.
Caboose Industries makes ground throws that look and operate much better than the Atlas manual machines. They also have a lower profile so are not likely to interfere with the locomotive and they are relatively cheap.
Pete, raised to the top value listed, much better, but still nowhere near as nice operating as their 2-6-0.
Carey, not ready to change the decoder yet, but may consider it later.
Jay, have some Caboose ground throws, but a couple of these are where I plan to have powered turnouts. Will definitely be using them on the next, larger layout, where I can.
