I got what looks like an almost brand new Bachmann Spectrum Decapod. It is DCC-ready. I’m using an MRC Prodigy Advance2 controller. Problem is, when I put the locomotive on the tracks, it shorts the layout.
Like I said, it looked fairly new in the box and the wheels don’t show any sign of having been run. I also tried it with a Bachmann E-Z Command controller. Same result. As soon as it is placed on the tracks, it shorts them.
What could be the problem? Of course, my other locomotives just work fine. Even an old DC-only one.
Are you operating it on address “00” (DC mode)? “DCC-ready” means that the locomotive is ready for a decoder but a decoder still needs to be installed into it. It won’t operating in DCC mode; only DC mode.
One possible cause. Bachmann tenders pickup on one side of a tender truck and other side of other tender truck. Some tenders, the truck can swivel 180 degrees and cause a short. Check that.
If the DC adapter is in place, it should operate like your other DC locos.
To easy test this, carefully unplug the two connectors and place the tender on the track by itself. remove and place the loco on the track.
The wires are delicate on those connectors. Do not pull on them. I use a flat jewelers screwdriver and pry them out a little. Two wires from the drivers connect to the decoder along with the pickups from the tender wheels. The other connector has power to the motor and power to the headlight.
I tried what you suggested tonight. It’s the locomotive that is the problem. As soon as I dropped it on the tracks, it shorted my DCC layout. I even saw a small spark from the wheel. I tried the tender too but it was ok. Even the backlight was coming on. I did inspect the locomotive’s wheels but didn’t see anything wrong. Is it a serious problem?
Bachmann locos have a plate on the bottom that holds the drivers in place. This plate also contains the wipers and wiring for the two wire harness/plug which carries the driver pickups to the tender circuit board.
I suspect there is a problem right there on that plate.
With the loco upside down, remove the two screws on the bottom of the loco and gently wiggle the plate off.
Look for damaged wipers, pinched wires, etc.
Bachmann still lists that part as being available if you cannot find the problem an repair it.
Be careful to guide the wipers into their correct locations when re-assembling the loco.
Well that is a good thing to check, I’m not sure if the front truck frame is plastic or metal, most are plastic, and the wheel set is double insulated, so it seems pretty unlikely.
The drivers are also double insulated, that is the axle is completely insulated from both wheels. That is why I suspect the bottom plate and pickup wipers.
With the plate off, check each driver for a short circuit as well.
Success! I did remove the plate, checks the little tabs pressing on the driver (?). They all seemed ok. I put it back together, then gave it a try on my DC layout:
Many thanks to everybody that did take the time to reply. Thank you!
I guess that if I want it on my DCC layout, I will now need to get the DCC decoder for it. Anybody has any suggestion besides the one that Bachmann sells at over $60?
I’m not sure you are out of the woods. It stalled at 0:06 right over the terminal track.
We can see the whole track, there is not issue with reversing loops or hammers on the tracks or even feeders. It has to run reliably without your finger pushing it before you consider adding a decoder.
You think? What should I do? I tried other locomotives that are DCC and DC and they seem to slow down at the same spots. I inspected the terminal track but didn’t see anything wrong with it. Keep in mind that this is a temporary DC layout. But, if you have any suggestion, I’m open. Maybe the locomotive would need lubrification? It apparently came from an estate. So, maybe it’s been in its box for some time. But it’s a Bachmann Spectrum, so it can’t be that old?
Other people can answer that better. It started OK away from the terminal strip so the terminal strip and the rail joiners are doing their job. Had you started it at the terminal strip and it died at the last rail joiner, that could be a current problem at the rail joiner.
It’s got to have good power at the terminal track or it would not run far from that track. It did seem to hesitate there the second time you moved forward. I don’t know why going backwards looked ok other than it was moving pretty fast.
Since it didn’t work at all and you took it apart and did something to make it better but not entirely fix the problem. Spectrum’s have been around a while but that did not look like a lube problem.
Another thought, is the track dirty there? Is there any plastic flash that could be interfering with the loco wheels.
A non sound decoder with eight pin plug can be bought for about $20.00. I have used Digitrax decoders. A DZ126PS is about that price. Good for one amp. I have bought from Litchfield Station. I have used the DZ125 in a couple Bachmann locos.
TCS has some with the eight pin plug that Bacgmann requires. They might cost a little more.
Don’t forget to cut the caps on the PC board.They bother slow speed running. Bachmann reps say the same. Don’t bother ripping out the PC board. A waste of time. The two inductors that might look like resistors are not an issue. I know. The caps have a C lable. The inductors an L. With no caps, the inductors are really a short piece of wire. I have measured them.
You don’t want the Bachmann decoder. Most rip them out and buy a quality decoder.
