Bachmann's E-Z Command questions.

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
21

I think thats what I’ll do, try to find a good deal on it, try it, and see if I like it, and then, when I expand, buy a better system.

Thanks for the help Tom

22

Your welcome, Grayson. [:)]

That’s exactly what I ended up doing. I had mine for a little over a year and enjoyed it for what it was.

During that time, not only could I enjoy running trains with DCC, I was also able to investigate and determine what I really needed and wanted in a more sophisticated DCC system, without feeling pressed to make a knee-jerk decision. I then saved my money and bought the NCE Power Cab. AND…I was even able to recoup some of the cost of the Bachmann because I sold it to one of the fellas here on the forum, whose still using it.

Grayson, keep us posted on your endeavor…

Tom

23

[quote user=“tstage”]

Tyler,

Hey, no flaming from me. The bottom line with the E-Z Command: If you can accept and live with its limitations, it is a nice, no-frills, inexpensive DCC system.

I can’t argue with the any of the reasons you’ve given for not going with the E-Z Command. However, for some who:

  1. Want to try out DCC but aren’t sure
  2. Don’t have a lot of extra cash to spend
  3. Enjoy simplicity
  4. Never plan to run more than a couple of trains at a time
  5. Have or expect to always have a small layout
  6. Don’t plan to utilize any of the functions above F8
  7. Don’t have the desire to program a decoder beyond giving it an address…

the E-Z Command can be a viable alternative. I bought mine for $53, enjoyed the year that I had it, used that time to look into what DCC system I wanted to upgrade to, and the Bachmann to another forum member, who’s still using it to this day.

Tyler, thanks for listening to my “rants”. I hope this in no way comes across as trying to flame you on your points. Actually, your point about the Zephyr having the capacity to be used as both a master and slave unit is an excellent example of why the Zephyr is such a terrific starter system. Nothing (power

24

Well, I placed my order for the Bachmann EZ command with the DCC equiped loco, and its supposed to ship tomorrow. Cost about $100, not a bad deal for me, just to try it and see if I like it.

25

I started with the EZ Command which as a basic unit is fine. I did outgrow the unit, however while the replacment unit a MRC has all of the bells and whistles I will ever need it will not run DC units which I miss. I have a seperate logging line on my layout which does not connect to the mainline tracks and have delegated the old EZ Command unit to this line exclusively, works great for my two shays one of which is sound and DCC and the other without.

26

Can EZ command control ANY DCC equiped loco ever made?

Wouldent the 5 amp booster make the system more powerful and operate more engines?

27

The EZ-Command will run any loco equipped with ANY NMRA compatible decoder. It will also run any DC only locos you may have. The MRC units will not do that. As far as I know, the Digitrax units will also run your DC only locos as well as DCC ones.

While the 5 amp booster will make the system more powerful and capable of running more engines, I have better uses for the $250 that the booster costs.

28

Jeffrey,

I’ve actually seen the E-Z Command 5-amp power booster for $150-$175. (See Tower Hobbies link)

Grayson,

Jeffery has answered your question well. I would hold off thinking about the 5-amp booster for now. Play around with the E-Z Command for a while before you start to comtemplate more power. IMHO, for the price given above, you could purchase a fuller and more powerful starter system.

Tom

29

I agree with the advice to forget the booster. This is not about power, at least not yet. This is about “learning” and development of ideas as your experience with DCC permits.

Later, when you find that the EZ-Command is so limited that it must be retired, you will not want an expensive booster that may not be compatible with System Titan that you end up using for the foreseeable future. So, if you want to spend a few tentative bucks to dip your toe into DCC, the EZ-Command will get your toe wet. Once you know what you can and can’t do, then turn around and figure out which currently available system meets your newly defined needs.

30

If you buy an EZ command you will wish you bought something better a few moments into running your loco’s.

I have MRC Prodigy Express it’s every thing I need for DCC.

31

Possibly. It happened that way for me, but Tom used his thoroughly for at least 12 months, and still has a soft spot for that system. If the retail price were $115 for an EZ-Command, I would try hard to convince a person to forego the experience and ultimately the waste of cash…unless he can recover it in resale. But the system is cheaper, and not such a bad investment for someone who likes to take things one step at a time.

32

I agree with you whole-heartedly, Crandell. If it were only a $40 or $50 difference, the Power Cab or Zephyr are the better and wiser route to go.

When I purchased the E-Z Command for $53, I was able to also afford a decoder and new replacement golden-white LEDs for my Athearn 2-8-2 Mike and my P2K S1 - the only two locomotives I had at the time. Basically, I was “up and going” - ALL for under $100.

It all comes down to knowing what you are buying and accepting whatever limitations that system has. As you noted, I was able to recoup some of the cost by later selling the E-Z Command to Ken.

Tom

33

WELL… I got my E-Z command in the mail today. Acutally, I’m pretty impresed with it. I got the set wich includes the Conrail GP-38 or 30, Im not quite sure, maybe I’m wrong with both, IDK. I think I will be fine is I buy the booster, and run just 1 or 2 trains at a time on my layout. Time will tell I guess…

34

Hum T Stage I wonder who that other member is?[:D] I all so know you other folks sell it short. As far as the power a mer 1 amp? I have ran 4 yes 4 BLI’s with QSI sound at the same time with out a problem.

Reason I still have it running at this point around $1500 worth of egines? While at my LHS that has a great track using Super Cheifs I keep seeing people (Not Me) fiddling with there contolers to get there engines to run?

Case in point, I bought a Blue Line GE AC 6000 with sound. Had K-10 install a decoder before I bought it. When I went to pick it up, took them 15 minutes and I am not kidding to get it to move with sound? Seems someone pushed the wrong button and turned off the sound, lights and brakes?

To many buttons!

I do 95% of my stuff a-s backwards but here is my thought as of now.

Buy a Zepher and use it only to fiddle with the CV’s. When you change the CV’s you can really talior the way you want the engine act and sound. But if you hit the wrong button, well push it to a spur.

Buy a Bachmann 5 Amp booster to run say 5 to 10 engines, less buttons less problems. At this point after paying $600.00 for a PCM $ is not the problem. But after a few train nights at K-10 Trains and watching all the folks there fiddle and fiddle to get the engine to run, well I like simple.

Before you folks Mushroom cloud me, I have my BLI Class J draging 30 cars, BLI M1a draging 20 cars and Blue Line GE AC 6000 pulling 26 coal cars.

When I get te Zepher I will use, but first problem I cause I will get the 5 amp booster. Life is to short to fiddle with buttons.

Not very smart Cu

35

Grayson,

Hey, that’s good news. [:)][tup] If you ever have any questions, feel free to post them here on the forum or drop me a PM.

Tom

36

[#ditto] I have the Bachmann also.I have run 2 Bachmann shays, a Spectrun 44-ton and a 4-6-0 with no problems ( no sound btw ) . It is what it is, a low cost DCC system to start with, and I was very happy to pay $50.00 for one off E-bay.

My 2 cents

37

In the Command manual, it says some complicated (at least for me, [:D]) things using resistors and stuff for using a “consumer installed decoder” Now, my question is, is this “user installed decoder” meaning that you installed your own decoder in the inculded diesel, or a diesel bought as “DCC ready”? Does this mean you have to do it even if you buy a Athearn or Atlas loco with a decoder already in it?

Thanks

38

I use the EZ-Command as well. By itself it can pull three trains (Athearn BB locos). With the booster I’ve run nine at one time easily. I got lucky and found the booster for $90. A friend of mine was selling his old EZ-Command setup and I bought the whole thing, so now I have two spare power supplies (1 amp) and two spare controllers. It also included a plugin throttle that plugs into the I/O port on the controller. Not a bad deal. He even threw in three Lenz decoders.

39

Jeffery, you arent confusing this with a new thread are you? I’m just saying you’ve kind of repeated yourself with your last post, just wanted to help you out and make sure you not confusing me or this thread as being new.

40

No, I haven’t confused it with a new thread. I see the title Re: Bachmann’s E-Z Command questions. I’m ellaborating on my previous post so others know what I have and where I stand on this.

In reference to your post, Any decoder that wasn’t installed at the factory when the loco was manufactured or installed post-market by the factory is a user installed decoder. The only time I’ve had to install resistors is to cut down the voltage going to the lights.

The only other thing in the EZ-Command manual relating to resistors has to do with making your own program track, which isn’t difficult. Just follow the instructions and you won’t go wrong.