From what I read online the early versions of this AHM loco had a five pole motor which may be possible to convert to DCC. The later ones had 3 pole motors which I read may not be able to be converted without swapping out the motor.
Has anyone here converted an early AHM BL-2 to DCC successfully, and if so, are there any things to look out for while doing the conversion.
DCC and 3 pole motors is fine. Where did you hear otherwise?
Actually it’s in the comments section of this video of a AHM gg-1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjJQXRv4qIU
I know the loco is different but I just wondered if there was some “special” wiring config for the AHM motors that prevented DCC conversion.
I don’t have the BL-2 in my possesion yet - so I cant take the shell off and see whats inside. I am assuming its the vertically mounted five pole motor. From what I see online the rear trucks feed two wires to the motor so I dont think I will have to isolate the motor from the frame.
I did the conversion to DCC and it runs like a kangaroo - motor refuses to run smoothly like it did in DC mode.
Tried this on two old AHM models (both BL-2s) and the exact same response from both.
What decoder did you use? You may need to adjust the motor drive CVs to make it work properly.
–Randy
Randy,
It was an MRC 1621 Ver 2 DCC/Sound decoder (I just had laying round). Its still connected to the loco so I could adjust a few CV’s.
Which CV’s would I need to change to adjust the motor? There are ones for speed tables, back EMF, kick start voltage, etc. But mostly I just fiddle with the ones for sound or lighting.
Any hints or pointers would be great as I can try that before accepting defeat.
Randy - T H A N K S!!!
I read about jerky movement when converting to DCC. I tracked it down to the back EMF CV’s so the first thing I did was turn the darn thing off. On my decoder that was set CV 124 to Zero. Worked like a charm. Rolls like a champ now.