My first request for help since joining the forum. Today, at last, I went DCC and wired-up my Lenz Set 100. Within minutes I had my Broadway Limited SP Cab Forward gurgling away followed soon after by my Broadway Boston & Maine E-Unit - just fantastic on full DCC. My British outline stuff has been sidelined for the time-being pending chipping.
Operating under DC I had a Maine Central Bachmann Spectrum Baldwin 2-8-0 Consolidation which is a very good runner so I would like to convert this to DCC. Looking at the parts diagram supplied by Bachmann the wiring arrangement looks quite simple so I hope this would be a suitable model to attempt my first chip installation.
Not having had any experience of chipping locomotives I wonder if anyone out there can tell me what to. For instance, does the chip go in the tender on top of the pcb? is it necessary to chage the headlamp bulbs? are there any hidden problems.
Hope someone out there who has done one of these conversions can point me in the right direction. Thanks a lot.
I think a good idea it’s to read some articles in MR published in the last two years.
I think there is some articles about putting DCC receiver in modern make steam model loco.
I don’t remenber when but there is an article of a kibash on a consolidation which include DCC convertion
Bachmann Spectrum locomotives are one of the easiest there is to add DCC because there is a socket in the tender that the decoder simply plugs into. Check Web sites such as Tony’s Train Exchange, Loy’s Toys, and Litchfield Station for information on decoders that will fit into the Bachmann tender. Even SoundTraxx makes sound systems that are “plug-n-play” for Bachmann locomotives.
One thing you do want to watch on Bachmann when fitting DCC: Are the headlights fitted with resistors so the bulbs don’t blow or (worse) melt the loco shell? I fitted a Lenz decoder to a Spectrum Doodlebug a few months back and had to add a couple of resistors to the interior light and the headlight to avoid them overheating. Hope this helps!
Thanks for your input - it looks as though it’s real easy - can’t believe it!! I’ll check out the sites you mentioned. Thanks again.
What is most amazing is that Bachmann UK-outline models have only been DCC-ready for the last few months whereas it seems that Bachmann US-outline models have been DCC-ready for ages. Seems like here in the UK we are still in the stone age!!
I fitted a Digitrax DH121P decoder in a Grizzly Northern Bachmann 2-8-0 after several fit attempts. The decoder sits snugly across the front top of the PCB in the tender, just clearing a small disc capacitor and the front post that secures the tender body to the frame.
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I have the Plug and play system by Soundtraxx. Neat little system to say the least. That’s the nice thing about Bachmann, Rivarossi and LifeLike 2000, as they have circuit boards with the 8 pin female socket that will handle the 2 row 8 pin plug. Life doesn’t much easier.