Decoder replacement

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I have a Bachmann GP40 and would like to put in a better decoder. I noticed that the decoder is a board with the lights installed on it. Does anyone have any recommendations? I noted that the loco has two wires from the motor and two wires from each truck. I would like to put in a digitrax. I have a zephyr.

Thanks

2

Designed for the Bachmann. I have never done one though.

http://www.ncedcc.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=garden_flypage.tpl&product_id=51&category_id=13

Everyone, store the link in Favorites for future reference.

Rich

3

But it’s not Digitrax, lol.[swg]

4

No one else currently makes a drop in replacement for the Bachmann decoders. The NCE one will work quite well with a Zephyr. I have a Zephyr, an extra booster, 3 throttles, adn a bunch of other Digitrax stuff - but no Didigtrax decoders. My current locos all have TCS decoders, with a few older ones still have NCE D13SRJ’s. That’s the beauty of the DCC standard - it all works together.

–Randy

5

I have installed Soundtraxx decoders in Bachmann GP40 & GP38-2 (they’re pretty much the same under the shell). I also use a Digitrax Zephyr Xtra for the command station.

Are you looking for motor control only? Are you looking for sound too?

You can watch this before deciding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHvK6JEjNqQ

6

Just to emphasize a point: ALL decoders will work with ALL DCC systems. You don’t HAVE to use Digitrax with Digitrax or NCE with NCE, etc. It won’t make them work any better or worse. It seems at the moment, the only “drop-in” replacement for the bachman board is the NCE. There are lesser quality decoders, Bachmann is one of them, in general MDC is also one of the lesser quality decoders… The higher end decoders are NCE, Digitrax, TCS, ESU and a few others (not in any specific order).

7

Thanks Jay

8

I watched the video and was very impressed with what you did. Excellent

9

I’m hoping this is directed at me. Next time I will show soldering the wires onto the board. Hope the video helped and [Y] are always appreciated!

10

You did not mension anything about removing the capasitors that were soldered on to the motor in your video. I thought that would be one of the most important things to mension when installing a decoder in a Bachmann locomotive.

Truck.

11

Early MRC decoders ONLY worked with their Command 2000 system…no others.

David B

12

The “M&M” type capacitors are for use and compatibilty on the European market. According to Soundtraxx (since we’re in the U.S.A.) it does not matter if you remove them or leave them. But I guess I can mention that in the next video.

Thanks

13

I’m surprised Sountraxxx says it doesn’t matter, as the capacitors, in concert with the inductors on the circuit board, tend to interfere with any decoder using high frequency drive and back-emf. Other manufacturers recommend removing them.

–Randy

14

That hasn’t been my experience, I still have 2 MRC decoders bought with the C 2000 system in locos working with my NCE system, (44 tonners). They’re still running so I haven’t changed the decoders.

15

Those early MRC decoders onyl do 14 speed steps and only support Register Mode programming. Not all systems directly support that anymore, but there should be no problem operating one that’s already programmed.

–Randy

16

Well that’s it then, they’ve never been reprogrammed! The 14 steps seem to be working with the 2 (old) 40 tonners, they run fine and I don’t like to fix what ain’t broke.[:)]