is this a good DCC system?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

it is the bachman ez digital command controller system

it is on ebaY BUT I DONT KNOW HOW TO POST IT

item number is 120214669800 if that helps

2

I have one, works fine. Most people here say you will out grow it, but for the time being, works like a charm for me. I have 4 locos on it and 5 turnouts that it controls. Have fun.

3

I’m happy with mine. They work good for a starter system. You can get them new for $60-$70.

4

ok enough info for me i bought it [:D]

5

The DCC system should be ok but avoid the Bachmann decoders.

6

ok, can i buy a loco with any decoder in it?

second in the pic it shows a PLUG for the track how do i do that with atlas EZ track? or flex track i thought i had to have the wire with the rail joiner or am i mistaken?

7

The plug is for the Bachmann EZ track. You can just cut it off and solder the 2 wires to your 2 rails on regular track.(or your buss wire) The EZ Command will work with NMRA compliant decoders. You can’t use it to change CV values. (like changing sounds or volume or special lighting effects) You can run your trains. Turn lights on and off. Change direction. Do limited consisting and control stock sound functions F1-F9. You can also control one DC locomotive with it. It will run 1-4 locos at the same time.(depending on how many amps they draw) Store up to 9 locos in the stack.(or memory)
It should come with instructions on a CD that explain everything.

8

so youre saying i cannot have sound?

what exactly are CV values

i can run the DC loco i have now? until i buy a DCC loco

sry this is VERY new to me and are still somewhat confused and not sure what i have gotten myself into[X-)]

9

Jason,

The Bachmann E-Z Command is a good little 1-amp DCC system. It’s not real fancy or sophisticated. For what it does - albeit limited - it does well.

Loathar has given you the low down on what you can expect from it. Drop us another line when you get yours in. I enjoyed mine for the year that I had one.

Tom

10

Jason,

No, you do have access to 8 sound functions - i.e. F1-F8. With the E-Z Command, you have control of the following:

  • Speed

  • Lights

  • Direction (forward/reverse)

  • Emergency stop

  • 9 DCC addresses

  • 1 DC address

  • 8 sound functions

CVs are what’s called configuration variables. On a more sophisticated DCC system, these can be adjusted or altered to tweak you locomotive’s decoder so that it runs better or more prototypically. You can also use it to speed match different locomotives so that they run evenly in a consist. The E-Z Command does NOT give you this capability. That’s why it’s a limited system.

Yes, you can run one (1) DC locomotive on address “10”. However, the motor will “squeal” while it’s doing it.

Jason, I believe I mentioned this to you before in a prior post. Please go to the following web page and read their DCC Primer called DCC for Beginners. This will really help you understand what DCC is about and what you can expect it to do. You can either read it online or download it as a .pdf file onto your computer.

Tom