[:'(]Just purchased a new Spectrum USRA Light 2-10-2 with DCC. There were no instructions, just a one page notice and it says that the DC operators can run this engine but need to read the instructions as to how to set it up.
Yes, I still run DC. Can I just place the engine on the layout or do I need to do something first.
Thanks,
Robert Sylvester, WTRR
Robert, You don’t need to do anything to the loco, it will run on DC just the way it is.
What kind of DC throttle are you using? Does this loco have sound?
If you use a more advanced DC throttle you may have some problems with good throttle response or buzzing noise - but you will not hurt the loco!
If your loco does not have sound you should find in the package two small metal jumper plugs with a small diagram. These plugs will allow you to remove the DCC decoder and you should see better DC performance from the loco without the decoder.
This is a link to a thread I posted a while back with usefull info on improving the overall operation of Bachmann Spectrum locos.
http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/181314/1984908.aspx#1984908
While I do not have a 2-10-2, I have a sizeable fleet of other Spectrum locos including nine USRA Heavy Mountains which are very similar in construction to the 2-10-2.
I would suggest that you add some weight to the tender, and I understand there is room to add weight in the loco if you desire it to pull better.
Also, if you can identify the capacitors on the tender circuit board that are across the botor leads, removing them will improve the slow speed performance of the loco.
Sheldon
This should be in the DCC Electrical forum. Probably not obvious.
If the loco is straight from the factory, it should run under DC. You will have to turn the power pack up higher than with a straight DC loco. Nature of the beast with a dual mode decoder loco run by DC.
If from a private source, the DC option might have been defeated as this option can cause runaways when the loco has been run on a DCC controlled layout.
Obvious thing to do is to go to the Bachmann forums and download the DCC documents.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php
Rich
From your first post, it looks like you have the EZ Command non sound decoder, a low end Lenz decoder which is not the best. Bachmann shows the EZ Commad document you can download.
I would get the Digitrax DZ125PS decoder and plug it in. It says Z scaale but good for up to HO. One amp.
Plug in a better decoder and clip any capacitors that have the C prefix next to them. Some are a yellow blob, some a SMD type on the PC board.
I do not think the caps on on the loco at this point. Bachmann has done that with some of their locos. Don’t worry about the two inductors. They might look like a green resistor with colored bands around the green body. Some locos have a wire would inductor you can plainly see. With no caps, the inductors are a moot point.
Rich
Why would you recommend replacing the decoder if the OP is going to run it on DC?
It is among those that Bachmann provided with jumpers to easily remove the decoder for DC operation. And the improvement from removing the decoder will be noticable on almost any DC throttle, as will the removal of the motor caps - Baed on several reports I have from others, all the circuit board in the 2-10-2’s are the same as the 4-8-2H - they all still have motor caps located on the tender board - not on the motor - and plug in decoders that can be pulled out and jumpered.
No one using DC wants the high starting voltage of a dual mode decoder, not to mention that cheap or expensive, many dual mode decoders do not like BETTER DC throttles like my Aristo Train Engineer wireless radio throttles.
I would again suggest the OP remove the decoder and sell it on ebay, they actually sell quite well - I have sold a lot of those pesky Bachmann decoders that way - pulled from DCC onboard locos purchased for m
I run DC also, and simply remove the circuit boards and the plugs completely. With a slight revision of the loco’s wiring and the addition of a simpler plug mechanism, the improvement in performance is remarkable. This also frees-up tender space to model an open coal bunker and to also add more weight.
Wayne
Wayne, just curious, what kind of throttles are you using?
To the OP, If like Wayne, you are not concerned about headlights, his method of removing all the electronics is a good choice as well.
To the DCC users - IF I was going to put a decoder in a Bachmann Spectrum loco - the factory board would go and I would hard wire the decoder directly for the best performance, not simply plug in a “better” one, but it would be a much better one than Bachmann provided.
Sheldon
Sheldon, you may recall that when Bachmann euthanized my much beloved Thumper, it was replaced with a Spectrum DCC On Board 4-8-4.
Just curious, what is the problem with the Bachmann decoder that prompts you to recommend replacement?
Also, I agree with your comment to add weight to the tender. That is a must, at least on the 4-8-4.
Rich
The el-cheapo DCC OnBoard motor decoder isn’t silent running, for once thing - hence excessive buzzes and hums from the motor. It also lacks BEMF and a bunch of other features - it might do speed tables but not CV6 for mid speed, or the other way around.
Lenz logn ago stopped selling this decoder under their own name, and replaced it with much better ones. Either they continued to make it for Bachmann or they had so many left that they sold them to Bachmann for a price low enough that Bachmann could put them in and not really charge more for the loco. Consider the NCE D13SRJ at $12, which is a superior decoder in every way and offers all the missing features except BEMF.
Part of the reason I suspect for the choices Bachmann made was that the capacitors and chokes used to suppress RF interference also interfere with high frequency motor drives. However, even the basic Bachmann decoder improves when the capacitors are removed.
–Randy
I don’t if it’s true for the 2-10-2, but the 4-4-0 I purchased recently had a false bottom in the box. Under which were instructions and an exploded parts diagram.
Enjoy
Paul
The Bachmann decoder is best removed, I agree with earlier post.
Richard
I have several throttles available to use, including the handheld one which came with the Controlmaster 20. I also use a couple of Intrakit SCR throttles, as I really like their push-button control. Also available is a pair of MAW-SCALE transistor throttles. These have an independent braking feature which allows very nice control by playing the brake against the throttle. Unfortunately, these and the SCRs don’t have enough power to run multiple locos on heavy trains.
My preferred throttle for operation is a PWM throttle from Ken Stapleton. It offers great low speed operation and plenty of oomph for long and/or heavy trains with multiple locomotives. Like the SCR and transistor throttles, I run it off the AC terminals on the Controlmaster 20, but it can also be used with DC input. Unlike your wireless Aristocrafts, these are all plug-in with memory, except for the SCRs, which have (like me) no memory.
Wayne
As a hard wired throttle choice, I also like Ken’s PWM throttle.
The Aristos work very well, but they do require a nice filtered/regulated DC supply for the best results.
I even made very small rubber ducky antennas for the transmitters and I still 150-200 feet of range.
Sheldon
Paul:
Hey, I never thought about that, thanks. I’ll take a look.
Robert Sylvester, WTRR