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Cascade Man
Engine Wiper
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 Posted - 03/20/2012 : 1:24:29 PM
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Hello everyone! So I just received my HO three-truck shay with DCC and sound that I scored for $145 bucks "buy it now" I saw the item right after it was put up and I don't think the guy selling it knew what he had. He described it as "new" but when I received it it was certainly used; however in fairly good condition. Here is the problem: I am trying to run it on my DC test track with a DC bachmann ez-controller and when I power it up to about 35 the sound kicks in for an idle locomotive. When I power it up slowly after that the sound starts up for a starting loco and does the two whistles to go forward. Then the DCC Sound sounds like the locomotive is supposed to be moving but it's not moving forward at all. Then I power it up a little more and the chuffing sounds get faster and faster but no movement. Finally the locomotive moves forward a centimeter (well passed when it should of been moving according to sound) and then stalls out and the decoder resets I believe or something. I have very little experience with DCC but my layout will be DCC. I just need help getting this beauty running so I can convert it to my BVM conversion! Any help or ideas?
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Country: USA
| Posts: 111 |
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andykins
Fireman
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Posted - 03/20/2012 : 1:26:09 PM
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have you tried it on DCC yet?
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"Is it really "rivet counting" if it's regarding NBW castings?"
Unknown |
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Country: United Kingdom
| Posts: 3873 |
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Cascade Man
Engine Wiper
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 Posted - 03/20/2012 : 2:15:47 PM
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No I don't have a DCC controller yet. I was thinking of buying the Bachmann EZ DCC though.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 111 |
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littledave
Engine Wiper
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Posted - 03/20/2012 : 2:20:12 PM
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I’m not sure what you what controller you have. The Bachmann E-Z Command Control that I have is DCC. Do you know anybody with a program track linked to their computer with the right software for programming decoders?
Dave
Orlando , Fl.
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Edited by - littledave on 03/20/2012 2:23:01 PM |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 230 |
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Tom Sullivan
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 03/20/2012 : 2:54:09 PM
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My advice is to find someone with DCC and ask them to run it for you.
Or go ahead and get the EZ DCC unit and try it....you said you are going to go DCC anyway.
Don't get frustrated trying to figure out what's going on while running a DCC sound equipped engine on regular DC...
After running it on DCC you will know if it's the engine or decoder and whether or not you really got the "deal" you think you did....
I'm sure you will be happy running it on DCC....tom
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Country: USA
| Posts: 2426 |
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Reg Barron
New Hire
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Posted - 03/20/2012 : 5:23:07 PM
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Does it repeat the same sequence every time (including the stall out)? At first look, it appears the loco is simply full of oxidation that could wear off with running. I would let it go around an oval for a while, and give it a nudge when it stalls, until it can make laps on its own.
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| Reg Barron |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 42 |
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Geezer
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 03/20/2012 : 6:04:55 PM
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You really need the DCC controller to get anywhere.
The test track can be a single (or 2) sections of flex track.
If you are going to go with DCC, I would suggest skipping the
bachmann controller and get one that you can use for programming
down the line. I have two Digitrax Zephyrs. I use Decoder Pro
(a free DCC program) from JMRI to read and edit the CV's.
You will be money ahead if you buy the best you can afford now.
Just my opinion, may be different than others.
Once you run your trains with DCC, you will sell your DC stuff...;-)
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Bill
CC&BW
Wilani Lumber & Mining Co.
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=34275&whichpage=58
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=28172&whichpage=89 |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 8177 |
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thtroll
Section Hand
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Posted - 03/20/2012 : 7:47:25 PM
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I agree with Bill. You should get a DCC controler, and the Digitax Zepher is a great start. It lso allows you to connect up to 2 DC controllers to it (through the jump function), allowing you to run three thottles (one loco specified per each DC thottle). I have programmed one of my Tsunami sound decoders to sound whistle on start up and stop and to run the bell at a set speed. If this is the case with your decoder, the DC may be causing a short. The speed table on the decoder my not be set as a 'staight' line thus affecting start up.
Adding the PR3 and JMRI to the mix will definatly be your best plan. You can the have the program identify the decoder fou you, making re-programming much easier.
Hope this helps a little, good luck,
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| Cheers, Heath. |
Edited by - thtroll on 03/20/2012 7:48:21 PM |
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Country: Canada
| Posts: 83 |
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Cascade Man
Engine Wiper
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Posted - 03/20/2012 : 11:40:36 PM
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I don't know of any other model railroaders in my area so I just bought a DCC controller. I have been needing to so now it's another thing off my checklist. It's just weird how the shay moves forward an inch then resets and wont work tell you turn the power off and start over then does it again.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 111 |
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Tom Sullivan
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 03/21/2012 : 08:34:16 AM
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Let us know what happens after trying it out on DCC.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 2426 |
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thtroll
Section Hand
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Cascade Man
Engine Wiper
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Posted - 03/22/2012 : 1:58:32 PM
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Yeah I took the tender part and looked at the decoder. Everything looked find to my untrained eyes. I honestly had no idea what I was looking at but nothing popped out at me.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 111 |
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Cascade Man
Engine Wiper
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Posted - 03/27/2012 : 01:00:41 AM
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So I plugged in my new DCC controller and I could already tell that the sound was much better quality. However the engine kept stalling when in would move forward or reverse. However after some TLC and lube I think I have it running like a swiss watch. I will never go back to DC. Period. Now I have to gut the bachmann shay and start on the BVM conversion!
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Country: USA
| Posts: 111 |
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t.ariel
New Hire
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Posted - 03/27/2012 : 07:04:38 AM
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C.M., I sent you a private message but I guess you didn't see it. Good Luck with your new DCC.
Tip
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Country: USA
| Posts: 18 |
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Tom Sullivan
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 03/27/2012 : 07:43:22 AM
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Glad to hear things worked out well.....tom
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Country: USA
| Posts: 2426 |
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