Hi, I have a Bachman GE 44 Tonner that is about 3 weeks old. It has had in total about 30 minutes running time. Until about an hour ago it was running fine until it just stopped and now makes a buzzing sound. Is this something I can fix? Bit hard to warranty return from Auitralia to the US...... cheers Gary
I had one do the same, I sent it in to Bachmann over 2 mos ago and still it's not back. You might be able to turn off DC (analog) operation on the stock board maybe that would help. The stock board has limited features though. I think if you replace the board with another decoder it will fix the problem and also improve performance. Digitrax and TCS have boards that will fit but still need some soldering I believe. Also you could hardwire a Z2 or similar decoder.
Just to check first, are you running on DC or DCC? If you are running on DCC does it respond to read back (can read CV values on the programming track). If read back works you might try doing a decoder reset which I think is by writing 08 into CV08 for that model. If you're lucky something in the decoders programming is just messed up (maybe voltage CVs out of wack). Another strong possibility is something fouling the gearing for which I'm not the person to give out advise. Good side would be some gunk trapped in there preventing the motor from turning, bad would be if a gear has cracked. Unfortunately getting the shell off is fairly easy, but it looks like getting at all the gearing could be a challenge.
Yeah change the DCC board you might have killed it due to static shock. This happened to me besides get a better DDC board, the Bmann is way to simple of a DCC board.
Thanks guys, I am running DCC, and as a new be to this hobby, am not sure about lots of stuff. Will try the re set, as above. Can someone let me know how to get the shell off please? cheers Gary
No read back.... :-( Sorry, just got it to read back,, tried the reset cv08 , removed it from track and put it back, still only get a buzzing noise, guess it's screwed... Gary Gary
Stupid question: you tried it in both directions? I had a old Kato F3 that I though gave up after decodering it, and it did the same thing. Turned out it had picked up a piece of Ballast in just the right spot to bind the whole thing. I ran the thing in reverse, then back forward, witch knocked the ballast out, and have never had a problem since.
Do the headlights still work as they should, if they do that could mean the decoder is ok and the problem is in the mechanism.
Found the problem: The drive gears are locking up, seems one of the gears is slightly malformed (only have a cheap magnifying glass so can't be sure.) but I can feel it locking with one of the wheelsets removed when I move the gears by finger. Explains the jerky running I've had on this from new. Freed it up and it ran again for a while before locking up again. Same problem. Guess it's a write off.....cost to much to post it back to US from Australia. No more Bachman for me... Gary
You could always contact Bachmann and see if they will send you a truck. http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/serviceform_2010.php If all else fails, you can buy a replacement truck from Bachmann for a couple bucks: http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_70_113&products_id=290 This is not a problem I have seen a 44T yet. Not saying it isn't posible but it sure sounds like debris in the gear more than a malformed gear. The gears are so fine in these things, it doesn't take much at all.
I'll go along with skipgear, it wouldn't hurt to contact Bachmann to at least see what they say, an email would save an overseas phone call. I wouldn't write off Bachmann either, I've had the same thing you described happen with locos from most manufacturers. My brother and I between us have two 44 tonners and a 70 tonner and they've put in many hours of running at the club and train shows
Definately wouldn't write off Bachmann either (especially their new stuff with the great reviews). I trust the reliability of my 44T as much as I do any other locomotive I have. Now the Bachmann box set stuff I started with, thats a different story . . .
I have a problem with the DCC decoder on my new 70-tonner. I was trying to re-set it by setting CV 8 to 8 but Bachmann just told me to try setting CV30 to 2. I will try that when I get home. This may help you out, too. Sorry that your 44-tonner is giving you fits. Mine runs like a top. I hope it will get sorted out soon. Adam
[semi off topic question] I can't tell from that photo. Does the 44T have pointed axles or does the whole mechanism sit on the axle between the wheels, as does the F7 and Dash 8-40CW? How about the 70t?
Agreed..call Bachmann for a replacement truck.. Customers from all other countries should call [Exit Code]-1-215-533-1600. .
Blunt axle points. The axles ride on inside bearings and the pickup is done by wipers on the backs of the wheels. You can remove the side frames and the trucks will still work.
Hi, I will email Bachman. I just found out what the problem is. It took a jewellers 15x jewellers loupe to find it. Each axle has a tiny gear, and on one of the axles this gear has one bent tooth that jams the rotation of the drive mechanism. I tried to use some very fine wet and dry paper to smooth this off a bit and got the loco to run OK in one direction, but it clicks like mad in the other direction. The decoder and engine are fine. I will see if I can get a new truck from Bachman. If it's not economic to do so I'll just throw it away. (postage to Australia can be expensive). Whilst I had it apart I checked and found that two of the wipers (correct term for contacts that press on inside of wheels?) were not touching the respective wheels and this explains the stalling on turnouts. I fixed these and no longer have stalls. I guess In just got unlucky and received a "friday" train..... Gary cheers Gary
Gary, Instead of sanding on the gear, take an Xacto knife, stick the sharp of the blade in the valley of the gear on the side that the tooth is bent toward, then rock the knife toward the bad tooth and bend it back straight. Removing material is always a last resort.
Hi all, well I followed the suggestion to contact Bachman and sent an email via their customer service section on their website. I explained the problem and asked if I could get a new truck from them. Surprisingly to me I got an email back withing 8 hours asking for a copy of the purchase invoice and my address so they could send me a NEW LOCO. To say I am impressed that they would do this, sending a loco to Australia without me having to send it back to them, is a complete understatement. Well done Bachman, and I wish I got this service from every company I've dealt with. They obviously care about their customers.Problem is therefore solved! cheers and thanks to all who replied. Gary in Australia
