Received the Bachmann DCC F7 locomotive at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, ran it a few times slowly never more than right above a quarter power to half, changed the track to N-Scale 11" radius from 9 3/4" radius. Ran it a few more times, and ate dinner. Went to change the default number 3 decoder address to 1 on the Bachmann E-Z Command System, no power at all since that time, nothing, nadda, a dead locomotive. Occasionally the lights will come on, sometimes on program 1, sometimes on program 3, who knows, and when they do choose to come on I can turn them off and on and dim them, still no power at all to the loco, won't move, turn the wheels or anything. I'm very disappointed at this point! Even took the shell off which I hardly ever do on my locomotives (I know I am supposed too to maintain them), but I have never been that person to mess with the locomotives, as I do more damage than good. But I got it off thanks to that spook site. Put it on the track with the shell off, and can't even get the light to work. There isn't a separate bulb that went flying is there? Isn't it connected to the dccoder board, the tiny bulb. I mean it worked at first, what could have happened in that short amount of time? Could changing the decoder address have screwed something up that easy? And the DC transformer was not near it I was so freaked out at first? And I was using the same track terminals, just connected them to the DCC command, so DC TECH II didn't even have any wires to be connected Any ideas from anyone appreciated?
You most likely need to reset the decoder, then see if the loco will respond using address #3. You can reset this decoder to factory default settings by setting configuration variable 8 (CV8) to a value of 8 using any NMRA-compliant DCC controller.
I can't help you, but that sounds similar to my first DCC experice, saved up all my money for a sound drcoder, ran it for a few hours then boom, nothing it wouldn't work, I was stupid and didn't send it back to Mrc. I strongly suggest if it continues to not work send it back to bachman.
Well it was bought second hand at a great price so sending it to Bachmann is not an option, I would imagine. Plus I am not spending money shipping stuff just for it not to work, or be charged for repairs and shipping. And I don't have or know anyone with an NMRA compliant DCC controller, which the Bachmann E-Z Command is, just can't do the CV and fancy stuff with it, like the NCE, Digitrax, and all that, which I could care less about. Just want to put the loco on, loco run, just very simple train running. I'll mess with it a bit, and hope it starts working magically again, just like it stopped working. And I was looking so forward to this. Where is Samantha from Bewitched when you need her....Google it Well it's back to DC for me it look's like, Thanks everyone
The reset information is right from the Bachmann web site, if your system is in fact NMRA compliant then you should be able to reset the decoder if it contains a reset CV.
Well the Bachmann video s I watched a thousand times, says it is but does not mean I can reset cv, s. Well the hobby shop is no good, and calling Bachmann didn't work. Ohh well. Thanks anyway Sent from my SGH-T399 using Tapatalk
Have you considered visiting a local model railroading club that uses DCC? I know that our club and most if not all of the others in my area accept visitors whenever we are open, and chances are you will find someone more than happy to discuss your issues, even if they aren't modelling in the same scale as you. If you were visiting us I would suggest you bring your loco and a few pieces of track - even though we run HO we could easily connect our NCE PowerCab (that we use for testing and programming locos) to your track and test out your loco. We happen to be in upstate NY so probably can't help, but I was able to locate a few clubs in the Memphis, TN area (I assume you are in TN) with a little bit of Google searching.
I guess you can't program much of anything with a Bachmann EZ system. It the operating system that won't allow the unit to change CVs. I wonder why Bachmann does state that on there web site? You could look at a unit that connect to a PC, like a Sprog device, that uses the free program JMRI decoder pro to program your locos.
Yes I am in Memphis, but only found one club (send list please via PM), and had actually send an email right before this all happened. Haven't heard back from the one I sent an email too. Been looking for a local club in the past few weeks, and haven't found one yet!
I have JMRI downloaded, what is a sprog device and the cost. This was suppose to be so simple...thus the name E-Z Command And there is a market for these type's of controllers like me, that don't want to spend a ton of money, and only run trains once in awhile, and then pack it back up. I get the cost if you are in a club or have really expensive locomotives and the such. Never mind just saw the price of a Sprog Me cheap! Thanks everyone,
Try programming the address again. This time after programming, remove the engine from the track then place it back on. don't worry, you won't mess anything up but you might get it fixed. Martin Myers
BTW, Bachmann's system gets the NMRA conformance warrant because everything it does complies with NMRA standards. It doesn't have to do everything to meet the standards because the NMRA does not have a standard on what "everything" is. They do have a minimum and EZ Command meets it.
Had to pack it back up as I am getting ready to paint the room the train is in. Thus the reason for the bare bones 2 x 4 layout And why I was so happy to use DCC before it got packed up for a little bit. I did leave the locomotive out of packing just in case I can set a test track back up. BTW, what is a programming track, and Bachmann states you can program their engines on the main line. Man I am so frustrated and have read so much about this that my head is spinning. Will a wrong decoder code cause no power to the locomotive. I mean it literally was on the track off and on in a span of 4 hours, for total of about 30 minutes, cause I was reading up on the controller, DCC, eating dinner, and so forth. Everything was working until I tried to program it to another number besides the default 3. Being a Bachmann locomotive and E Z Controller could it have fried the thing....and next question is how? I just might ask a member here that has a NCE, Digitrax, etc...to take a look at it for me. Hopefully someone in or near Tennessee, to save on shipping and get it looked at sooner, as this is way over my head. It should have just worked. If somehow it will not work, I won't be happy, and will probably end my DCC era for a least awhile, if not forever. Thanks everyone. You have all been really helpful trying to assist me and I appreciate it very much! Finally got registered with the Bachmann forums. This should go well....not expecting much
Wow, the prices have really went up, I paid $40 for my older version. You might keep an eye on ebay for a used one.
Kind of funny that Bachmann states that you can use any NMRA-compliant DCC controller, to reset there decoders right on there web site!
Even with better systems, I have found trying to change addresses using Programming on the Main problematic. Plus, it is a really bad habit, once you get two locos, and have both on the track at the same time. It is much more reliable to use a programming track for address changes. On the EZ Command, the process is actually changing your track into a large Programming Track. But now we get into the question of does it have sufficient power to support that much track, with a clean signal. Page 5 of the manual even describes setting up an isolated programming track, with 100 ohm resistor. Programming is at a much lower current than operating, and a "simple 2x4" layout could still be 10 to 11 feet of track.
My NCE works great for programming on main and since I do not know how to wire things very well or Anything I just take all my Locos off and use the whole layout as a programming track
