Bachmann 3F tender loco query/fault

[great central]

I'm hoping the collective knowledge here can help. I have a Bachmann 3F which I bought from a deceased estate so don't unfortunately know it's history or where it was bought.

Having bought several locos from the same source, all chipped and working, the 3F does nothing. Even trying to interrogate the chip reveals nothing. Having dismantled the tender, it seems that one of the little metal 'fingers' that should be inserted into the socket is actually on the outside (it appears to be pin 1) This, I presume, is a manufacturing fault? That being the case I think I need to speak to Bachmann!

Then there's the installed chip, the brand appears to be 'Soundtraxx'? Does that mean it's actually a sound chip, there's no speaker installed but if the previous owner hadn't been able to get the loco to work, may not have gone any further?

Any help gratefully received, this is a very new field to me, I'm only going down this route because I got several locos at a bargain price from the same source, of course I could just rewire the loco for straight DC operation.

[Nigelcliffe]

Soundtraxx do make sound chips, though they are US sounds (recent announcement by Soundtraxx of entering UK market have been made).

 

But, they also manufacture non-sound "normal" chips.  These are available both under their own brand, and under Bachmann's UK brand (where they will identify as made by Soundtraxx).   So, odds on, its just a Bachmann branded ordinary decoder.    It should work, but its nothing special.

 

 

Is the fault as simple as "chip plugged in wrongly" ?  ie. moving the chip to the correct orientation will correct things ?   Or, even, its the "wrong chip plug" which someone has somehow forced into the wrong shape of socket ? 

 

 

- Nigel

[great central]

Thanks for the quick reply Nigel, as you say probably just a Bachmann chip, there were some still in their packing if I recall correctly.

The 'pin' sticking out is beside the mount on the tender PCB, which the chip plugs into. I would post a picture but my phone won't focus down to the size required.

[Grovenor]

it seems that one of the little metal 'fingers' that should be inserted into the socket is actually on the outside (it appears to be pin 1)

Certainly won't work with Pin 1 disconnected. Suggest you remove it from the socket, straighten up the pin(s) carefully then re-insert it.

Regards

[great central]

Thanks Grosvenor, you've confirmed my suspicion. Not that simple to rectify though, it's the pin attached to the PCB, I presume when they're made the pins all stick up and have the 'shroud' fitted over the top then fastened down to the PCB. This one has escaped at manufacture. I've just tried it on dc with the blanking plug in, still nothing. Must have been faulty from the start. Simplest thing is to rewire for dc only, but I'll give it some thought first.

[Mick Bonwick]

The 3F has a 21-pin socket fitted to the tender, and that has pins 'sticking up'. Keith is right - remove the decoder, carefully straighten the errant pin until it lines up with all the others and carefully re-insert the decoder.

[great central]

Thanks but the problem isn't with the decoder, it's the male plug mounted on the PCB that the decoder fits onto. I now know that pin 1 is an essential so need to decide whether to get in touch with Bachmann about it or just cut the wires and set up for dc only. DCC is very much a fringe interest having bought a Hornby TTS 37 and, at the moment borrowed the club controller.

[Spitfire2865]

I know nothing about DCC, but if its just a single pin damaged, that should be easy enough to fix?

[smokebox]

As I understand it, if it's a 21 pin (male) socket, then pin 1 is only a hall sensor input and is not essential for running.

 

Motor connections are on pin 18 & 19 and track connections on 21 & 22. Index pin is 11 and should be missing?

http://www.sbs4dcc.com/images/430_bachmann_21mtc_diagram.JPG

[Grovenor]

Sorry, I was assuming an 8 pin plug, smokebox should be correct.

If you have a meter that can check ohms look for continuity from pickups to pins 21 and 22 and from the motor to pins 18 and 19.

Regards

[great central]

Thanks to everyone, although I can't explain the problem without a photo, I know that it's a manufacturing fault. In time the loco will be renumbered and weathered so I'll modify the wiring at the same time to just DC. The thing is that it has obviously been faulty from new and never tested! That will also do away with the annoying little plug under the tender.

[AMJ]

It doesn't sound faulty just a chip inserted onto the pins wrongly. Correcting the bent pin and placing the chip onto the correct pins will get it to run.

[Mick Bonwick]

I wonder if you have made the same assumption as me. I thought that the pin was bent, but the original poster didn't actually say that. The problem was quoted as being a pin outside the decoder. That may be why the installation is described as faulty rather than damaged.

[great central]

Sorry to keep labouring the point but when I get home and some batteries for my camera, I'll post a photo. For getting on 30 years of my life, I have been involved with electrical stuff including PCBs so although not down to component level, I can tell if something isn't put together right. Thanks once again for the replies, I was more interested in the decoder, but also whether this manufacturing fault would stop the loco working as I know that many of the pins are unused.

[brittannia]

Was the chip fitted upside down?, if faulty I am sure Bachmann will  charge for any service unless you have a receipt with purchase date,

Edited December 22, 2015 by brittannia

[great central]

Postscript to my question, I now have a photo of the offending item, courtesy of my son's DSLR, my camera wouldn't focus down small enough, well it is about 10 years old.

 

 

[AMJ]

Gently straight the pin then ensure the chip has all the correct pins in the right place and it'll work o.k.

[great central]

But that 'pin' should be inside the surround. The chip is fitted on top of the pins sticking up, no matter now, the wires are going to be cut in the loco.

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

Clearly a manufacturing fault. Bachmann service will help with that if you want it restored to 'new' condition.

[Pendennis]

Having just switched to DCC, its my 3F's turn for a decoder.  But how do I get the tender top off?  I have removed the two screws as indicated on the 'exploded' diagram and this releases the rear of the tender but lifting it as much as I dare, the front wont move and looks as if the brake gear / handrails will break off if I try to lever it anymore.  Any suggestions?

Martin

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

The couple I have tackled were early releases, and I had the very same problem. Something broke off at the front - I think the front platform with the handrails and brake standard on it, but it cemented back on with nothing to show - to release the tender top. Cement it back on after the tender top is back on obviously. Not exactly ideal, but it is a very attractive model.