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Bachmann peak sound decoder question...


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I recently managed to get hold of a really nice condition Bachmann class 45 second hand, it’s not boxed and has no paperwork whatsoever but the model itself is lovely. The reason I bought it was both because it was cheap and it was in the livery I wanted...

 

But. It’s a factory DCC sound fitted version, I don’t use DCC! So my plan was to buy it regardless and then do what I usually do with these sound fitted models and simply test it works via DC, then strip out the decoder & speaker and sell them on separately. 

Trouble is, this time I plonked the peak onto my layout to test it and it was absolutely stone dead! No sound, no lights, no movement even. Normally on DC when I’m doing this I get everything, just with limited sound functions.

So, I’ve done a bit of reading on the interweb and it turns out the model I bought cheap is actually Bachmann 32-679DS class 45 D27.

So question 1:

There seems to be a bit of an issue with these from new where the sound files aren’t quite right and therefore they will not work on DC. Is this right?

 

Question 2:

Will this affect it on DCC use? Could I sell it on for someone else to use?
 

Question 3:

Is there any way I can test it? Bearing in mind I have no DCC control whatsoever to test with. I don’t know anyone with DCC either.

 

From checking the model over after finding it wouldn’t work at all, I can’t find anything at all wrong with any part of it, in fact it would appear to have either never been used or very very little use (it’s spotless inside, wheels etc) so I decided to whip out the sound decoder and stick a spare blanking plug into it instead. Hey presto, it’s now working perfectly via DC! 
So the problem is clearly the DCC sound decoder. 
However, I’d love to know for definite if the decoder is dead/damaged or if it’s simply because I was trying to use it on DC and there’s a bit of a cock-up and back story with this particular models decoder. What I really don’t want to do is assume it’s ok, sell it anyway and then upset someone because it turns out the decoder is actually damaged!

Obviously if it is sellable it’s going to make this model much cheaper than it was already!!

 

Any thoughts or advice?

 

Here’s a few pics just to make the thread a bit more interesting!

 

037B2176-E39B-4768-B463-13A3B07C4162.jpeg.966a8e4a71e3ee3cf13ec800ef71694a.jpeg

 

C8D8708F-A751-42A0-91D6-813A01181A30.jpeg.e7d85e35c66a0c74086bfe5796a83311.jpeg

 

831EB7A1-58A9-4A6E-B13A-B87AA62A5613.jpeg.cfac83246a6fe78ca33d53a6c6a302b0.jpeg

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Dan.

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  • RMweb Gold

Dan, it's likely that the "work on DC" option has been disabled.  There's no way to reverse this without either a LokProgrammer, JMRI or a decent DCC controller.

 

Steve

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1 hour ago, 55020 said:

Dan, it's likely that the "work on DC" option has been disabled.  There's no way to reverse this without either a LokProgrammer, JMRI or a decent DCC controller.

 

Steve


Thanks Steve!

Thats a bit of a bummer if I can’t change it myself anyhow, I didn’t even know you could turn off the ‘work on DC’ option!

Its the first time I’ve encountered this tbh, normally when I try they go ok straight away. The last one was a Hornby 31 which I got in similar circumstances and it was fine. This one was a bit disappointing!

This is one of the threads I was reading: 

It doesn’t mean a huge amount to me though.

 

Anyway, PM replied to!

 

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That thread does make me think that Bachmann deliberately changed the default CVs to disable the DC option.  A strange choice for them to make.

 

 

Steve

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The OP says it was bought second hand. Much more likely that the previous owner turned off DC running in the decoder. This is sometimes done to help prevent runaways.

 

Regards,

 

John P

 

 

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Hello Dan

 

I see you have linked to my blog, but have you read all of it?  In the middle of my ramblings I said that I posted the D27 chip off to South West Digital who reprogrammed it so that on return it would run on Analogue.

 

From what you say you have a new and unused model with a LockSound V4 chip.  It must be worth a tenner to send it off to South West Digital, have it checked  / re programmed.  You could then sell it on with a clear conscience (and it coud be quite desirable).  It would have been worth approaching £100.00?

 

And in answer to Mr Pendle - yes they were sent outfrom Bachmann with DC running turned off.

 

Cheers Ray

Edited by Silver Sidelines
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Thanks chaps! Knew I’d get an answer on here!

 

Thats a new one on me then if they sent them out with DC off. Mind you, I’m far from an expert! As I say, normally I just stick the DCC sound ones on the track and off they go, sound and everything even on DC only. I was a bit concerned when this one didn’t!

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I can understand this being frustrating.

As mentioned earlier, there can be good reasons for turning DC off. Some will fly off at full speed when power is restored after a short, although most are fine. Disabling DC prevents this.

The annoying bit is that in order to enable it again, you need a DCC system to change this setting, but as a DC user, why would you want an expensive system just to do this?

Part of Bachmann's thinking is that they produce DC & DCC versions of the same model, but have not always done this.

 

Most good local retailers would be able to do this for you, which makes it a shame many of them have been forced to close by online competition.

Failing this, you could take it to an exhibition (when we have them again). You may find a friendly layout operator or a society stand who will look at it for you.

I was on a society stand a while ago & asked to check a DCC fitted loco which has just been purchased. I had a small test track with me that could be used for both DC & DCC. The purchaser used DC.

I put it on a program track & ensured DC was on. Job done, but let's check it on DC just in case. Nothing.

I turned DC running off & it ran on DC!

It seems this one reacted the wrong way to the DC setting, so there are pitfalls :scratchhead:

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2 hours ago, Pete the Elaner said:

.. why would you want an expensive system just to do this?
.

 Why not?  I have a DC analogue layout and a number of LokSound  Bachmann and Hornby models which will 'chuff' or 'brm, brm' round my layout.  All  you need is a Sprog to tweak the settings.  Most of the newer models run fine straight out of the box, some of the older models need the voltage lowering.  There are a lot of helpful posts on my Blog, one on steam here:

 

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blogs/entry/18788-well-chuffed-–-Bachmann-45504-royal-signals-ds-locomotive-running-on-analogue-dc/

 

Cheers Ray

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7 hours ago, Pete the Elaner said:

Most good local retailers would be able to do this for you, which makes it a shame many of them have been forced to close by online competition.


Yes you would think so wouldn’t you? My experience at my local shop was not so however. Even though I offered and expected to pay, I was given the brush off by the proprietor and told to go join a club....

 

I would send it to one of the digital specialists, as Ray suggests.

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Dan sent me the decoder and I can confirm that the decoder is fully functional under DCC.  Bachmann have disabled DC operation.

 

If anyone wishes to turn this feature on again, they need to set CV29 = 6

 

 

Steve

Edited by 55020
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It seems increasingly common for the factory default to disable DC running. I have a layout that can be configured for DCC or DC, so I prefer to have DC enabled on the DCC decoder so that if the layout is in analogue mode I can still use it. Another benefit is that it makes wheel cleaning easier as the wheels can be turned using a 9v battery!

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Thanks everyone for the help and assistance with this. Good to know the decoder does actually work and it’s not a fault. Must admit, it threw me when I tried it and nothing happened. At least now I know for the future!

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1 hour ago, andyman7 said:

It seems increasingly common for the factory default to disable DC running.....

 

Hello Andy. D27 is getting to be quite an old model.  I would venture to say that Bachmann did not knowingly market the model with DC turned off.  The instruction / CV list sent out in the box has setting for a LokSound 3.5.  The models were shipped with LokSound 4.0 chips.  Yes - answers on a Post Card.

 

If it was only a case, as Steve says, of turning CV29 = 6, I would not have sent the chip back to South West Digital.  I have in my mind that Bachmann arranged for new models to be reprogrammed.  I bought my model in 2016 by which time this offer had expired and I had to pay a handling charge to SWD.  As far as I am concerned it is a good model.

 

Cheers Ray

 

 

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I think that must be from the same era as my blue sound fitted 44 005 which I believe has the same 3.5/4.0 issue and is also DC disabled. I've not tried altering any of the values on that one, it's exactly as bought, from quite a few years back

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I think (might be wrong?) the D27 32-679DS model was released around 2011/12ish, so it’s getting on for 10 years old now. 
 

I wonder if there’s any other sound fitted models from the Bachmann range, at that time that have the same issue?

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