edcayton Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 I bought a Bachmann 3F yesterday. The only way to get a weathered one was to get a DCC fitted one, I was told this would run fine on DC but it doesn't. As it slows to a crawl the running becomes jerky. I've had it running in for a couple of hours now and it hasn't improved. Do I need to remove the DCC chip and fit what I presume is tthe blanking plate that is in the box? This is the first DCC fitted loco I have had, although I have been told before that there should be no problem. Contoller is a standard Bachmann train set one that is fine for other loco's. Thanks Ed Should this be in the DCC forum? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amdaley Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 I think you should return it to where you bought it from. It sounds like something is tight or sticking or it may be a quartering problem. There should normally be no problem in running a dcc fitted loco on DC. If you can't return it, you might know of someone with a Dcc system who might be able to reset the chip for you. You can of course replace the chip with a blanking plate but if the problem is a tight area or quartering problem removing the Dcc chip won't fix it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 But on the other hand, it's a quick check to unplug the decoder and install the blanking plate and see what the running of the chassis is like with the decoder out of circuit, to determine whether the problem is thus eliminated. that's what I would do, being incurably curious and all... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim49 Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Ed, is your 3F the Jinty tank or the 0-6-0 tender loco? I can't help you with the Jinty but I have found that the tender version needs the middle set of drivers to be absolutely spotless for reliable slow running. The front & rear sets appear to be picking up power from the track OK but as soon as there is any dirt on the middle drivers it coughs and splutters at low speed. I don't know what the permanent solution is but it might help you to eliminate the DCC aspect from the problem. Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted April 15, 2013 Author Share Posted April 15, 2013 Jim, it's the tender loco. It only came out of the box yesterday. On reflection I would change the "erratic" description-it's more like a fine stepper motor. Thanks for replies so far guys Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim49 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Ed, have you had any joy sorting out your loco yet? Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share Posted May 1, 2013 no, I had a heart attack instead! I,ve been in hospital two weeks. I,m typing this on my new iPad mini that my son has just bought me. Funny how priorities change. Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim49 Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Sorry to hear that Ed. Take care care of yourself. The interrogation about the 3F can wait for another day. Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Sidelines Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 But on the other hand, it's a quick check to unplug the decoder and install the blanking plate and see what the running of the chassis is like with the decoder out of circuit, to determine whether the problem is thus eliminated. that's what I would do, being incurably curious and all... I would second this comment. As a rule I remove all DCC chips and substitute blanking plates for my analogue layout. The Blue Pullman was a case in point where I had to try running it first - it was appallingly slow with the chips fitted. It is also very true that Bachmann locomotives require 'running in' and there can be quite dramtic improvements in running quality after half an hour - sometimes less. Sometimes locomotives run very well straight out of the box, sometimes not. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason. Hope you are feeling better, take care Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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