Spectrum J Class

[munro747]

Hi. Bought a Spectrum N&W J from FavotiteSpot. Got it out of the box and it made all the noises but would not drive itself. Spent $50(Aust) to send it back (to Bachmann) for repair. Received the loco with report that it was ok and runs well. Put it on my test track and it was exactly the same as when I sent it, in that it again made all the noises but would not drive itself. Not wanting to outlay another $50 I decided to investigate the problem. I have found that the motion gear runs free without the motor installed and the motor runs free out of the frame. The axle gear does not slip on the Drive Axle and the pinion is secure on the motor shaft. When in the assembled state the motor has very little power, to the point that at full load againt a resistance the loco will not even slip the drivers. Two questions; 1/ Do you have any suggestions ie; faulty motor? 2/ Can I buy a complete new motor/drive gear/flywheel assembly to replace the one currently installed? The loco is Sound Equiped and record of the warranty repair will be with Bachmann. My adress is Kilmore East Austraqlia 3764. I would like to get this loco operational and end the dissapointment of a bad buy.
Thanks
Steve
PS Bachmann reimbursed me with rollingstock to the value of $50 Aust.

[ABC]

It may be some sort of incompatibility on part of your transformer/controller and an American locomotive. You can buy replacement parts, but if you are going to do that you may as well send your loco back in because it would cost almost as much for the replacement parts with shipping.

[munro747]

It may be some sort of incompatibility on part of your transformer/controller and an American locomotive. You can buy replacement parts, but if you are going to do that you may as well send your loco back in because it would cost almost as much for the replacement parts with shipping.

Thanks for your reply. I,m sure that,s not the case as I own 104 locos, a number of spectrums too, and they all operate fine on my Digitrax managed system. I would like to establish a set course to fix this problem. As I said, I have sent this loco back once and been advised there was no problem.  What guarantee do I have that the same thing wont happen? I don't want to outlay another $50 for postage, and I am not interested in another lot of rollingstock to the value. Can I request another loco to replace this one and be sure that will happen? Can I be provided another motor assembly in exchange for this one? I don,t really want to have endless discussion on the problem. I merely want to have repaired what I payed for without further outlay. Can my request be referred to someone higher in the management team for consideration? I am a long way away with a loco I payed for and it does not operate. How do I get an effective outcome without further expense?

[ABC]

Call [Exit Code]-1-215-533-1600 to speak to the Bachmann Parts and Service Department.
Well replacement parts are not free, no matter who you are you have to pay for replacement parts whether your loco is 1 month old or 20 years old. But, since your loco is under warranty, you can send it in for only the cost of postage one way, unfortunately for you postage from Australia to the U.S. can be a bit dear. I would send it in with a letter clearly describing your problem and telling them how you expect the loco should perform, and asking if it would be possible to get a replacement and hope for the best.

[bobwrgt]

I have contacted Bachmann service by phone and by fax several times and received replacement parts under warranty At no charge. Just send a note as to what you need with a copy of sales receipt.
I have found there service to be of the best.
The problem here is to determine what part is causing your problem.
If this has a  decoder in it try resetting to the factory settings. Sounds like you have a decored problem if the motor runs OK with current directly connected.

Bob

[r0bert]

the default settings on the tsunami decoder are all out of whack for the J.
the BEMF, torque control and load comensation all need to be set up before the loco will operate properly.
here are the settings I used for all CV's which you can use as starting point.
  CV = VALUE
    
1=3   43=1   83=155   141=64
2=0   44=4   84=164   142=64
3=10   45=128   85=173   143=0
4=10   46=16   86=182   145=0
7=80   47=0   87=191   146=96
8=141   49=1   88=200   147=0
10=255   50=1   89=209   177=25
11=0   51=1   90=219   178=50
12=1   52=2   91=228   179=10
13=0   59=3   92=237   180=10
14=3   60=4   93=246   181=255
16=0   61=0   94=255   182=255
17=194   62=0   95=128   183=255
18=94   63=20   105=0   184=255
19=0   64=160   106=4   185=42
21=0   66=128   112=0   186=64
22=0   67=9   113=0   187=255
23=0   68=18   114=4   188=102
24=0   69=27   115=0   193=15
25=3   70=36   116=90   194=28
29=6   71=45   128=255   195=4
30=4   72=55   129=255   196=3
33=17   73=64   130=92   197=31
34=18   74=73   131=90   198=31
35=8   75=82=   132=48   209=255
36=4   76=91   133=32   210=255
37=16   77=100   134=16   212=255
38=32   78=109   135=32   213=20
39=0   79=118   136=128   214=10
40=0   80=127   137=128   
41=16   81=137   139=128   
42=128   82=146   140=64   

[Doneldon]

All-

With all due respect, rObert, the decoder settings would have been the same when Bachmann tested the J and also the same when they returned it to munro, even if Bachmann changed some. 

ABC-

I'm not so sure this is about parts as the whole thing has a ring of mystery to it.  Why should this work on Bachmann's test bench but not on munro's layout?  Let's face it, it's not like things really run backwards down under, well, except for drains and flushing toilets, anyway.

munro-

Perhaps another course of action is to return the loco to Favorite Spot for a replacement.

                                                                                    -- D

[ABC]

Perhaps another course of action is to return the loco to Favorite Spot for a replacement.

That is not really an option, here is their policy: "Warranties for repair, replacement and service are issued by and are the responsibility of the manufacturer.  Please contact the manufacturer for any warranty issues. We do not test brand new items before sending them." And they go on to say, " If you purchased an item from us and you want to return it please request written permission and the proper address for the return prior to sending it back.  If an item is returned a refund will be sent but it will not cover the cost of any shipping or handling charges." Shipping and handling charges for Priority Mail to Australia for an 0-6-0 is over $30, so he would still be out over $30 is he wanted to return it, I think there is also an option for First Class Mail for about $15-20 depending on the item, I am not sure if he had that option or if the loco was too heavy/big or if it was just not available.

[r0bert]

Service tech very likely tested loco on it's back in a cradle with power leads attached to the tender, just as i would when working at the work bench, and with no load on motor or drivers, it tested fine.
I have worked with over a dozen of these for both myself and customers at the shop, and they ranged from not able to move at all to stalling climbing over a x-acto handle slipped under a 3ft piece of flextrack.  every one operated great after cv's were set. That's also why this is the only loco that I have a printout of all the CV settings for this loco, both in printed form, and as a txt file on my computer available.
the problem lies in that the decoder has what amounts to an electronic trasmission in it, and the default setting are the same for all their decoders,
and it's like putting a VW bug tranny in a semi tractor, the gear ratios are all way off.
the cv settings I provided have all the problem settings turned off as a starting point, then with the loco actually able to function,
the BEMF,  torque, and load comp can be dialed in for the loco, if you want to fine tune it.
the tuff part is each one has up to three cv's to control the feature, and adjusting one effects the setting on the others.
that's where the manual comes in handy.

[munro747]

Robert, you have got your facts right! I set the CV's according to your list and we have an operational loco. The only CV I couldn't set is CV1 as the Digitrax DT400 Throttle will not recognise CV1. Would the incorrect value of CV1 produce the automatic sounding of the whistle and bell upon initial movement of the throttle/loco. It,s almost like the response you would expect in DC operation, and I must admit I would like to eliminate this arrangement. Your info has been great and I thank you!! Any ideas or suggestions to rectify the whistle/bell bit would be good, but at least now it is easily moving my six car set.
Steve

[r0bert]

CV 1 is your 2 digit address, when your DT400 display shows AD2=000, that's CV1.
yes you can turn off the auto bell whistle
cv 197 controls those sounds when running on analog power
cv 198 controls those sounds in DCC mode
different values allow controlling whether each sound is automatic,
setting to zero turns all auto sound off

[munro747]

Robert.
All set up now and running fine. Your help has been very much appreciated!! Let me know when your'e visiting Aus; I'll shout you a good beer.
Steve

[r0bert]

I would love to spend a year or so on holiday in Australia, maybe in my retirement years.
If only I could get shipped there for $50!!!