70 Tonner Noise

[trainstamp]

My new 70 Tonner is a real noise box. From what I have heard, they are all that way. Has anyone figured out how to quiet them down?

[adari]

Install a new decoder but before you do that send them to bachmann.

[trainstamp]

How would a new decoder get rid of the noise? The decoder is working OK.

[Joe323]

I think what Adari means is install a better decorder perhaps one of those silent running type (Although personally I like the noise).  The Bachmann Decorder that comes with engine is entry level and entry level decorders make noise. 

[adari]

Actually it is a lenz decoder and there is a reason Lenz is the smallest decoder manufacturer.

[richg]

On board decoders have low frequency characteristics and cause the armature to vibrate and at frequency we can hear quite well. The newer decoders nave high frequency characteristics which essentially make them "silent".
I would suggest the Digitrax DZ125. This may require complete removal of the present decoder though and the LED's are mountd on the PC board.
I have used the DZ125 decoder in a Spectrum 44 ton.

http://www.digitrax.com/prd_mobdec_dz125.php

I just looked at photos of my 70 ton I took and I had to remove the decoder board when I put a sound decoder inside. Mine did not have a 8 pin plug and I needed the room anyway.
Maybe yours is a bad gear. Maybe send it back for a replacement.

RIch

[jettrainfan]

must be a different one than bachmann, mine is pretty quite unless its slipping and doing full throttle.

[trainstamp]

Thanks to all that replied. Rich, your explanation about replacing the OEM decoder with a better one makes sense to me now. Just to prove the point, suppose I disconnected the decoder and wired it up to run on straight DC. Wouldn't this prove whether or not the decoder is causing the mechanism to give off so much noise? If the noise level drops substantially, I can then invest in a better "silent run" type of decoder.

[richg]

Thanks to all that replied. Rich, your explanation about replacing the OEM decoder with a better one makes sense to me now. Just to prove the point, suppose I disconnected the decoder and wired it up to run on straight DC. Wouldn't this prove whether or not the decoder is causing the mechanism to give off so much noise? If the noise level drops substantially, I can then invest in a better "silent run" type of decoder.

That will work. Just remember, only the right and left pickup wires to the motor contacts. The two wires that now connect the decoder to the motor have to be completely disconnected.

Rich