built in Decoder info sought.

[kmcsjr]

I have a number of Bmann DCC equipped locos. I just bought DCC. (NCE powercab) So far they seem to have mfr 101 ver 046 decoders.
I have a few questiions
1) Is 101/046 always the built in decoder?
2) Is there a listing of default conditions for the various locos. posted anywhere?
The uberfolded sheets (it's good when the thing I like least about a loco, is how the paperwork is folded, you've come a long way bmann!) suppled with the locos aren't clear andconcise, or I'm not reading them right!
3) Some run quiet and smoooooth as silk, like my 4-6-0. My  2010 version2-6-6-2 seems noisier with dcc than dc. Some have suggested, I change the decder to a "better" decoder and that will improve performance. Has anyone found an across the board decoder that that they like better? Or for now, what do you like in the 2-6-6-2? I bought the 2-6-6-2 new, but more than a year ago, so even if the decoder is just bad and it should run smooth and quiet, it is out of warranty, so I will just change the decoder.
4) Before I buy a 2-10-2, is it smooth and quiet, or will I end up changing the decoder?
5) The decoder paperwork says they are 28 step, but I seem to have 128 step control. Being new, am I just doing it wrong? Is the paperwork wrong?

[skipgear]

I have a number of Bmann DCC equipped locos. I just bought DCC. (NCE powercab) So far they seem to have mfr 101 ver 046 decoders.
I have a few questiions
1) Is 101/046 always the built in decoder?
2) Is there a listing of default conditions for the various locos. posted anywhere?
The uberfolded sheets (it's good when the thing I like least about a loco, is how the paperwork is folded, you've come a long way bmann!) suppled with the locos aren't clear andconcise, or I'm not reading them right!
3) Some run quiet and smoooooth as silk, like my 4-6-0. My  2010 version2-6-6-2 seems noisier with dcc than dc. Some have suggested, I change the decder to a "better" decoder and that will improve performance. Has anyone found an across the board decoder that that they like better? Or for now, what do you like in the 2-6-6-2? I bought the 2-6-6-2 new, but more than a year ago, so even if the decoder is just bad and it should run smooth and quiet, it is out of warranty, so I will just change the decoder.
4) Before I buy a 2-10-2, is it smooth and quiet, or will I end up changing the decoder?
5) The decoder paperwork says they are 28 step, but I seem to have 128 step control. Being new, am I just doing it wrong? Is the paperwork wrong?

1 - The decoders are home built OEM decoders base on older Lenz chips.
2 - They have very basic options, 2-4 digit addressing, Vmin, Accel and Decel rate, and some headlight functions. Nothing more. All are standard NMRA settings.
3 - Smooth or noisy has nothing to do with the decoders as they are all based on the same chipset.
4 - My 2-10-2 runs like a champ.
5 - They all run at 128 speed step nicely.

I have not yet seen a need to replace any off these decoders (except my 4-6-0 because I swapped to a smaller tender). The first thing I do is set Vmin (CV3) =0. That takes the jackrabbit start out of some of them. They all come factory set to something like 8 or 10. Othern than that, I run them. Haven't had a failure yet and my 2-10-2 has been put through quite a strain, something like 40 MT troop sleepers and military flats for hours at a time on Ntrak displays.

[seadowns]

Hi!

I own a bunch of different Bachmann locos with this factory decoders inside and I'm so far satisfied with them except the sometime buzzing noise at slow speeds owed to the fact the decoder run with with low frequency.
Tony, you are surely talking of CV2 and not 3, right!
I usually put the loco on the track, set the cab on speed step 1 and set CV2 to 0 and then go up step by step until the engine starts creeping-----that was it!

Regards
Mathi

[skipgear]

Yup, sorry CV2. Posting when tired does that to you.