E-Z Command Voltage and ALCO FA2 Diesel with Sound On Board Not Working

[paco62]

this almost sound like a current draw issue. sound equipped locomotives draw alot more current than non-sound ones do.

How could that be remedied?

[jward]

i don't know if adding a booster would help. if i read things right, ez command is only rated for one amp? somebody correct me if i'm wrong. a booster would give you probably 5 amps to work with, more than enough to power a couple of sound equipped locomotives. either that or replace the ez command with a dynamis or other, more robust dcc system. if you do elect to get a booster, you'd want to make sure you use it to power all of your track. many people use them to just power parts of it, and let the command station power the rest. if yours is being overpowered, it would be better to route everything through the booster.

there are others on here much more conversant in dcc than i am. perhaps one of them could weigh in on the use of a booster?

[Jerrys HO]

paco,

I am confused after reading your post again.

I tried the power pack that came with the DC set (same model number) with the same results

The EZ Command controller is not the same as a DC controller.
.
EZ Command - http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=1453
DC controller - http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=209

Jerry

[bapguy]

 Do you have a volt meter? If so can you measure the out put of the plug on the power supply? Or check the power at the rails with no locos on it. If the power is over the limit of the decoder, I suspect the power supply is bad.  Joe. 

[paco62]

paco,

I am confused after reading your post again.

I tried the power pack that came with the DC set (same model number) with the same results

The EZ Command controller is not the same as a DC controller.
.
EZ Command - http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=1453
DC controller - http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=209

Jerry

I may have confused you.  I was referring to the wall power pack.  Both controller use the same model wall power pack.  Bachmann is sending me a new E-Z Command Controller.

[paco62]

Do you have a volt meter? If so can you measure the out put of the plug on the power supply? Or check the power at the rails with no locos on it. If the power is over the limit of the decoder, I suspect the power supply is bad.  Joe. 

Thanks for the info.  Not sure how to do that.  I will search the posts for how to check using a volt meter.  I am a bit of a noob there, too.   

[richg]

A multimeter that does everything you want for model railroading. I have three for some years. The meter shows about 13.7 VAC on the rails with one sound loco using my NCE Power Cab DCC system which is good enough. It can be used for DC voltage, DC current and resistance. Fellows in our local club use them also.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-multimeter-98025.html

There might even be a Harbor Freight near you.

I have a bunch of the below clip leads which help a lot. Just don't let the metal clips touch one anotherr.

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-inch-low-voltage-multi-colored-test-leads-66717.html

Rich

[paco62]

Thanks for the info.  Put a lead on each rail?

[richg]

Thanks for the info.  Put a lead on each rail?

For DCC, use the AC scale and put a probe on each rail. To my knowledge, all this type of digital meter are quite close in readings is why use the same type. They compare very close to my expensive meter and digital Scope. The cheap meters with the pointer that moves, I do not use anymore. Mechanical abuse affects the meter movement.
If you wonder, the meters come with instructions.
Guess how much to replace this meter if you break it?
Compare to an expensive meter?
You can also measure the DC voltage where it connects to the DCC controller and get a pretty good idea of what the DCC voltage is. You will learn this in time as you gain more DCC knowledge.

Rich

[paco62]

richg,

Thanks for the reply and information.  I will check it out and post results.  Bachmann is sending a new controller, but it will be a good learning.  I have used voltmeters before, but it's few and far between.  Sounds like I will need to get the manual out and begin practicing as I learn more about trains and DCC.  Thanks again.

[paco62]

UPDATE - New controller arrived today and...works like a champ.  All functions on all loco's work great.  This one has the on/off switch on the back of it, so I don't quite know if there are two different models floating about or what.  Either way, thanks to Bachmann for taking care of this situation with very little effort on my part.  They really stand by their products and while getting defective equipment is never very fun, they made the experience pretty painless and rectified the situation immediately. 

Thanks to everyone who posted tips and ideas on the thread.  I have learned a lot and appreciate the help and patience.  Now, I am off to make choo choo sounds on command.  Sweeeeet...