"Value Sound" 2-6-0 Running qualities

[SantaFe158]

I just picked up a Santa Fe 2-6-0 with the Value sound "soundtraxx" decoder in it and so far like it a lot.  I run plain old DC, but wanted a locomotive with chuffing sounds.  I'm currently using an MRC Railpower 1300 power pack that I've had for awhile.

According to the locomotive instructions, i should be able to slowly bring up the power, have the sounds and lights start up before increasing the power and starting it moving.  So far, until I have the knob about halfway open (when it starts moving), the headlight just pulses as well as a clicking sound and occasionally a partial bell sound coming from the speaker.  From what I understand, the bell should start ringing as power is brought up and the locomotive starts moving.  So far it just sits, then takes off at a certain point.  Once it's moving I can bring the throttle back some and slow it down to a more prototypical speed.  If I bring the throttle down too far, it will run for awhile, then stop with the same pulsing symptoms as when starting up from a low power.

Is that kind of operation normal for these (I know they're meant to be operated under DCC)?  I have one of the Pere Marquette DCC Berkshires as well and it runs as smooth as silk at all speeds with that power pack.  I'm on a limited budget right now and only want to pay for a different power arrangement if I absolutely have to.

Thanks in advance.

[richg]

Very normal.

The microprocessor on the decoder requires at least five volts to just wake up. The lights will come on and the sounds start up. Usually a couple volts more for the motor to start turning. Gearing resistance, weight of the loco, cogging of the motor keeps the armature from tuning at the same time as the other functions. Also the pulse power is not up to 12 volts yet.
The motor with a decoder always gets pulse power, not straight DC.
Generally, manufactures will not spell that out. NMRA knew there would be issues when they came up with that idea but they knew many would not want to dive into a full DCC controller because that is really moving into the digital age and require programing of the decoder which is another complete issue.

Rich

[SantaFe158]

Well I'm glad I don't have to send it back for repair already   

On that note, are there any conventional DC power packs that would work better with this locomotive without breaking the bank?  I'm mostly an O gauge guy, so I don't really have a desire to dive into DCC.  I just have a few HO pieces that aren't available in O gauge (at least in my price range)

[richg]

Frist of all, don't get a power pack that has pulse power. The decoder will not like it. Some packs do not have a switch to urn off the pules power option.
MRC makes some really good power packs. Ebay for used or maybe Amazon.com for new. Search Amazon for train power pack. They also sell the Bachmann power pack. The Bachmann shows up at shows with a layout run by their power pack and I have seen other show small layouts using the Bachmann pack. You should not requite much in the way of amps for one or two locos.
Amazon has free shipping over $25.00. My stepson and I buy a lot through Amazon. Never have to leave home and most of the time, very good prices with free shipping. They have a better search engine when looking for stuff compared to Google.

Rich

[SantaFe158]

OK, that's what I was thinking.  Is the standard Bachmann power pack and speed controller non pulsing?  I don't run a layout, just a loop of track on the floor occasionally when the desire arises.  My largest locomotive is the PM 1225 berkshire, and I don't run any lighted passenger cars, so my power requirements aren't very great.

I'm also looking at the MRC 1370 power pack.  I have the 1300 that came in a set I bought a few years ago, but I'm wondering if the 18V output vs 7V would help anything?

Thanks again.

[richg]

The Bachmann power pack does not have pulse power. Read the specs.
If the power pack has pulse power, the advertisement will tell you. Might have a different term.
A simple Google search for the make and model of the power pack will show you details about the power pack, especially under Google photos of the item.
Many model railroaders fail to appreciate the power of their PC in a Google search.
Some power packs with pulse power pick off low voltage AC from the transformer secondary, and use that to kick start the armature.
More expensive power packs will use some kind of solid state devices.
I had a MRC power pack some years ago that had a switch to turn off the pulse power.
More voltage is not so much an issue as the loco will fly off the track at 12 VDC.
Power packs usually have two sets of terminals. Two for variable DC to the rails. The two leads for the track will not show polarity as the polarity is reversed when you reverse the direction of the loco. That has confused users over the year. They expect to see plus and minus at the track terminals.
About 16 VAC for accessories on most power packs. The AC is not for the loco.

Rich

[Jerrys HO]

SanteFe

I'm on a limited budget right now and only want to pay for a different power arrangement if I absolutely have to.

Since you have a couple of DCC loco's, have you considered getting the EZ command system? You can usually pick them up for a little more than a Bachmann power pack on e-bay. Very easy to operate and have all the basic decoder sounds (horn, bells, whistles, chuff, steam blowoff).
Unless you have a lot of DC loco's it may be a good chance to learn the basics of DCC anlong with a good DCC book.

Jerry

[SantaFe158]

Thanks guys.

Three out of my 4 operating locomotives are DCC equipped, however I picked up an MRC 1370 at my LHS today and the locomotive is functioning as it should (aka, running beautifully).  I'm an O gauge guy not really looking to get heavily involved with HO, so running things the old fashioned way is fine by me.

[richg]

Thanks guys.

Three out of my 4 operating locomotives are DCC equipped, however I picked up an MRC 1370 at my LHS today and the locomotive is functioning as it should (aka, running beautifully).  I'm an O gauge guy not really looking to get heavily involved with HO, so running things the old fashioned way is fine by me.

That is a good power pack. If you get ambitious, you might consider a used EZ Command. If only one loco at a time, the MRC will be just fine.
The EZ Command can operate one non decoder loco but just don't let ii sit idle for very long.

Rich

[wjstix]

The bell shouldn't start ringing as you power up. On some decoders under DCC, doing a quick flick back and forth of the direction switch triggers the bell I believe. A couple of companies have DC add-on devices which allow you to access the features of a DCC sound decoder, like bell, whistle etc. by using pushbuttons like the function buttons on a DCC controller.

[SantaFe158]

The bell shouldn't start ringing as you power up. On some decoders under DCC, doing a quick flick back and forth of the direction switch triggers the bell I believe. A couple of companies have DC add-on devices which allow you to access the features of a DCC sound decoder, like bell, whistle etc. by using pushbuttons like the function buttons on a DCC controller.

That's the proper operation according to the directions included with the locomotive.

You slowly bring up the power, the sounds start up around 5 volts, as you keep going the bell rings and the locomotive whistles off and starts moving.  Once at a certain speed the bell shuts off.

And the opposite is also true.  When you slow to a certain speed the bell starts ringing.