Hornby DCC Controller-Bachmann HO 64303 F7A Diesel Loco.

[glennko]

Just a bit of basic info. I have a basic DCC layout using a Hornby basic entry level Hornby DCC select controller as I' m restricted by room and money. I run British as well as American models on my layout just to have an interest in the hobby, now to the problem. I recently purchased a Bachmann Part No 64303 HO model diesel loco with DCC sound value on board from a US hobby store by mail and was going to use on my layout. I was stopped abruptly when checking out items on E-Bay and came across a couple of E-Bay shops here in Australia advertising  the same loco for sale but what caught my eye was the warning stating that Bachmann would not honour any warranty claims if this loco is used with Hornby DCC. I came to the conclusion very quickly that Hornby DCC must be causing problems with Bachmann sound value DCC loco' s, I was under the impression that Hornby DCC was NMRA compliant.
My question is can any body advise me of what the problem is with Bachmann' s sound value loco' s and Hornby DCC and the Bachmann warranty information.

[ACY]

The Hornby Select is one of the few DCC systems that actually is not NMRA compliant. Hornby DCC systems in general work best with Hornby decoders, as Hornby uses some proprietary technology that NMRA compliant systems and decoders do not utilize it is similar to how MTH has their own proprietary command system DCS but their locomotives have limited DCC functionality.
All of Bachmann's decoders that they have used in any of their locomotives or sold for separate sale have been NMRA compliant including TCS , Tsunami, Lenz, et al.

[plas man]

my system use Hornby Elite and Select walk around for control , and I run Bachmann DCC an Sound fitted locos in N scale with no problems . although the Hornby system may not be able to alter some makers CV's .
for instance if running multi loco's , say Bachmann FA units and you want the rear loco to run backwards the Hornby control wont let you - so I set the forward/reverse using a Bachmann EZ DCC  , also you may have fun with MRC decoders CV's.   

[jward]

plas man,

Let me get this straight. you use TWO DCC systems to do what one decent one would? How much money did you save? For what you spent on those two you could have gotten something that would do all that and more, and have money left over for decoders.

[glennko]

Hi,
    In response to you guys that posted reply' s to my query about the DCC Select I would like to say how much I appreciate your input as it gives me a better understanding of the complex workings of DCC.
To ACY: You seem to have sound understanding of DCC and as a matter of interest on reading articles on Hornby forum the Select is causing problems in the UK with Bachmann British loco's and some guys are replacing the Bachmann decoders with Hornby to overcome the problem with the Select, a backward move.
To Plas Man: I say you have the problem solved and the only way the Select can be used is with the Elite as a slave controller and that is about al it is good for, all programming to done on the Elite.
To Jward: Mate, I do not have two DCC systems as I only have the DCC Hornby Select and I have American and British DCC loco' s nothing too serious just to keep my interest in DCC. You are right in saying you would not buy two systems when you could buy an up market system for the price of the two. My problem is that in all fairness to wife and we being on pension you just can' t throw money around at your hobby as you have to make the dollar stretch as far as possible so you have to compromise. To give an idea of the cost for the Hornby Elite from the UK is about $360.00AUD, to buy in Australia is well over $400.00AUD. but at the end of the day it looks like this is the only way too solve the problem.
Once again dear Sir's I thank you all for your imput.