Spectrum 2-10-2 question

[Richy_jay_8114]

Good day, I have a question regarding an interesting issue I have where my spectrum 2-10-2 only operates in reverse on DC and that is if it starts moving at all. Has anyone else had this issue or know how to fix it?

[trainman203]

Test the engine on another layout.  Your power pack could be at fault .  And report back what you find.

[Richy_jay_8114]

Test the engine on another layout.  Your power pack could be at fault .  And report back what you find.

I tried it, it seems to be the engine. I tried with three different power packs, 2 dc, and a bachmann dcc controller

[trainman203]

It's a DCC locomotive then, right?

[Richy_jay_8114]

Yes but should also be able to run on dc according to bachmann.

[the Bach-man]

Dear Richy,
It should run on DC.
Contact the service department for answers.
Thanks!
the Bach-man

[Richy_jay_8114]

Dear Richy,
It should run on DC.
Contact the service department for answers.
Thanks!
the Bach-man

it does, but only in reverse

[Terry Toenges]

Maybe this will help.
I had a problem when I was switching controllers around only mine would not go in reverse, only forward. It ended up being the power pack.
It happened when I tried to use the E-Z Command power pack with a DC controller for a DC loco.
The problem was that the E-Z Command power pack puts out DC voltage while a DC power pack puts out AC voltage.
This is the whole thread here.
https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,38434.15.html

[trainman203]

Running a DCC locomotive on DC is possible, but really not the best way to operate.  Like going cross country on a tricycle. Or getting off a two story roof by jumping. You can do get it done, but there are far better ways.

There are so many advantages to
DCC operation.  Aside from expense, which is a real issue and I'm not belittling it, I've never understood why people hold onto DC forever but buy DCC locomotives and try to get them to run on a DC layout.  It's literally forcing a square peg into a round hole, it was never really truly meant to be.

if your locomotive is a DCC locomotive, you need to try it out on a DCC layout to see for once and for all if the problem is your DC power source.

[Searsport]

One reason people buy DCC locomotives when they run DC layouts is manufacturers only issuing a certain loco in DCC or DCC+Sound options, but not in plain DC. Try finding a DC BLI steam loco. I got a pair of supposedly dual mode BLI PRR H10s 2-8-0s, one with the "West" tender and one with the "East" tender, as they are about the shortest 2-8-0 available, due to their short tenders, and they both run in fits and starts on DC, and often not at all. That is why I like it when Bachmann offer a loco in plain DC, DCC-Ready. I just yesterday ordered the ACL Pacific and SAL Mikado which both come DC, DCC-Ready. But even Bachmann have a bad habit of offering a model as DCC ready for some roads and DCC on-board for others, so it is pure chance whether you can get the engine you want in the format you want. I was lucky!
Bill.