There are several videos of 'Scenic Ridge' owners running all kinds of Locomotives on this layout.  The 0-6-0 and 2-6-2 are basically the same mechanism.  And the one I have run OK.  They are the a precision machine like the 2-8-0 and 4-8-2 are. This is also why there price difference.  The Bachmann 2-8-0 I own run just fine on the 9 3/4" curves.  Also the 'Scenic Ridge' has grades, so you will need strong pullers.  0-6-0 and 2-6-2 gave pulling issues on the grades on my layout. 2-8-0 does pretty good job pulling trains up my grade. May two main fright haulers are my Bachmann 2-8-0 and 4-8-2. It is also match easier to add DCC to these locos or get them with DCC installed. 



   

Did it come with a speaker installed?   If the Decoder is in the tender then it maybe a standard Steam loco installation.  But if the decoder is in the boiler area them a profession tech will be the best option to have a sound decoder installed.

I have not installed a decoder into a Bachmann HO 0-6-0 any version.  Now I have installed decoders into the Bachmann N scale 0-6-0s. 

The way you are describing the issue it sounds like it is internal to that locomotive. Since your DCC system are not detecting a short.

Have you completely disconnect the DC power pack and checked each block shorting them with a quarter to making sure the DCC booster detects the short?  Check all three sides of the turnout.

Also because you are switching between DC and DCC make sure you are switch both Rail A and Rail B between them with a DPDT switch. Not using something like a Atlas 220 controller with DC on Cab A and DCC on Cab B. This does not stop the DC power packs common from ground to the DCC Command station/Booster. And will damage the DCC Command station/Booster.

If you installed the decoder in that locomotive, I would just double check the installation.


 

 

   

Just curious, has anyone tried Citadel plastic glue?

I do not think you can export the decoder settings to a file with the Blunami app.   I will test this.  But the Blunami app only works for Blunami decoders.  Unlike JMRI what works with almost all decoders.

Blunami's are great decoders and I believe they are the future of locomotive control.  I just wish manufactures would start to factory install them.  Hint Hint. 

I have been using Flex-I-File's Plast-I-Weld.  It's close Tenax 7r in performance.   

Bachmann,

         Are there any plans to work with TCS to create Bachmann WOW decoder definition files for JMRI DecoderPro?

Thank you.

Quote from: jward on October 28, 2024, 11:16:59 AMI keep a notebook with those same settings written down for each locomotive.

I was doing that at first, them my notebook ran out of pages!   

It's those darn sound decoders with all those features.

I think the main reason I use JMRI is because I do not like looking up CV values in a booklet and try to figure out what value that CV needs to be.  I just like have the ability to change my bell volume on the main line by sliding a volume slider with my mouse.   

I find it much easier to use a PR4 connected to an EZ track terminal track with an additional straight attached. The PR4 connects to my PC via USB.  And I use JMRI.  JMRI is freeware and has a decoder programing tool "Decoder Pro".  You can read all the current decoder CV values. What is nice is you can save your decoder CV values to a file (Backup you decoder). And restore the values is something goes wrong.   

I never linked how Locos with DCC run on DC. Plus you need DCC to configure the decoder for optimal performance on DC.   

Server years ago around when when DCC first came out I started collection N scale and built an N sale layout.  Install a few decoders was not real happy with the Gen1 to Gen3 decoders.  So I removed them all and went DC. 

But a few years back when Gen5 and 6 decoders came along with improved motor control I install the latest decoders in my locos and never looked back.  But I have around 20ish N scale locos.   

Things to think about:
If you plain to stay with DC for now you may want to remove a motor only decoder, if one is installed and if it can be.

And it was not an issue until recently but the latest N scale locos are catching up with HO on DCC features. So having the ability to access most of the Functions will be nice.


   

Yes you can.  But do not us them for automatic calibration on a WOW decoder or Calibrating Dynamic Digital Exhaust on a TSU-2 or Blunami. They will not calibrate correctly on the rollers.  Also using them to set the chuff rate does not always work on the good steam loco decoders. This all has to do with the resistance deference between running on rails vs rollers. 

I only used them when I am testing locos, test new decoders and decoders that I you can load your own sound files into (I gave up on these, Chuff cadence issues and sound sample issues).
 
I also used them for the no longer available Horndy OO live steam locos.

I try not to for a few reasons, 

The circuit board has the needed LED resisters on the board.  Without the board you will need to add resisters for each LED. (unless you replace it with WOW Motherboard or Decoder Buddy).

easier to replace the decoder if needed. When using the factor circuit board on the new Bachmann locos I have only had to solder the speaker wires for a sound decoder when using the NMRA 8 pin to JST 9 pin harness.  This is 90% of may Bachmann steam installs. 

Now on the older circuit boards you need to remove or disconnect one leg off the motor capacitor/s for some brands on decoders. I had to do this on all my older Spectrum also note most of these had incandescent bulbs which do not need resisters. 

a great resource for install decoders in Bachamann locos is TCS's decoder install pages on there Website. Look at the HO-Scale installations.  The WOW installations covers install WOW Motherboards.

Another note is space issues. I have not had this issue with most of newer Bachmann's but some of the old Spectrum are limited on space. This has to do with the older tenders having a plastic deck with flat weights in them.  most of the newer Spectrums have metal tender decks or have the weights moved to make room for a speaker.

On the subject of "Keep Alive" All my Bachmann's have good pickups, So they real do not need Keep alives but I have a couple of non Bachmann locos that need them do to a poor pickups.
   

All of my #4s have nail polish on them just for my Bachmann 2-10-0s.    In a punch when I could not find the clear nail polish I have used Strormshield or Ardcoat.

Last week I upgraded my Bachmann USRA 4-6-2 Sound Value using the TSU-BH2.  It was straight forward replacement. My USRA 4-6-2 has because my primary passenger loco.  It just did not sound right going up and down the grades without DDE. Most of my other locos have DDE or True Scale Sound.

I then replaced the DCC ready board with the Sound Value board in one of the latest 2-8-0 runs with the speaker mount and LED lights. This was almost a straight replacement also. Add to extend two wires a bit.

There is an addtional unused wire on the USRA 4-6-2 in the loco to tender harness.  Trying figure out what to use this for, Firebox flicker, Cab light..  It would be used for turning on and off the smoke unit if equipped. 

For most of may Bachmann Steam locos I just use a 9pin JST to 8 pin NMRA harness. Most sound decoders have the 9 pin plug version available. And with using the built in circuit board I do not have to worry about added resisters for LEDs.

Depending on which Steam loco you have. The install could go from Easy to challenging.  If it one of the new Bachmanns with the speaker mount. You should only have to solder the speaker wires to the speaker.  I have installed sound decoders in all my Bachmann steam locos.

Some tenders are extremely tight inside other have plenty of room.  It depending on which loco you are installing into.  If it is one with a speaker mount you want to use the speaker gasket they offer. It has tape on both sides of the gasket. Or you can hot glue the speaker into place. But you want a go seal between the speaker and mount for the best sound.   

I have not install a sound decoder into a Bachmann diesel. There may be enough room to use the harness decoder setup.  But if it was me I would replaced the circuit board with the replacement sound decoder board. Also need to measure to see what size speaker fits the speaker mount. And it would give my 8FX leads for adding lights. 

When selection a sound decoder there is feature discrepancy with decoders in the same price range. One would think all $110 decoders would offer the same level of features...not so. If your layout has grades or you do like pressing an F button to lock you current throttle speed to use throttle knob to simulate load changes.  Make sure you go with a decoder with "DDE" or "Proto Notch/True Scale Sound".

Now with non sound decoders there should not be an issue with fitting the decoder and 9 to 8 pin harness and no soldering.