Quote from: bapguy on March 12, 2013, 12:53:12 PM
Is there another way to consist with NCE? If so try the other one to see what happens.  Joe

Yes.  You can do a basic consist, which works like programming both locomotives to the same address.  When you do that (on my example where the decoders are not the same - non-bachmann locos), their speed stays synched up.  The downside is that you can only have one basic consist and you have to break it each time or you can't run another consist or just the lead locomotive.  With an advance consist, you can just put the lead loco on (if you don't want to run a consist) and it will run by itself.  You can also have multiple consists stored. 

Thanks for the information.  I am aware of how to adjust those two, but what has me stumped is that they perform almost identical when ran as separate loco's, but once they are connected through an Advanced Consist, they acceleration rate changes between the two (e.g. - Lead loco starts moving at speed step 1, but second consist -B-unit- doesn't start moving until 5 or 6).  Are you saying that once I set up the advance consist, to then go in and readjust the acceleration and/or momentum CV's? 

I have the Bachmann L&N FA and FA-B units, both with Soundvalue on board, using DCC with an NCE Power Cab.  When I run the units separately, they both have the almost identical acceleration rates and speed.  When I set them up using Advanced Consist, the B-unit suddenly has a lower acceleration rate; it still works as the difference isn't too great, but I worry about it pushing the A-unit and hurting that motor.  I have the same problem with a different brand of locomotive A/B units, but they have different brand decorders (digitrax for the B unit and SoundTraxx Tsunami for the A.  The acceleration problem is much more pronounced).  When I set up the other manufacturer's loco's as a basic consist, they synch up just fine.  I haven't tried setting up the Bachmann's as a basic consist yet. 

Is there a differenct acceleration CV that you need to adjust once the consist is set up?  That seems like more trouble than it's worth, if Advanced Consisting requires more adjustments just to have a bit more control, but it very well could be user error. 

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...

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.

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

Quote from: bapguy on June 18, 2012, 04:20:57 PM
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.   

Quote from: Jerrys HO on June 17, 2012, 10:27:18 PM
paco,

I am confused after reading your post again.

QuoteI 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.

Quote from: jward on June 17, 2012, 05:13:36 PM
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?

The instructions from the manaul are as follows: "After the track connections are complete, plug the Wall Pack Power Supply into a standard 110 volt wall outlet.  Plug the wire from the Wall Pack Power Supply into the socket on the E-Z Command controller labeled "16V AC IN".

I have been careful to do it in order each time.  That being said, it also states that there is an on/off switch on the underside of the E-Z Command Control.  Mine does not have that.  I would say either the manual or controller is out of date, so who knows.

Yes.  I have been careful not to do that and both the DCC locos that came with the set work great, both on DC and DCC.

Update:  Thought I would give another one a shot, so I went up to my LHS and bought Item no: 51804 ALCO 2-6-0 Steam Loco DCC Sound On Board.  Set it up with the E-Z Command and...no sound or motor, just 10 flashing lights. 

I will call Bachmann tomorrow as it appears to be the controller. 

On the plus side, these things work great with DC.  The sound is still very cool, you just can't control it.  It makes the experience even more engaging. 

Thanks all, for the help.

Will do.  Thanks for the information.  I will post results once I get ahold of them (I have to wait until tomorrow). 

Jerry -

Appreciate any help and ideas.

It is Item no: 64704 "HO" ALCO FA2 Diesel Loco L&N.  DCC Sound On Board.  It states on the side that it is for use with all NMRA/NEM-Compliant DCC systems.

As posted previously, I've read that the E-Z Command delivers more voltage than it should to the track.  The DCC Sound On Board DCC locos have a cutoff at 21 volts that shuts down the sound and motor, then flashes the lights in error code.  I don't think regular, non-sound DCC locos have that (but am not sure).  I don't know how to test with a voltmeter, to see what it is putting to the tracks, nor do I know what it normal. 

The loco works great on the DC system.  Sound, lights, and all.  I don't know if that controller sends a lower voltage as the power pack and wires are the same as the DCC system. 

I am using the E-Z Command Controller with the included power pack, model: AC1601000.  It's all the same stuff that came with the Digital Commander set, nothing fancy.  All the track is Bachmann nickel (what came with the set) and there aren't any remote turnouts or anything fancy installed. 

The loco still runs great on the regular DC controller, but when I switch to DCC I get the 10 flashing lights.  I tried the power pack that came with the DC set (same model number) with the same results, so it's seems to be either in the controller box, or the the loco.  What makes me think it might be the controller is that the loco is flashing the error message I listed in an earlier post, indicating too much voltage. It is sending the error code correctly, so I don't think the decoder is bad.