I have bought a loco on E-Bay which was advertised as "DCC ready", and have been informed by the seller that has been chipped. Will this loco work on my DC layout, or will I need to remove the chip? If I do need to remove the chip, how hard is it to do? Thanks Tony
Hi Tony. A DCC fitted loco will run on DC powered track if the chip has been set up correctly. If how ever it does not run then it should be a straight forward process to simply remove either the tender body or the loco body ( the instruction sheet will tell you where the DCC plug is) once you have located the chip unplug it from the socket. You will need a plug which the previous owner may well have left in the box. If not then your local train shop will have some available. Put the plug in and the body back on and away you go. Kim
Hi Tony, Rumour goes that you need to alter CV 29 on the chip to allow it to operate on DC. I have not tried it myself and personally, if you intend to go DCC, I'd wait. Maybe somebody that has tried this could come on and confirm or otherwise the merits of trying it. If you are going to try changing the CV 29 setting, you will need access to a DCC controller and a programme track. I'm assuming you don't have that. In which case, speak nicely to any of your friends who have DCC and get them to alter the chip setting for you. As far as removing the chip goes, ........ What kind of loco is it. I have chipped many loco's and generally most are quite straight forward. If you remove the DCC chip, you will need to install a factory DC chip to get it to run on DC. This, if you are lucky may still be in the box. If not, I'm sure someone will have a spare kicking about. If you let me know the make and model of the loco, I may be able to give you the DC chip if you need it. Let me know the kind of loco in the first instance and we'll see what we can do for you. Cheers Toto
Most, if not all, chips allow the loco to run on DC unless the owner themselves altered CV29 to stop this ability.
Note: some older DC locomotives run better on DC when they have a decoder installed ( for ref. Deducting 4 from the cv29 value will stop the loco running on DC)
Thanks chaps, I don't have any details of the chip as yet as the loco is still en route. I was worried that I might damage it by running on DC but from what you've said that won't be an issue. Regards Tony
Hi Tony If you tell us which loco it is, we will be able to tell you the type of socket that was fitted to the loco, and then if required the DC blanking plug that will be required if its not included in the box. Unless of course this is the excuse to start the migration to DCC We never said all the advice would be helpful or wanted Paul
Hi Paul, It is a Bachmann 32 113z BR class 08. No, DCC isn't on the radar at the moment, I'm having to pass all purchases through the finance director due to an huge overspend on guitar related purchases (all strictly necessary for the functioning of the Davis household obviously). Seriously though I am keeping things low key at the moment, I aim to get Disraeli Gears running and see where I go from there. All advice is welcome, I have a built in filter that ignores any that doesn't suit my needs Regards, Tony
Hi Tony, I have a couple of Bachmann class 08's so if you find yourself needing a DC blanking plug, I may be able to help you out. Cheers Toto
Loco duly arrived and runs well, it was a bit juddery at first but after a few backwards and forwards it seem fine. I haven't pulled it apart as yet to see whats inside but I may leave well alone. Thanks again for all your advice and offers of help, really appreciated. Regards Tony
No problem. Feel free to post a picture up of your loco on your layout. How long have you been going for. Just starting or are you well on with your layout ? Cheers Toto
Hi Tony I'm sure its an 8 pin plug on the DCC ready version. The 8 pin DC plugs can be inserted either way round without issue. Most right ups on the web for the Bachmann DCC conversions actually remove the DCC socket and wire directly to the motor and pickups. As Toto has said,. when you remove the body post up a couple of pics and I'm sure we will be able to help. Paul
Hi Tony just a word of warning ... make a note of the names of those who sent you advice.... they're the ones who use spells and potions to make their locos run... seriously though it's a good example of how knowledgeable/helpful P1 is. Ian vt
I've put some photo's on the Disraeli Gears thread as requested. Ian, I am quite happy to use spells and potions if it means smooth running loco's, but yes, the knowledge pool here is very useful, maybe one day I will be helping answer questions too. And maybe even correctly!
Ohhhhhh ...... never say correctly ........ thats just asking for trouble. there are a great bunch of guys on here Tony and you can usually get an answer to most questions. if they dont know the answer ..... usually ....... they are off looking for it. You will have your chance at some point as well. it all comes with time. Its a great thing to be part of and you make so many modeling mates along the way. ........ I must have at least two mates now oh ..... and my bestest newest mate Gormo as well....... Geesh ..... thats three. saying that ...... cant remember if Pauls fallen out with me for overtaking him on the O gauge loco count. ..... oh well. welcome aboard. cheers toto
You bet. you need to be up for trying a bit of everything. A bit scary at times but ....... slowly but surely. looking forward to sharing your challenges ahead toto
See what Toto did then Anthony he just mentioned the O word... they use even bigger spells and potions... sneaky Ian vt
