Bachmann 44-Ton Decoder Conversion

[kelleywpns]

All

I've read the thread on here from last spring where a custom-made circuit board was made to upgrade one of these.  That is a bit advanced for me.  I've also read on other forums about swapping either a TCS MZA4 or Digitrax DZ123M0 for the stock decoder (both claims say it's almost a perfect swap.

Anyone here had an experience with either of those decoders with this model?
Thanks

[tony22]

It's been a while since I did mine, but this might help. I'll have to point you to one of the other sites for the thread.

http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?113464-Bachmann-Spectrum-GE-44-tonner

[u18b]

Didn't Peteski have a great idea of etching his own circuitboard?

I seem to remember something like that.

[peteski]

I did and I have dozen boards etched - I just need to create install instructions. But they are coming (eventually).

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=32605.0

[u18b]

Hey Pete.

Question.

I was just reminding myself of the details of that excellent thread.

And I began wondering about the ceramic disc capacitor for the motor.





As I look at what you did.  It doesn't seem to do anything.
The reason I say that is because the top pole of the disc goes to the second output on the decoder.  Which would be the orange motor wire.

But the bottom pole is soldered to the board but it does not seem to go anywhere.

Am I missing something?

Shouldn't there be a little gray jumper wire that goes from the bottom pole to the third output from the top (the gray output) which in that photo seems to have nothing going to it.

For that matter, how does the motor get power from the third pad?

Inquiring minds want to know.

EDIT- never mind.  I see the orange and gray jumpers in the next photo.

Please resume what you were doing.  Nothing to see here (except great modeling)

[Jim Starbuck]

Excellent work guys.

I can't add much to the OP but I hardwired a TCS Z2 into mine and glued micro LEDs into the shell. The capacitor was left out entirely as was the shield leaving a see through cab.
It runs beautifully and has independently controlled lighting with directional dimming as well as pushbutton dimming of the active light.
The lighting functions of the stock board are limited.
These engines run much too well to have anything less than a high quality decoder.
I think the MZA4 would work well.

Jim

[peteski]

Ron,
that yellow disk is not a cap. It is a circuit breaker (to prevent motor from overheating when stalled).  It is wired in series with the motor.  It is not required but I figured that with that tiny motor it was good to keep it in the circuit.

[u18b]

A thermister?

[SP-Wolf]

My 2 pennies -- I use the Digitrax DZ123M0's on all of my 44 and 70 tonners. I feel they work very well. Easy install.

Thanks,
Wolf

[mmagliaro]

Peteski... that little yellow disk ... is that one of them Raychem Polyswitches?
Cool.

[tehachapifan]

I am only just about to convert part of my layout to DCC and was looking forward to running my 44 tonner (being my only loco currently equipped with a decoder). I'm guessing from this thread that the stock decoder has its shortcomings?

[peteski]

The yellow disk circuit breaker (probably some sort of a thermistor - I haven't looked it up) was included by Bachmann in the original loco.  I simply moved it to my circuit board.

The stock Bachmann decoder is not very good.  It has very limited functionality and relatively poor speed control.