Adding DCC to a Bachmann g scale trolley (the United traction one)

[HimRail23]

.

 

[dunnyrail]

Sound of course!

 

[JimmyB]

I am sure there was something there yesterday.

 

[PhilP]

Perhaps someone has driven it away, Jimmy?

 

[HimRail23]

I actually have a roco Z21 digital starter set so i was thinking if i could fit the decoder on the tram and then use the Z21 to run the tram and a few other consists.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

disappearing ink

 

[dunnyrail]

I actually have a roco Z21 digital starter set so i was thinking if i could fit the decoder on the tram and then use the Z21 to run the tram and a few other consists.

Z21 will run a low powered Tram quite happily, you may run into problems if you have a lot more on line sucking power with lights, others running, sound burbling away etc. I just the other day used my Z21 to do some chip changes to a Piko Sound fitted 218 diesel with 2 motors and it ran quite happily on test on the workbench.

 

[HimRail23]

Thanks for the advice, though I would also like to know how you could fit it on the tram since the wiring is quite simple and I don’t see a place where a decoder could fit.

 

[HimRail23]

Here is all of the electric stuff

 

[JimmyB]

That is part of the fun of diy model railroading.

 

[Dan]

If converting the Bachmann trolley to DCC I would also swap out the Bachmann motor for a USA train motor block or LGB. Add weight and now that trolley can pull several cars.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Or keep the little motor, and see if you can get away with a high current HO decoder to help fit it out of sight?

 

[HimRail23]

So I was also wondering how your supposed to wire this decoder to something so simple as that trolley

 

[dunnyrail]

So I was also wondering how your supposed to wire this decoder to something so simple as that trolley

You certainly would have been better off with a screw terminal fitted chip. However I think you could possibly mount the chip in the clerestory (taking care that it does not short out on any lighting wires or strips there) then run wires through a black straw to it from the wires below. You then need to have LGB push connectors soldered to those wires, these will push onto the relevant spigots. Before you test also add some heat shrink to the wire ends, make it tight fit size so that it pushes on without shrinking.

 

[PhilP]

The Bachmann trolley, does not have pins on the block..
A decoder with screw-terminals, or wire 'tails' would certainly be easier. - Soldering to the pads below the 21 pin connector, requires a delicate touch, to avoid shorts between Pins..

PhilP

 

[dunnyrail]

The Bachmann trolley, does not have pins on the block..
A decoder with screw-terminals, or wire 'tails' would certainly be easier. - Soldering to the pads below the 21 pin connector, requires a delicate touch, to avoid shorts between Pins..

PhilP

I was talking about the decoder pins, hence the application of heat shrink.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

The loco has clearly been messed with, notice the diodes with full length leads, not insulated and one cold/broken joint on the diode on the left.

Is there any chance to return the decoder and get a more appropriate one? Are you experienced with soldering?

 

[JimmyB]

The loco has clearly been messed with, notice the diodes with full length leads, not insulated and one cold/broken joint on the diode on the left.

Is there any chance to return the decoder and get a more appropriate one? Are you experienced with soldering?

Mine looked very much like that, a very unprofessional job, but I think it was original.

 

[PhilP]

Mine looked very much like that, a very unprofessional job, but I think it was original.

Agreed..
Part of the reason they come up as 'spare or repair'.

The plastics used, leave a lot to be desired, as well..

PhilP

 

[HimRail23]

The Bachmann trolley, does not have pins on the block..
A decoder with screw-terminals, or wire 'tails' would certainly be easier. - Soldering to the pads below the 21 pin connector, requires a delicate touch, to avoid shorts between Pins..

Philip

Oh yeah I remember those I once bought a LGB rack loco and it had one of those