I really like the look of that NCE, but the net buddy I mentioned earlier told me yesterday that a couple of guys in his club that have that have had nothing but nightmares with it. I haven't heard that anywhere else yet. I t doesn't really matter now because after going over my financial situation I only have 2 choices: 1.) Stay with the MRC Tech4 220 DC I have, or 2.) Buy the Bachmann and mess with it for a year or two, then upgrade to a better system. I'm using Kato Unitrack so I guess there's not a lot of crazy wiring going on either way, but I'd still like to try DCC just for the abaility to control 2 or 3 trains at once. By the way, Bachmann is 1amp continuous, 1.5 max. I'm not sure how the others like MRC rate theirs. I doubt 3 modern Atlas diesels would need more than that??? Anyway looks like it's the Bachmann or stay with DC. I dunno........
Buy the Bachmann! If you ever intend to have more than one locomotive on the layout at the same time, and you will, you will want DCC. Wiring blocks is not hard, but it is unnecessary for the most part with DCC. So, my advice, buy the Bachmann, today. You'll be glad you did. :thumbs_up:
I'm gonna have to scrape to even get the money for that, but I think I can pull that off. I wonder if the Bachmann will have AC outputs to power my Kato turnouts, or if I will have to use my MRC 220 for that?
I have head nothing but praise about the NCE PowerCab. I'd be interested to hear what problems they were having.
Kozmo, I was wrong. I went back to find the e-mail and I was mixed up. He had recommended Digitrax and Lenz over NCE because they just had to convert 10 of the Locos at his club to different decoders because the NCE decoders were nothing but problems for them and they couldn't get them to work right. Based on that he didn't figure he could recommend their system if they couldn't even build a decoder right. That's what I was told. Being told that, it kinda didn't make me want to rush out and buy one myself, but it's doesn't really matter now since I only have the money for the Bachmann or stay with DC. I'm sure anything is better than the Bachmann just due to it's limitations. Although I'm not 100% sure that everyone who puts the Bachmann down knows everything about it. I wish that someone who understands this more than me could actually read what I've read on Bachmann's site about it and be able to understand it better. Bachmann claims it's upgradable/ expandable whatever, but it's probably not cost effective.
Speedy: Thae Bachmann DCC system is a very inexpensive way for a modeler to try and use DCC. If you were ever thinking of expanding the system, you'd be much better off spending your money elsewhere. As far as NCE, they do make excellent DCC systems. I never base my opinion on what one person says about a particular system. All DCC systems have their merits and one should base a purchase on indivdual needs. Just for the record I have a Lenz 100 system and have been a Lenz user for almost seven years. I suggest you do some more homework before you make any final decisons that you might not be comfortable with after a purchase. Stay cool and run steam.....
At this point I'm basing my choice on financial fact. It's the Bachmann, or it's staying DC. I don't have a choice in the matter any longer. When I sat down and did the math I realized I can't aford anything but the Bachmann. It's sad, but it's true. It's called living on a fixed income. I've spent $600 or more on train stuff already, but that was due to selling off some r/c items. I won't be able to hand out money like that any time soon. My train stuff is gonna come in small packages now, and fewer in between. I'm fine with that. Makes an easier decision for me. Again, here's where I'm at.... It's buy the Bachmann and use it for a couple of years, then sell it and get something better. That whole experiment would only cost me $30 in the end. Buy it for $60, sell it for $30 later. 2 years for $30 would be worth it I think. Unless you guys convince me that I'd be better of with my MRC DC powerpack, I'm gonna try to get the Bachmann. I was thinking about something else.... If I ran all my turnouts and any other accessories off my MRC powerpack, wouldn't the 1 amp, 1.5 amp max output of the Bachmann be plenty to run 3 engines at once?? Or doesn't the Bachmann even have AC terminals for the accessories so I'd have to use the MRC anyway?? From what I read on the Bachmann site, it sounds like it will have the capability of powering the new decoder equipped turnouts. I'm using unitrack just getting started and I only have 2 #6 turnout right now. Infact I just unpacked them from today's mail. Time to kick up my fun a notch from just making laps! I've been running NASCAR style railroading for my 2 weeks in the hobby. Just makin laps, I've been having fun though, and this should definatly take me to the next level. Yeah I'm pretty sophisticated now I guess.... running an oval with 2 turnouts, LOL. I'm as green as green gets. Not to beat a dead horse but again, I know the Bachmann is no Lenz or Digitrax, and for $60 new with warranty, I wouldn't expect it to be. I just need it to be better than DC... that's all it needs to be, and I think it is. I've spent 2 days researching all I can find on it and read a few different message boards. I haven't read one single complaint from anyone who owns it, except one guy who outgrew it, but said it was more than he ever excpected and he had no regrets. I'm sure I'll buy one and it will catch fire first day, but it's got a warranty and I'll have to cross that bridge later. Won't I won't do, is let my lack of money keep me from enjoying this great hobby. I'll buy the best I can afford in anything I buy because I hate junk. If the Bachmann qualifies as junk, let me know now. If it's just more limited than a $150 system, but works well. I'm all for it. Whatever you do, if you have an opinion, air it out, don't hold back. I need to know the good with the bad. Here's some info that someone might find useful and might send up a flag that I can't see. If someone could read this and comment, I'd be appreciative: http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/ez/ez4.php
What I understand from that site, is that the system does not control turnouts. But if you have a DC power pack, you can use that one for the turnouts? The Bachmann system can store not more than 10 engines. My Roco system can have 99 adresses, and Lenz and Digitrax 999 tot 9999. But hey, I do not have the resources to buy that many engines! I can buy one engine a year, so for me Roco is more than satisfying. As I understand, your financial resources are limited too, so your roster will be small. That makes the Bachmann system a good choice for you. DCC is really a different world from DC. You feel like an engineer because you run the train, not the tracks. For me (and everyone else I know), it has improved the hobby. So when you can get a DCC system for a small amount of money, I should buy it!
Thieu, if I'm ever in a financial situation where I could even afford 10 locos, I'm sure I could by that time upgrade to something better than the Bachmann. I mean, I only own one loco, LOL It's my dream to one day own three. Hey, I like my goals to be obtainable, LOL! How does that Roco compare to the Bachmann, and how much is it?
Hahaha, yes I have the same problem. A few years ago money was not a big problem, so I bought a few engines a year. All DC, unfortunately. The last 2 years our financial situation has worsened, so I buy one engine a year but that one has to be DCC! And I try to upgrade my DC locos to DCC by buying and installing decoders. That puts my roster of DCC locos to the impressive amount of 3...... I do not know the Bachmann system. It is not for sale here. I wanted to see it when Bachmann introduced it, because of the same reasons you explained. I went to a hobby shop with the intension to buy the cheapest Lenz system, but they recommended my the Roco system. My needs are about the same as yours, so they explained that I shouldn't spend a lot of money on a system that doesn't ad anything to my needs. I paid € 90,00 for Roco. It has 99 adresses, and programming is very limited (adress, lights, speed) but very easy. And it is expandable with Lenz products, because they use Xpressnet.
Sounds like it would be worth me looking into. I'm wore out from switching cars around all night. I may only have one loco, 17 pieces of rolling stock, and 2 switches, but you better believe I gave each and every piece a workout tonight, hehe. I've got more rolling stock coming from Wig-Wag early next week. Can't wait. Once I get another loco, some more unitrack, and a door I'll be busy as a beaver. I'm hoping after the smoke clears from all this spending, I can salvage enough funds for the Bachmann, or maybe even the Roco. I never dreamed I'd buy so much train stuff in such a short time. This is a seriously addicting hobby
I believe we have been fully successful at causing you complete and irreversible brain damage! Good luck with your trains. I have found few things as completely satisfying. Best regards Joe, Erie, Colorado
I read a couple of places now where the voltage output of the Bachmann E-Z command is 16 volts. Kato's website says Unitrack is 12 volts, 3 amps max capable???????
Speedy: On many of the more expensive DCC system you can change the default setting for the voltage output to the track. On my Lenz 100 system, the default voltage to the track is 16 volts. I changed that to 11 volts as 16 volts is too high for N scale. With the Bachmann EZ DCC system, you can't change the voltage output to the track. Stay cool and run steam....
I've used the Bachmann system on a test loop to test decoder installs, as I don't use DCC myself. Don't worry about the power output, I have had 5 loco's running at once (4 Kato diesels MU'd together with a single Bachmann Spectrum Steam running alone) with no signs of anything dragging down. I didn't run it long enough to know if it heated the supply up. It lacks much of the programability of the other systems but if you just want to be able to run multiple trains, it works fine. My only suggestion is don't run N scale DC loco's with the system using address 10 as they say is possible. It may be OK for HO loco's but the 16V system is hard on N scale in DC mode. In DCC, it's not a problem because the only time the motor's will see 16V is at full throttle and unless you are back to the Nascar qualifying lap phase, they won't ever see that. The 16V seems to give the DCC system some "headroom" helping the power output for multiple loco's. The second cab contol is available for the system the last I checked. There is a turnout control module on the way and a reverse loop module.
I have the EZ command and am perfectly happy with it. As to the wiring because of the unitrack turnouts, it's still less of a hassle than DC wiring. On to N locos that are not speed matched- if the performance is relatively close, this is really not an issue for N scale. Because the motors are smaller and do not have the torque of the larger scales, engines that are similar will do what's called falling into "lock step". These means they work in a manner that is a compromise between the two engines. Next, You are right, expanding the Bmann makes it almost as expensive as the other units, but if you are going to take a number of years to reach more than 4-5 locos, who cares? I've current tested my locos and I can easily run 5 of them on the Bmann system The Bmann was designed exactly for people like you, It's purpose is for users with smaller layouts and a smaller # of locomotives. The idea was to have a system that would make it easy for users to get into the hobby and easier for them to expand their system without complicated wiring. As to your other question, it does not have an AC accessories output, so you still need your power pack to power switch machines. However, you don't have to worry about "power routing" using the switch points or motor as polarity will not be an issue because you don't have a reverse loop or connected double ovals. If you can run your trains on your loop and siding, you can do the same with the DCC unit. Here's the difference. If you want to have one unit waiting on the siding while another passes by on the oval, you'd have to have a way to kill power to the siding with DC. This means isolating the siding, wiring in a kill switch and having a way to reverse polarity if you want to backup in the siding. Also, both trains would want to move at the same speed, so you'd need to add a seperate throttle to the siding . . . i.e. more wiring and electrical switches. With DCC you pull the loco onto the siding and tell it to stop, you can then run the other train around the loop whil you're "fiddling" with the train on the siding. No extra wiring or electrical switches required. You can run both trains on the loop simultaneously and vary their speeds to prevent rear end collisions. Plus theres the ability to run them in different directions on the same track. This is just a small example of what you can do. Now, if your locos don't have drop in decoder boards available, then you should look at Digitrax and TCS decoders. Great values and TCS has a "goof proof" warranty. Plus their programming manuals are written so the average person can understand them. www.tcsdcc.com
If you only have the one locomotive, you might be better off sticking with the DC unit you have until you can afford that second loco. You already have the unit. If you can get rid of it for exactly what you paid for it, or close, then it might be worth it to spend the extra money. I am building a 2' x 4' layout and plan on using the NCE PowerCab. I like the fact it is all in the one handheld, as I don't want to have anything external to the layout. The DigiTrax Z needs to sit by itself. I also like the fact the NCE will control the turnouts. I'll have no need for a control panel, although I may install one anyway. I just started laying track. I have NO engines to speak of (an old B-Mann that probably doesn't work any more hardly counts), but I just picked up an MRC 200 off e-Bay for less than $30. I'll pick up a cheap loco, too, if for no other reason than to test the track once laid. I am still going to wire it as if it were DCC (one big block, basically) so I'll only be able to run the one engine, but if that's all I have, then no big deal. Greg
I would certainly go with the Bachmann set before DC. Even the Bachmann dumps on DC IMO. I have the Bachmann and am happy with it. I have a 5x9 layout and run 3 Locos so that is good. I am looing at adding one more.
