So pins 1 and 2 are connected and 7 and 8 are connected. Pins 3 and 4 and NOT connected together and 5 and 6 are NOT connected together.
So pin 2 has the cathode (bar) as well as pin 8. So do I connect the capacitor to pin 2 or pin 8? Both are cathodes. The right track connection is connected to pin 7 (anode), and the left track connection is connected to pin 2 (cathode).
I'm guessing I have to connect the negative of the capacitor bank to pin 8 (-) because pin 2 (-) is connected to the left track connection, which is an input. So according to my diagram above, here is what I've discovered: Pin 1 (anode or +) Pin 2 (cathode or -) Pin 3 (cathode or -) Pin 4 (anode or +) Pin 5 (cathode or -) Pin 6 (anode or +) Pin 7 (anode or +) Pin 8 (cathode or -) Pairings (or which pins are connected to other pins) 1 and 2 are connected together 3 and 5 are connected together 4 and 6 are connected together 7 and 8 are connected together AC (or DCC) inputs go to pins 2 (-) and 7 (+).
I received my Bachmann ATSF SD-45 yesterday and it ran for several hours at various speeds and both directions with no issues on my around the room layout. There was no stalling in either direction and the sound never cut out as others have mentioned. I'm running a NCE radio controlled Power Pro on my around the room layout at approximately 13.5 volts. With the NCE Power Pro I can randomly change the track voltage easily. As far as detailing goes this Bachmann diesel is average at best. It doesn't come close to a brass ATSF SD-45 that I have on the roster. I have a large supply of Sunrise detail parts that I accumulated many years ago which I'll apply to the shell which will greatly improve its appearance. As far as the Soundtraxx decoder goes, I've been using ESU-Lok Sound decoders for over ten years, but at this stage in my modeling career, I'll leave the Soundtraxx decoder in place. I don't plan to buy an additional Bachmann SD-45. Have fun with it..... Shades
Yeah, I'm getting rid of mine and got a Kato SD45, an ESU LokSound Select Micro, detail parts, etc. It'll be MUCH better than the Bachmann one.
I learned quite a few useful skills owning a pinto thank you very much. Lost the 1st one to an accident. Actually bought a 2nd one to keep them honed until I went off to college. Gave that one up since no place to store tools living in a dorm.
I ran the Bachmann SD-45 for another four hours this morning at various speeds, both directions pulling a consist of 15 cars. It still runs beautifully with no problems. (8 hours of running time) Having fun with it.....
I only have about 1hr of run time on mine .i was only able to run it back and forth on a 10 ft section of track due to scenery work. I will run it more this weekend and post my results.
I took out the stock Soundtraxx sound decoder and installed an old DCC decoder from a Bachmann GP7 I had. The thing ran a little hesitant at first, especially over small bumps and turnouts. However, once it got going, it ran well, both forward and backwards. It crawled along too. So I strongly believe the problem lies with the Soundtraxx decoder. The other good thing is once I took out the stock Soundtraxx decoder the shell sat MUCH lower to the ground. It looked great!
So i cleaned my track after some scenery work. Ran the bachmann sd45. It ran great for the first couple of passes. Then on a return run in reverse it would cut out for a second then continue. Then it would cut out every few feet. After a few minutes of rest it will run good. Then the same thing. Could the sound decoder be overheating? I tried to run it in a consist to see if the other engine would help but it was even worse. VERY FRUSTRATED!
Mark (Spookshow)'s review. Note that the new DCC/Sound version is down the page a bit. http://www.spookshow.net/loco/spectrumsd45.html Spoiler Alert: F.
This is really hilarious. I tell folks "it's Bachmann", but no, it's the new and improved Bachmann, they reply, and all is well. Reminds me of Animal House.."All is well! All is well!" It doesn't matter scale....still made by Kader, still sold by Bachmann.
Their steam engines are tops though, and I have no problem with their GP7 (which I equipped with sound). I actually like it much better than the Atlas version because I can superdetail it, and the frame is heaver than the Atlas version.
I had trouble with a SoundTraxx Micro Tsunami Sound Decoder, it didn't have enough power to run the sound and a loco at the same time. It does how ever work great as a Sound only decoder, and is now in a dummy E8. I email Soundtraxx about this problem and they never replied.
