I've recently purchased several N-scale Bachmann Spectrum steam locos w/DCC installed, but I've had no luck whatsoever making modifications to the speed characteristics of these locomotives. The only CVs available for speed adjustments appear to be CV2, 3, and 4. The latter two CVs supposedly control momentum. Changing the value of CV2 doesn't seem to affect speed at all. Has anyone had any different experiences? Thanks. .....Tom
Hi Tom - I have no experience with Spectrum steam. Here is a Bachmann decoder instruction sheet from their web site: http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/ez_content/1_Amp_Decoder_Instr.pdf As you already know, there is not much you can change. CV2 sets the starting voltage. The range for CV2 is 0-31. The factory default is 10. - Jeff
I attempted to do speed matching with a locomotive with a sound decoder and one with the standard Bachmann DCC, very difficult if not impossible. I changed the Bachmann decoder to a Digitrax DZ125 and solved the problem. The TCS Z2 would have also been a good choice for replacement.
Thanks, guys. That pretty much confirms my findings. I too have run into insurmountable problems trying to consist these Bachmann locos. And, I've had trouble with slow-speed start-up. Even with a loco that is completely broken in, often times the loco doe not overcome jerky behavior until speed step 10 or even 12. Bachmann has done a great job making N-scale steam available but it just doesn't seem right that their accepted design point for decoder capability would have been so low. They give new meaning to the word, "Easy."