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Engine Won't Move Track and electrical/DCC
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New member 17 posts locobreath New member 17 posts
locobreath

Newbie needs help.

I recently  posted my interest in putting a larger speaker in my new Bachmann Alco S4 to increase the bass sound of the prime mover. I contacted RailMaster Hobbies and was advised as to which speaker to purchase. The other night I removed the shell and unscrewed the decoder board so I could get to the speaker to measure it. Before I went any further in dismantling the engine I put the engine on the track to see what it would sound like without the shell on. I noticed that the engine would not move. The prime mover, lights, horn and bell all responded to the commands from the NCE Power Cab but it would not move. I did several things to resolve the problem including: resetting the engine to engine default, and tried to unlock the cvs (I got a message that they could not be unlocked). I also checked to make sure I did not damage any of the soldered joints. The engine still did not move. Is there anything else I can do? The engine worked fine before I started dismantling it. Thanks for any input.

http://neiljharwicke.blogspot.com/
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Larry of Z'ville Frequent poster 984 posts
Larry of Z'ville

Make sure the motor wires are still connected

The decoder is getting track power, else the lights would not work. The next thing to check is the wires from the decoder to the motor. For standard NMRA colors they should be orange and grey. Make sure they are still connected properly. Another possibility is that some Bachmann DC units attach a board to the inside shell top. These have fingers or spring pickups. With the shell off that connection would be lost. Because the decoder indicated it has power, I wouldn't think this is the issue. However it is something else to check. Good luck, Larry

So many trains, so little time,

Larry

check out my MRH blog: https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/42408

 or my web site at http://www.llxlocomotives.com
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bapguy54 Regular poster 171 posts
bapguy54

I agree with Larry,sounds

I agree with Larry,sounds like one or more of the wires to the motor came loose. What I do is get rid of those plastic clips that hold the wires to the decoder and solder the wire to the tabs on the board. Go to Soundtraxx web site and in the lower right corner is a quick links box. Click on factory decoders and then Bachmann Industries. Scroll to the bottom for the S4 and down load the default value list for the CV's.  Joe
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locobreath New member 17 posts
locobreath

Thanks For The Advice

Thanks Larry and Joe.

As this is my first attempt at installation of decoders/speakers I was afraid to remove the black clips. I was unaware they were merely holding down the wires and were not soldered. I removed the clips from each tab, moved the wires to make better contact and put the clips back on. (I didn't solder the wires because I am planning to install a full function Soundtraxx decoder in the engine in the near future.) The engine worked just fine. I went further and removed the speaker with it's enclosure. It looks like I have a lot more room in the engine for a larger speaker. Thanks again.

 

http://neiljharwicke.blogspot.com/
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