Kusojiji
RANK AMATEURS OF THE MODEL RAILROAD FORM MEMBER
Did the price reflect the downgrade? Probably went up anyway, eh?
Running Bear's December 2025 Coffee Shop
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Not knowing what type of loco you have makes it hard to determine what will work.
And you are right, Bachmann had their own wiring scheme. You will have to track down wires to their correct functions, ie, lights, motor and track power. Only thing here is you need to determine are the locos worth all the effort and expense for a new decoder or will something new be better.
One other thought, can you read the address of the locos? Do a factory reset?
John
Bachmann DCC On Board, N scale NW2.
There ARE no wires on the RS3, the board has springs that contact the frame, and the motor leads from the board to the motor are springs.
The NW2, you "can" install a Digitrax DZ103, but you have to remove the cab windows, all the lighting, and gouge out room for the decoder in the cab area out of the inside of the cab. And then the shell still doesn't fit all the way down.
Have you checked the Lenz website for replacement parts? If it's not 20 years old, it's possible they may still have it or a replacement.
2-- I forgot, you like Digitrash
Seriously, I can't believe you of all people here would park some locos because the decoder failed. I can't believe some other decoder can't be reworked to fit. That being said, I am the maniac that put DCC into 2 dual motored Bachmann 44 tonners and made it work!
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Kusojiji
RANK AMATEURS OF THE MODEL RAILROAD FORM MEMBER
Does the mechanism work at all? Not all dried up grease like a lot of my old stuff was.
Texas Hobo
Well Known Hobo
No I don't think so. You would expect at least a hum if the motor was getting power. The remaining dead loco make no noise whatsoever. The only response is to light.
santafewillie
Same Ol' Buzzard
Could it be the ocean air???
westtexjohn
Well-Known Member
You can always remove the factory board and replace it with a new one. Surely ESU has a small board that will fit your locos.
Not knowing what type of loco you have makes it hard to determine what will work.
And you are right, Bachmann had their own wiring scheme. You will have to track down wires to their correct functions, ie, lights, motor and track power. Only thing here is you need to determine are the locos worth all the effort and expense for a new decoder or will something new be better.
One other thought, can you read the address of the locos? Do a factory reset?
John
westtexjohn
Well-Known Member
You're gonna need a BIG bottle of glue here.
Kusojiji
RANK AMATEURS OF THE MODEL RAILROAD FORM MEMBER
That's cool! I have some DN144K and DN148K stuff hiding somewhere. I should hunt them down and see if this works. I think the 148 is for the RS2, which I can get to quickly.
Bachmann DCC On Board, N scale RS3.
Bachmann DCC On Board, N scale NW2.
There ARE no wires on the RS3, the board has springs that contact the frame, and the motor leads from the board to the motor are springs.
The NW2, you "can" install a Digitrax DZ103, but you have to remove the cab windows, all the lighting, and gouge out room for the decoder in the cab area out of the inside of the cab. And then the shell still doesn't fit all the way down.
Texas Hobo
Well Known Hobo
Mine is also a RS3. Is it possible the springs have lost tension, losing connection?
On mine, I checked the output voltage, and it was 0. The lights worked, no motion. I connected voltage directly to the motor contacts, and the motor ran. I suppose if I was really desperate, I could connect wires from the trucks to the motor contacts, but I don't think I could ever get the shell back on.
RhB Michael
RhB Lokführer
Have you checked the Lenz website for replacement parts? If it's not 20 years old, it's possible they may still have it or a replacement.
Yes. Lenz told me to contact Bachmann for a replacement OEM decoder..
RhB Michael
RhB Lokführer
I visited the site right after posting my question to you. They have nothing on their website other than standard decoders in various form factors. Nothing model specific. Sorry.
kbkchooch
Verified Human
1-- Oooops my bad, I googled NCE N scale decoder and the HO one came up
2-- I forgot, you like Digitrash
Seriously, I can't believe you of all people here would park some locos because the decoder failed. I can't believe some other decoder can't be reworked to fit. That being said, I am the maniac that put DCC into 2 dual motored Bachmann 44 tonners and made it work!
DeaconKC
Well-Known Member
Sounds like Karl is up to fix your locomotives! He really is a noble fella!
RhB Michael
RhB Lokführer
Here is an RS-3 decoder board. Not sure if this fits your exact model of the RS-3 though.
Bachmann RS-3 PCB01 decoder board
Bachmann RS-3 PCB01 decoder board
Looks like it’s bck in stock now. Of course, the price is more than I paid for the engine, then add shipping and tax…
It’s not that I like them, it’s the “once bitten, twice shy” thing with NCE.
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