DCC for the Bachmann Tamper

By Josh Beveridge 12/6/2006

 

 

The Bachmann tamper is a very detailed model of a type of track machine used in NSW.

The tamper is wired to a circuit board (PCB) that is not DCC ready, but it can be used to make life easier.

 

I have installed a TCS M1 decoder, as there isn’t much room inside the model.

 

Remember, any modification to the electronics in the model will void the manufacturers warranty!

 

 

Step One – Removing the Body.

 

The body has a large cab and a small one. The large cab is the main operating cab. For DCC directional purposes, the large cab will be the front. Under the small cab is the powered bogie. To remove it you will have to spread out the body rails and work it free.

Once the chassis is free, carefully slide it out. Take note of how the contact wipers to the trailing bogie pass thru the various body components, you will need to feed them back into place to re-install the chassis.

 

 

Step Two – Isolating and rewiring the PCB.

 

 

Unsolder all wires from the PCB, except the pickup wipers to the trailing bogie.

 

Also unsolder the wires to the motor terminals.

 

Remove the copper clips and the two coils from the PCB.

 

 

 

 

Step Three – Fitting the decoder

 

With the wiper end of the PCB on you left, work from the left end and solder the following –

 

-         Red decoder wire to the 2nd pad.

-         Black decoder wire to the 4th pad,

-         the closest bogie pick wire to the 3rd pad,

-         and the furthest bogie pick up wire to the 4th pad.

 

Lastly, solder the orange decoder wire to the closest,

 and the grey wire to the furthest motor terminals.

 

 

 

Step Four – Fitting it all in

 

Place the PCB back into it holder and place the decoder between the PCB and the motor.

Coil up the extra lighting wires and place them on the other side of the motor.

 

Wrap it all up in insulation tape and be sure that you don’t cover the chassis locating lugs.

 

 

 

 

                                 

 

Lastly, place on the programming track and program. I gave my model a short address of ‘81’ (TJ081).

 

 

The tamper engaged in trackwork duties.

Those ‘Trainorama’ modern crewmembers come in handy!

 

A later addition will detail how to add a flashing light to the roof.

 

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