Bachmann GE 45 Tonner

[Genetk44]

is it the 45 tonner? or the 44 tonner?

The 45 tonner already has the chip in it.

 

[Squidbait]

mine is dcc ready, how does one go about installing a decoder in this little thing? It doesn't look like it has room for a decoder.

Ah. You have the 44 tonner:

Not the new 45 tonner:

Two different animals, two different drives.

The new 45 tonner only (AFIAK) comes with DCC already onboard.

Yours, the 44 tonner, says it's DCC ready, but I've never had anything but grief trying to use the circuit board they have in it to wire in a decoder. It doesn't have a socket, it's got 4 holes in the circuit board where you're supposed to solder in the leads from the decoder. I've tried this on several locos, and the decoder always acts twitchy.

Your best bet is to rip out the circuit board and wire in a Digitrax DZ125.

 

[diburning]

A Z scale decoder will be ok with the 44 tonner? Do I have to add resisters to the bulbs? what if I want to add LEDs in the future?

 

[Squidbait]

A Z scale decoder will be ok with the 44 tonner? Do I have to add resisters to the bulbs? what if I want to add LEDs in the future?

The DZ125 is rated for 1A continuous, 2A peak. You'll smoke the motor before you get it to pull 2A.

I can't remember if I used the stock bulbs, or replaced them with 15v bulbs. With an LED you'll definitely need resistors... 640 ohm, IIRC.