Large Scale Central

Bachmann 'plug n' play' board

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

Well, Folks, I’ve just read Kevin Strong’s excellent write-up on the Bachmann Plug n’ Play board in the new GR, and have a couple of things to say.

  1. As some of you may have seen, I installed a QSI sound unit board in one of my Aristo dash 9’s the other week in less time than it took to remove the six screws holding the panel in. Even a guy like me with two fingers and eight thumbs can do it.

  2. Having read Mr Strong’s review, all I can say is that I’d rather carry out open-heart surgery on my own body, with a pick and shovel, than try and fit one of Mr Bachmann’s latest offerings to the masses.

If this is what Bachmann calls an easy fix, then may the Lord help us. One slip of a switch, and you will have fried your newly installed DCC unit before you can even figure out what you may have done wrong. User friendly it ain’t.

Needless to say, I will not be availing myself of Mr Bachmann’s latest offering.

tac

#2

Here here Mr. Foley I completely agree QSI PNP and Airwire Throttle and G-wire is the way to go if you want complete control at a cost effective price compared to everything else out there. Discovered this last october, and have never looked back!!! First time out approx $430.00 (includes Airwire throttle) and $230.00 thereafter, depending on where you buy!!! See the sound comparison between QSI and Phoenix on my you tube site (link provided here) green b.n. is Phoenix and the b.n. heritage 2 is QSI. My only problem is i’m not a gazzilionaire, so I can put in all my engines!

#3

I’ve takled to the guys at QSI and they have indicated to me that they are coming out with special boards just for some of the Bachmann stuff that are designed to be easier to install. Just need to wait for them.

#4

Well Dave said it was a place to plug some stuff into…in the first GR Review

#5

In the meantime, if you want Plug and Play battery R/C for the K-27, you can do just like like Kevin did and get the ONLY true Plug and Play.
The RCS PnP-3.

#6
TonyWalsham said:
...the [b]ONLY[/b] true Plug and Play...The RCS PnP-3.
Yo Tony - now how did I just KNOW you'd say that? :)

You’re dead right though :wink:

Besp

tac

#7
TonyWalsham said:
In the meantime, if you want Plug and Play battery R/C for the K-27, you can do just like like Kevin did and get the [b]ONLY[/b] true Plug and Play. The RCS PnP-3.
A note that Tony does indeed advertise here, and, unlike other people that come in and post their ads, I really don't mind him doing it, since he pays me to keep the site going.
#8
TonyWalsham said:
In the meantime, if you want Plug and Play battery R/C for the K-27, you can do just like like Kevin did and get the [b]ONLY[/b] true Plug and Play. The RCS PnP-3.
I agree and applaud ....Just don't make that claim around any consultants (paid or not).........like I did here......it may wrinkle feathers

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php?PHPSESSID=131c674af5dfdadad37f38b34cd1ca43&topic=5138.0

and I just realized…my questions were never answered…how shocking!

Picture still there on page four of this PDF…with perf board

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/k-27/installdocuments/Lenz_Gold_Maxi_Install.pdf

#9

Plug and play should really be plug it in and it plays…

Having to unscrew wires and reconnect with screw terminals is not plug and play, but it’s ok for some folk.

Using a soldering iron and soldering to a motherboard that may violate your warranty, and you have to unsolder the connections should you have to use your warranty, that’s not “plug and play” in anyone’s book, except a politician’s

Regards, Greg

#10

I really liked the part where Kevin says just whack it out and wire direct.
Howard must be spinning.
Stanley, of course, is in de-nile.
Up to his neck.

(Got that information from the “comments” on the 1:20 blog).

Gawd, I’m glad I don’t have to deal with that anymore.

Just keep my wire cutters sharpened, and soldeing iron hot…

#11

From Durango Dan’s latest offering…

"Socket To 'Em?

And finally today, the latest installment of Garden Railways is about to hit newsstands and mailboxes across the country. One interesting item that modelers will want to pay attention to is the review of Bachmann’s “Non-proprietary Plug-and-Play Electronics Socket.” This, the second review of Bachmann and Stanley Ames’ “Super Socket,” proves to be far more in depth than the first, and rather controversial, article authored by David Goodson.

Though at times complementary of the effort put forth, and overall supportive of the idea of a universal interface, many, if not all of the same concerns and criticisms remain, if only presented in a more delicate tone.

It will be interesting to see how the large scale community reacts to this round of reviews."

#12

Delicate tone? What the heck is that? Are they writing for 5 year olds?
Ralph

#13

Depends on which “They” you mean.

There are some audiences who whine and cry a lot when they don’t receive the praise they’re expecting. That behaviour is very similar to a 5 year old’s, so if you mean is the reviewer trying to write in such a way that folks who have been known to exhibit those tendencies won’t throw a tantrum, then I’d say yes.

Durango Dan generally writes for folks interested in having as much information, good bad and ugly, as can be had, whether it ruffles feathers or not. So, if you mean is Durango Dan writing for 5 year olds, I’d say no.

Matthew (OV)

#14

Great-Honest Review!

thanks for reaffirming what most have said from day one. Nice writing, as always Kevin!

cale

#15
Curmudgeon said:
Stanley, of course, is in de-nile. Up to his neck.
Man in de Nile is snack for crocodile.