Bachmann WOWSound SC-44 User manual

Quick
Start
Guide
For the Bachmann®
DCC Sound-Equipped
SC-44 Charger
Featuring WOWSound®
DCC Sound Technology
by TCS
Notice
The information in this document is subject to change
without notice.
Neither Bachmann Industries, Inc. nor TCS (Train Control
Systems Inc.) shall be liable for technical or editorial
errors or omissions contained herein, or for incidental
or consequential damages resulting from the furnishing,
performance, or use of this material.
This document contains information protected by
copyright. No part of this document may be photocopied or
reproduced in any form without the prior written consent
of Bachmann Industries, Inc.
Product names mentioned may be trademarks and/or
registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Bachmann, DCC On Board, and E-Z Command are
registered trademarks of Bachmann Industries, Inc.
Audio Assist and Keep-Alive are registered trademarks of
Train Control Systems, Inc.

Overview
Congratulations on the purchase of
your Bachmann locomotive with digital
sound installed. This state-of-the-art
locomotive with a Digital Sound Decoder
incorporates WOWSound®Digital Sound
Technology with true CD-Quality audio,
realistic operational performance, and
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Control) technology.
This Quick Start Guide assumes that
you have some understanding of, or
experience with, other “prototype” trains
and TCS decoders. This guide covers
the differences you may need to know
between the decoder used in this model
and any you may have used previously.
If you are new to WOWSound®, you
should start by visiting the TCS website
at www.tcsdcc.com to review the
WOWSound Comprehensive Guide,
as well as watch the video tutorials
provided by TCS.
For most DCC operations of the
locomotive (selecting new sounds,
adjusting volumes, remapping or
changing lighting effects, etc.), it is
easiest to use Audio Assist®,accessed by
pressing function button 8 four times in
quick succession while you are operating
your locomotive in DCC mode. From
there the decoder will take over, talk
to you, and explain how to perform the
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It is not necessary to look up or program
CV values when using Audio Assist®.
For More Information Visit:
www.TCSDCC.com
For WOWSound®Video Tutorials Visit:
www.youtube.com/TCSDCC

New Features
The SC-44 Charger from Bachmann
includes several brand new features from
the prototype for added realism and
enjoyment during operation!
Emergency Brake Feature:
This locomotive features a new
emergency braking operation. If an
emergency stop is triggered, the
emergency brake dump sound will play
and the red emergency strobe will begin
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emergency brake sequence can be
activated via the following means:
• Pressing the E-Stop button on your
command station (if supported)
• Pressing the Train Brake (Function 5)
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• Crew Alert Timer expiration
Crew Alert Feature:
Sometimes known as a Dead Man’s
Switch, this is a safety feature on modern
locomotives. An engineer must perform
some action periodically to ensure that
they have not fallen asleep, or worse. If
not, after a set amount of time, an alarm
will sound. If no action is taken, the train
goes into emergency stop. If this feature
is turned on, the decoder will monitor
for speed changes or function presses.
If the time has expired without any
user input, an alarm will sound, quickly
increasing in volume. If no further input is
received after a short amount of time, the
locomotive will enter emergency stop.
Any user input will reset the timer. This
feature is disabled by default and can be
turned on or off at any time via Function
17. An auditory cue can be heard when
the feature is turned on.
Dynamic Brake Operation:
The SC-44 Charger has the ability to
come to a complete stop by using the
dynamic brakes, just like the prototype.
The multi-stage Dynamic Brake Function
(Function 9) can be pressed multiple
times to decrease the speed by a factor
upon each press until you reach a stop.

WOWSound Decoder Features:
With WOWSound®decoders, the real
sounds of locomotives are carefully
recorded, preserved, and played back
without distortion or manipulation.
WOWSound’s signature CD-Quality
audio provides modelers with the closest
experience to standing track side.
In addition to excellent audio
performance, WOWSound®decoders
also feature Keep-Alive®UPS
(Uninterruptable Power Supply) for
uninterrupted operation, even over
dirty track, and the TCS-exclusive Audio
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programming CVs.
Operational Features:
• Three available throttle modes
• Button actuated multi-stage braking
• Variable momentum for realistic
acceleration and deceleration
• Auto-adjusting Back EMF for superior
slow speed operation
• Automatic sounds when operating on
DC power
• Supports 14/28/128 speed step modes
• Both simple and advanced consisting
for MU (Multiple Unit) operation
• Supports user-loadable speed tables
for completely custom speed curves
Light Features:
• 10 light functions for realistic lighting
• Full Rule 17 dimming features
• Directional marker lights
• Interior corridor work lights
• Illuminated number boards and
destination sign
• Programmable alternating ditch lights
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• Realistic operating emergency strobe
• 20 different programmable lighting
effects available
• Light Mode/Sound Mode function
mapping that allows buttons to perform
two actions independently

Sound Features:
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small package
• True CD-Quality Audio - WOWSound®is
the ONLY decoder with 16-bit 44,100Hz
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• Load-Based motive power sounds that
adjust automatically to the load, speed,
and track conditions on your layout
• Variable length horn/whistle sound for
custom signalling
• A large number of sound variations to
make MUs more enjoyable
• Function page mapping that allows you
to control all 28 functions with just
buttons 0-9
Throttle Modes:
TCS WOWSound®decoders offer
multiple throttle modes to change the
response of certain sound functions
to match your preferred method of
operation. You may change the active
mode by using Audio Assist®. More
information on each throttle mode can
be found on TCS’ website tcsdcc.com.
Traditional Throttle Mode is the default
throttle mode active on your SC-44
Charger model out of the box. This
throttle mode mimics the “traditional”
behavior of a DC locomotive where
momentum values are very low, meaning
the throttle response is very fast.
Additionally, the prime mover notch will
be determined exclusively by speed.
Prototype Throttle Mode will add more
realistic momentum to your locomotive,
meaning you should use the train brake
or dynamic brakes to bring your engine
to a stop. In prototype mode, the notch of
the prime mover will dynamically react to
the load placed on the locomotive.
Manual Notching Throttle Mode operates
just how it sounds. Automatic notching
is disabled, meaning you are in complete
control. Using the Manual Notching
buttons (Function 10 and Function 11),
you can shift the RPM of the prime mover
at will to any of the 8 notches.

Programming Your Locomotive:
*Note that this Keep-Alive®-equipped
WOWSound® decoder may require
a programming booster for reliable
programming operations with some
systems. Visit your local hobby retailer
for more information.
Address Programming:
The default address of all DCC decoders
is 3, so you can start by placing the
locomotive on the rails and selecting
address 3 on your Command Station.
To change the address to another
number less than 126 (99 for some
Command Stations), place the locomotive
on the programming track and follow
your Command Station instructions
for programming CV 1 to your chosen
address less than 126.
For addresses higher than 126, use your
Command Station’s instructions for “long
address” programming.
Bachmann E-Z Command®:
For Bachmann’s E-Z Command®system,
simply follow your command station
instructions for programming the address
(programming track not required).
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With your locomotive addressed and
responding on the DCC mainline, press
function button 8 four times rapidly to
enter Audio Assist. Audio Assist will then
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array of features.
Resetting Your Locomotive:
To reset your locomotive to factory
default settings, you can program
CV8=2 or (while operating on DCC)
through Audio Assist.
From the Audio Assist Main Menu, the
button presses, in order, for a full factory
reset are:
Button 4 Button 3 Button 2

Running Your New Locomotive:
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with all of the settings best suited to
replicate the prototype. This means you
can place your engine on the track and
immediately start running with either a
DCC Command Station or a variable DC
power pack supporting up to 18V.
DC Operation:
Your decoder will work best in analog
mode when using an electronically
regulated power pack which supplies
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rheostat-style power packs and pulse
power packs will result in erratic and
unreliable operation. If your power pack
features a pulse power switch, leave it
in the ‘Off’ position. Using a variable DC
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WOWSound®-equipped locomotive will
come to life as soon as you place it on
the track and ramp up the power to 7.5v
and above. In DC operation, the lights,
directional horn, and bell sounds will
play automatically based on direction
and speed; a grade-crossing quill can
be triggered by quickly increasing or
decreasing the voltage.
DCC Operation:
With your locomotive address selected,
you can begin moving the locomotive
with the throttle control, and controlling
the light and sound functions with the
function buttons.

WOWSound®SC-44 Charger
Paginated Function Mappings
For E-Z Command®System
Press function button 8 twice rapidly
to switch from page 1 Sound Mode to
page 1 Light Mode. Every double press
of function button 8 after will rotate
to the next function mapping page.†
Function Page 1:
Sound Mode Light Mode
F0 Headlights On/Off (F10)
F1 Bell; Ditch Lights Blink
F2 Horn – Long; Ditch Lights Blink
F3 Horn – Short Ditch Lights
F4 Whoosh Number Board
F5 Train Brake Strobe Lights‡
F6 Prime Mover Marker Lights
F7 Dims Headlight (Rule 17)
F8
1x Press to Mute/Unmute
2x Press to rotate light/sound
mode or page
4x Press to enter Audio Assist®
† The function pagination feature found
on this decoder is designed to allow users
with E-Z Command®systems to access
more than just 9 functions. For systems
that support all function buttons, it is not
necessary to use the pagination system.
On these systems, you may use the
standard function button control method.
Each “page” of functions will correspond
to a group of up to ten functions: 0
through 9, 10 through 19, and 20 through
28.
‡ For the SC-44 Charger, the strobe lights
will match the behavior seen on the
prototype. These lights will only come
on if the locomotive is in the forward
direction, the headlight is on at full
brightness, and the ditch lights are on.

WOWSound®SC-44 Charger
Paginated Function Mappings
For E-Z Command®System
(continued)
Function Page 2:
F0 Manual Notch Up (F10)
F1 Manual Notch Down
F2 Coupler Close
F3 Coupler Release
F4 Brake Release
F5 Traction Motor Blower
F6 Momentum
F7 Crew Alert
F8
1x Press to Mute/Unmute
2x Press to rotate light/sound
mode or page
4x Press to enter Audio Assist®
Function Page 3:
F0 Grade-Crossing Quill (F10)
F1 Forward Quill
F2 Reverse Quill
F3 Stop Quill
F4 Rotate Horn/Bell
F5 Windshield Wipers
F6 Station Announcements –
Departing
F7 Station Announcements –
Arriving
F8
1x Press to Mute/Unmute
2x Press to rotate light/sound
mode or page
4x Press to enter Audio Assist®

WOWSound®SC-44 Charger
Locomotive Function Mappings
For 28-Function Systems
Function pagination will still
operate on any DCC-system, but
is not necessary to use on systems
that support all 28 functions. Press
function button 8 twice rapidly to
switch from Sound Mode to Light
Mode.
Sound Mode Functions
F0 Headlights On/Off
F1 Bell; Ditch Lights Blink
F2 Horn – Long; Ditch Lights Blink
F3 Horn – Short Blast
F4 Whoosh (run-by)
F5 Train Brake
F6 Prime Mover Ignition
F7 Dims Headlight (Rule 17)
F8
1x Press to Mute/Unmute
2x Press to rotate light/sound
mode or page
4x Press to enter Audio Assist®
F9 Dynamic Brakes
F10 Manual Notch Up
F11 Manual Notch Down
F12 Coupler Close
F13 Coupler Open
F14 Brake Release
F15 Traction Motor Blower
F16 Toggle Momentum Mode
F17 Toggle Crew Alert
F18 1x Press to Mute/Unmute
F19 Random Whoosh On/Off

Sound Mode Functions (continued):
F20 Grade-Crossing Quill
F21 Forward Quill
F22 Reverse Quill
F23 Stop Quill
F24 Rotate Horn/Bell
F25 Windshield Wipers
F26 Station Announcements –
Departing
F27 Station Announcements –
Arriving
F28 1x Press to Mute/Unmute
Light Mode Functions:
F0 Headlight
F1 Bell; Ditch Lights Blink
F2 Horn - Long; Ditch Lights Blink
F3 Ditch Lights On/Off
F4 Number Boards
F5 Disable Automatic Strobes
F6 Directional Markers
F7 Dims Headlight (Rule 17)
F8 1x Press to Mute/Unmute
F9 Interior Corridor Work Lights
F10 Ditch Lights Blink
F11 Emergency Strobe

©2020 Bachmann Industries, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
In the event you have a defective or
damaged product, do not return the
locomotive to the store where it was
purchased. After checking all procedures
listed in this guide and the warranty
included, contact us at:
Bachmann Industries, Inc.
1400 East Erie Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19124 USA
service.bachmanntrains.com
Should you need service or repairs,
please include a detailed description
of your concern and complete contact
information. For some service issues
regarding DCC sound decoders, the
Bachmann Service Department may
forward your locomotive to TCS for
resolution.
www.bachmanntrains.com
Printed in China
COMPATIBLE
WITH THE NMRA
STANDARDS AND
RECOMMENDED
PRACTICES
H679X-IS002