Bachmann Spectrum ACS-64 - HO
Information on this wiki page provides particular details about this model not found in the basic guide.
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Contents
Overview
Bachmann’s DCC sound-equipped ACS-64 uses Siemens Mobility’s original design documentation and authentic sound files recorded from the prototype. This model includes a TCS WOWSound® decoder with Audio Assist® for easy configuration without programming CVs, and on-board Keep-Alive® device for uninterrupted operation, even over dirty track. The WOWSound® electric locomotive sound package includes sounds for horn, bell, prime mover, air compressor, dynamic brakes, cooling fan, coupler close/release, brake release and application, and many more!
Loaded with prototypical features, the ACS-64 in HO-scale from Bachmann Trains brings all the sights and sounds of Siemens' sleek new electric locomotive to your layout.
Features include:
- Siemens-approved design
- DCC sound-equipped for sound, speed, direction, and lighting control
- Dual-mode NMRA-compliant decoder operates sound, motor, and lights on DCC or DC power
- TCS true CD-quality audio with 16-bit depth resolution at 44,100Hz
- Authentic and prototypical sounds
- Voice-guided Audio Assist® programming tool for easy set-up of almost all decoder functionality
- On-board Keep-Alive® device that keeps your engine running during power interruptions due to dirty track or loss of electrical contact
- Directional headlights with "Rule 17" dimming operation enabled by default
- Directional marker lights
- Steady/alternate flashing ditch lights
- TCS' industry-leading "quiet drive" Back EMF motor control for superior slow-speed performance and load compensation
- User-loadable speed table options (3-point, 28-point, and 126-point curves)
- Two configurable Momentum Modes
- TCS' new and exclusive Function Pagination System
- Die-cast frame
- Separately-applied windshield wipers and grab irons
- Realistic top speed (limited in some cases by track voltage)
Specific Features
The ACS-64 has had some customization to make it specific to the ACS-64 locomotive. The information below details where CV’s and operation differ from the standard V4 WOWSound decoder.
DC mode operation
When operating in DC mode, the ACS-64 locomotive will sit still until a sufficient track voltage is present. Once the minimum voltage is met the locomotive will begin to move. A horn blast and bell will activate automatically. Users may trigger a grade crossing horn quill sound by quickly adjusting the track voltage up and back down quickly. The directional horn blasts, quill, and automatic DC mode bell are enabled by default and are controlled by the Automatic Sounds CV.
Additional Sound Features
The ACS-64 locomotive features new sounds such as “Whoosh” and “station announcements” as well as new traction noises like “traction motor” and “traction motor gearbox." Listen for the whine of the traction motors as the ACS-64 takes off! As the locomotive climbs toward 125 MPH, the traction motors are drowned out as the noise from the gearbox hardware hums ever louder.
New Features in Version 2
Version 2 of the ACS-64 introduces a few new features, and makes improvements to some areas.
New Sounds
Version 2 sound set of the ACS-64 adds:
- One new Air Compressor type (total of 2)
- Three new Horn types, including a quilled horn recording from SEPTA #905
- New Brake squeal sounds
- New Traction Motor sounds for high speed - now transitions between low-speed and high speed whine
New Traction Motor Blower Behavior
Version 2 of the ACS-64 includes a brand new traction motor blower sounds. The blowers now accurately portray their real-life behavior, with three distinct levels of operation - off, low, and high.
If the locomotive is idle for a period of time, the traction motor blows will come on at the "low" level, then spin down after some time. After a short time while the locomotive is moving, the traction motor blowers will spin up to their "high" level and continue to play while the locomotive is moving. Several seconds after coming to a stop, the traction motors will "cool down" and the blowers will spin down.
Button Mappings
The values outlined below in the button mapping, sound list, and CV values are the defaults assigned to this particular decoder from the factory.
For information on how to program your locomotive using the values provided in the charts below, please see our Comprehensive Programming Guide, WOWElectric V1 Programming Guide, and/or List of Standard CV's.
TCS Function Pagination System
The Bachmann Spectrum ACS-64 - HO locomotive supports TCS' new "function pagination" system. This makes it easy to access all 28 functions and all lighting effects on throttles with limited function access by adding an offset to the pressed function button (offset of +10 for function page 2; offset of +20 for function page 3). For example, to access function 15:
- Press Button 8 on your throttle twice to rotate through the function pages until the decoder announces "function page [two]"
- Press Button 5 on your throttle/controller
- The decoder will activate function 5 + 10 (page 2 offset) = 15
Note: the decoder supports accessing functions above 9 at any time by pressing the corresponding button(s) on your throttle regardless of the currently selected function page.
If you have a command station which supports all 28 function buttons and would like to disable function pagination, this may be done by re-configuring the User Options indexed CV 4:19. For more information on the User Options indexed CV for Version 4 WOWSound Electric decoders, please see Page 15 of the WOWElectric V1 Programming Guide. This document can be used in conjunction with the Indexed CV Addendum below.
To disable Function Pagination, you must first have a ACS-64 decoder with a manufactured date which falls within or after the Second Run (After January 18th 2021). First Run ACS-64 decoders do not support the option to disable Function Pagination. Set the values of the Indexed CV as follows:
- CV 201 = 4
- CV 202 = 19
- CV 203 = 142
- CV 204 = 248
| Button Mappings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Function Button | Sound Action | Light Action | Dual Enabled | Page and Button |
| 0 | None | Headlights | Yes | Page 1 Button 0 |
| 1 | Bell | Blink Ditch Lights | Yes | Page 1 Button 1 |
| 2 | Horn - Long Blast | Blink Ditch Lights | Yes | Page 1 Button 2 |
| 3 | Horn - Short Blast | Ditch Lights (on/off) | No | Page 1 Button 3 |
| 4 | Whoosh | None | No | Page 1 Button 4 |
| 5 | None | Blink Ditch Lights | Yes | Page 1 Button 5 |
| 6 | Startup/Shutdown | Marker Lights (on/off) | No | Page 1 Button 6 |
| 7 | None | Dim Headlights | Yes | Page 1 Button 7 |
| 8 | 1x Press Mute/Unmute 2x Press rotate light/sound mode or page 4x Press Audio Assist™ |
None | Yes | Page 1 Button 8 |
| 9 | None | None | No | Page 1 Button 9 |
| 10 | Power Inverter Cooling Fan | None | No | Page 2 Button 0 |
| 11 | Pantograph Up/Down | Emergency Strobe (on/off) (or with 5x brake press or with E-STOP function) | No | Page 2 Button 1 |
| 12 | Coupler Close | None | No | Page 2 Button 2 |
| 13 | Coupler Release | None | No | Page 2 Button 3 |
| 14 | Brake Release | None | No | Page 2 Button 4 |
| 15 | Apply Brakes | None | No | Page 2 Button 5 |
| 16 | Momentum | None | No | Page 2 Button 6 |
| 17 | Crew Alert | None | No | Page 2 Button 7 |
| 18 | 1x Press Mute/Unmute 2x Press rotate light/sound mode or page 4x Press Audio Assist™ |
None | No | Page 2 Button 8 |
| 19 | Random Whoosh (on/off) | None | No | Page 2 Button 9 |
| 20 | Grade Crossing Quill | None | No | Page 3 Button 0 |
| 21 | Forward Quill | None | No | Page 3 Button 1 |
| 22 | Reverse Quill | None | No | Page 3 Button 2 |
| 23 | Stop Horn | None | No | Page 3 Button 3 |
| 24 | Rotate Bell/Horn | None | No | Page 3 Button 4 |
| 25 | Windshield Wipers | None | No | Page 3 Button 5 |
| 26 | Station Announcements Departing | None | No | Page 3 Button 6 |
| 27 | Station Announcements Arriving | None | No | Page 3 Button 7 |
| 28 | 1x Press Mute/Unmute 2x Press rotate light/sound mode or page 4x Press Audio Assist™ |
None | No | Page 3 Button 8 |
| Random Sound Mapping | |
|---|---|
| Random Sound Generator |
Sound Played |
| 1 | Air Compressor |
| 2 | Power Converter Blower |
| 3 | Traction Motor Blower |
| 4 | None; otherwise "Random Whoosh" when enabled with F19 |
Sound List
ACS-64 Version 1 Sound List
Not currently Available
ACS-64 Version 2 Sound List
| Sound Type | Type # | Sound Number | High Byte | Low Byte | Sounds Available |
| Air Compressor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Siemens Air Compressor 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | Siemens Air Compressor 2 | ||
| Air Spitter | 2 | N/A | NONE | ||
| Bell | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | E-Bell |
| Brake Release | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Brake Release |
| Brake Squeal | 5 | 4 | 0 | 4 | Brake Squeal ** |
| Catenary Up/Down | 6 | 34 | 0 | 34 | Catenary Up/Down ** |
| Cooling Fan | 7 | 42 | 0 | 42 | Power Converter Blower ** |
| Coupler Clank | 8 | 44 | 0 | 44 | Coupler Clank Closed |
| 45 | 0 | 45 | Coupler Clank Open | ||
| Crew Alert | 9 | 46 | 0 | 46 | |
| Direction Change | 10 | N/A | |||
| Dynamic Brake | 11 | N/A | NONE | ||
| Horn Forward Quill * | 12 | 47 | 0 | 47 | Forward Sound ** |
| Horn Long * | 13 | 61 | 0 | 61 | Horn Long ** |
| Horn Quill * | 14 | 75 | 0 | 75 | Horn Quill ** |
| Horn Short * | 15 | 117 | 0 | 117 | Horn Short ** |
| Idling Sounds * | 16 | 131 | 0 | 131 | Startup and Idle Sounds 1 |
| 132 | 0 | 132 | Startup and Idle Sounds 2 | ||
| Momentum | 17 | 133 | 0 | 133 | Momentum Mode Selection ** |
| Mute | 18 | 135 | 0 | 135 | Mute All Sounds |
| Horn Reverse Quill * | 19 | 136 | 0 | 136 | Reverse Sound ** |
| Rotate Feature | 20 | 150 | 0 | 150 | Rotate Last Sound ** |
| Sanding Valve | 21 | N/A | NONE | ||
| Arriving Announcements | 22 | 164 | 0 | 164 | Station announcements ** |
| Departing Announcements | 23 | 170 | 0 | 170 | Station announcements ** |
| Stop Sound * | 24 | 176 | 0 | 176 | Stop Sound ** |
| Traction Motor * | 25 | N/A | Siemens Traction Motor 1 | ||
| N/A | Siemens Traction Motor 2 | ||||
| Traction Motor Blower | 26 | 192 | 0 | 192 | Siemens Traction Motor Blower 1 |
| 193 | 0 | 193 | Siemens Traction Motor Blower 2 | ||
| 194 | 0 | 194 | Siemens Traction Motor Blower 3 | ||
| Traction Motor Gearbox | 27 | 195 | 0 | 195 | ACS-64 Traction Motor Gearbox |
| Whoosh | 28 | 196 | 0 | 196 | Whoosh ** |
| Windshield Wipers | 29 | 206 | 0 | 206 | Windshield Wiper |
*For Sound Types marked with this, such as Traction Motor, Traction Motor Blower, and Horn, reprogramming using the corresponding "pointer" indexed CV from the Indexed CV's table.
**For Sound Types marked with this, use only the specified high and low byte values when mapping the sound to a button.
CV Addendum (Standard CV's)
The ACS-64 follows the motor and lighting CV's as described in TCS' List of Standard CV's and the Comprehensive Programming Guide. Listed below are the CV's that have been modified for the ACS-64 decoder:
| CV Number | CV Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CV3 | 6 | Acceleration |
| CV4 | 6 | Deceleration |
| CV13 | 255 | DC Mode lights |
| CV29 | 6 | Configuration Options 1 |
| CV35 | 16 | Light output 1 mapped to F3 |
| CV36 | 16 | Light output 2 mapped to F3 |
| CV39 | 16 | Light output 3 mapped to F3 |
| CV40 | 16 | Light Output 4 Mapped to F3 |
| CV43 | 128* | Light Output 5 Mapped to F6 - *Cannot be modified |
| CV44 | 128* | Light Output 6 Mapped to F6 - *Cannot be modified |
| CV49 | 40 | Front headlight uses Rule 17 |
| CV50 | 40 | Rear headlight uses Rule 17 |
| CV51 | 10 | Light output 1 is a Ditch light in forward |
| CV52 | 11 | Light output 2 is a Ditch light in forward |
| CV53 | 26 | Light output 3 is a Ditch Light in reverse |
| CV54 | 27 | Light Output 4 is a Ditch Light in reverse |
| CV55 | 16* | Forward Marker Light (on in Reverse) - *Cannot be modified |
| CV58 | 0* | Reverse Marker Light (on in Forward) - *Cannot be modified |
| CV61 | 41 | Configuration Options 2 |
| CV63 | 10 | Ditch light blink holdover time |
| CV117 | 221 | Ditch light blink rate |
| CV123 | 0 | Rule 17 Dimmer (F0-F6) - Default does not dim on F0-F6 |
| CV124 | 76 | Ditch lights blink Button (F0-F6) - Default on buttons 1, and 2 |
| CV158 | 4 | Rule 17 Dimmer (F7-F12) - Default enables Rule17 dimming on F7 |
| CV248 | 1 / 2 | Sound Set Revision Identifier. First to Third Run = 1, Fourth Run = 2 |
| CV249 | 220 | Hardware ID number - Bachmann Spectrum ACS-64 - HO |
CV Addendum (Indexed CV's)
The ACS-64 follows the motor and lighting CV's as described in TCS's WOWElectric Programming Guide. Listed below are the TCS Indexed CV's for VERSION 2 of the ACS-64 decoder:
Sound CV's
The table below lists all of the Indexed CV's used to configure "sound-related features" of the decoder. To use the information in this table, first program CV 204 with a value of 4, CV 202 with the value shown in the first column, and then use CV 203 and CV 204 to change the configuration.
| Indexed CV
(CV202) |
Indexed CV Value (CV203,CV204) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0,7 | Active Quill - This CV selects which Quills can play if the Grade X Quill button is pressed. TCS decoders include up to 3 unique quills for each horn type. Bit 7 will randomize which order the quills play in if set; otherwise, they will play in order.
(0) Use Quill 1 (1) Use Quill 2 (2) Use Quill 3 (7) Randomize Quills when played |
| 2 | 0,110 | Random Sound 1 Frequency (Air Compressor) |
| 3 | 0,100 | Random Sound 2 Frequency (Power Converter Blower) |
| 4 | 0,80 | Random Sound 2 Frequency (Traction Motor Blower) |
| 5 | 0,255 | Random Sound 4 Frequency (Default - not used)
NOTE: This channel is used/overwritten when the "Random Whoosh" function is activated |
| 6 | 3,3 | Random Sound Overall Frequency |
| 7 | 0,15 | Random Sound Cutout Speed Step (Default - Speed Step 15) |
| 8 | V1: 0,3
V2: 0,6 |
Horn Selection |
| 9 | 0,1 | Throttle Mode - Not Used |
| 10 | 0,100 | Master Volume |
| 11 | V2=0,1 | Traction Motor Selection
VERSION 2 ONLY - NOT USED IN V1 - Only one Traction Motor sound is available in Version 1 the ACS-64 decoder |
| 12 | 255,2 | Automatic and DC Mode Sounds
(0) CREW ALERT ACTIVE (1)* ENABLE DC MODE GRADE X QUILL (2) NOT USED (3) AUTOMATIC DCC MODE BELL (4) AUTOMATIC DCC MODE FORWARD HORN QUILL (5) AUTOMATIC DCC MODE REVERSE HORN QUILL (6) AUTOMATIC DCC MODE STOP HORN BLAST (7) ENABLE DIRECTION CHANGE SOUND (8)* ENABLE RANDOM SOUND 1 CHANNEL (9)* ENABLE RANDOM SOUND 2 CHANNEL (10)* ENABLE RANDOM SOUND 3 CHANNEL (11)* ENABLE RANDOM SOUND 4 CHANNEL (12)* ENABLE DC MODE AUTOMATIC BELL (13)* ENABLE DC MODE FORWARD SOUND (14)* ENABLE DC MODE REVERSE SOUND (15)* ENABLE DC MODE STOP SOUND CV 203 = 255 + CV 204 = 2 will enable all DC mode automatic sounds only |
| 13 | 0,30 | Brake Grinding Start Speed - Speed step at which the brake squeal sound will switch from train brake sounds to locomotive disc brake squeal sounds |
| 14 | 3,79 | Dual Enabled Functions
(0)* F0F (1)* F0R (2)* F1 (3)* F2 (4) F3 (5) F4 (6)* F5 (7) F6 (8)* F7 (9)* F8 (10) F9 (11) F10 (12) F11 (13) F12 (14) [reserved] (15) [reserved] ACS-64 default is F0F, F0R, F1, F2, F5, F7, and F8 |
| 15 -> 18 | NOT USED | |
| 19 | V1: 18,251
V2: 192,248 |
"USER OPTIONS" Indexed CV - bitwise (inclusive selection):
(0) Not Used (1) Not Used (2) Mute on startup/engine auto start mute if set (3) Enable switching/mainline mode audio feedback (4) Enable Rotate horn/bell audio feedback (5)* Enable light mode/sound mode audio feedback (6) Enable Audio auto shutoff timer (7)* Digitrax bit-set simulates button 2 as toggle while in A.A. mode (8) Not Used (9) Not Used (10) Reverse directional horns (11) Not Used (12) Not Used (13) Not Used (14) Enable Bachmann Function Pagination (Not available in First Run models) (15) Grade Crossing Quill sound blinks ditch lights (Not available in First Run models) ACS-64 First Run default 4859 [00010010 11111011], (Enables all audio feedback options, Momentary F2 in AA, Mainline mode) ACS-64 Second Run default 49400 [11000000 11111000], (Same as above except: ADD Function Pagination and Ditch Light Quill Blink) |
| 20 | 0,0 | Idling Sound Selection
VERSION 2 ONLY - Valid Values are 0 or 1 |
| 21 | 10,40 | Automatic Audio Shutoff Timer - Mutes the decoder after the configured amount of time
Default is approximately 15 minutes |
| 23 | 0,0 | Bell Selection - Only 1 bell available (E-bell) |
| 24 -> 42 | NOT USED | |
| 43 | 5,20 | DC Mode start voltage – Voltage at which the engine will start making noise in DC mode, the higher the value the higher the voltage |
| 44 | 5,100 | Voltage at which the DC mode bell will stop playing, the higher the value the higher the voltage threshold. |
| 45 | 15 | Speed step in DCC mode that the automatic bell will stop playing at |
| 46 | V1: 1,100
V2: 0,200 |
DC Mode motor hysteresis – When the engine starts moving in DC mode the increased current draw may cause some oscillation.
If so, increase the value in this CV until the oscillation goes away. If the engine is going through a power on reset try increasing Sound CV 43 (Voltage at which the Engine will power up at while in DC mode) |
| 47 | NOT USED | |
| 48 | V2: 15,160 | VERSION 2 ONLY - Traction Motor Minimum Volume - The minimum volume the traction motor is allowed to fade out to |
| 49 | NOT USED | |
| 50 | 6 | “Switching" momentum mode acceleration value |
| 51 | 6 | “Switching" momentum mode deceleration value |
| 52 | 20 | “Mainline" momentum mode acceleration value |
| 53 | 60 | “Mainline" momentum mode deceleration value |
| 54 | 0,126 | VERSION 2 ONLY - Traction Motor Fade-Out Speed Step - Speed step at which the Traction Motor sound will be completely faded into Gearbox sound |
| 55 | 0,80 | VERSION 2 ONLY - Traction Motor Gearbox Starting Speed Step - Speed step at which the Traction Motor Gearbox sound will begin fading into the Traction Motor sound |
| 56 | 0,0 | Traction Motor Gearbox Minimum Volume - The volume at which the Traction Motor Gearbox sound will begin to fade in from
NOTE: It is not recommended to change this CV |
| 57 | NOT USED | |
| 58 | 0,7 | High Horn Threshold (5mph safety switch)
Speed step at which the decoder will begin playing the High-Pressure Horn. When the speed is set to below this value, the decoder will use the low-pressure horn. A value of 0 disables this feature, and the high horn will always play. A value of 1 will only play the low horn when stationary. (Valid Values = 0-126) VERSION 2+ ONLY NOTE: This feature only applies to specific horns, and does not apply to all horn sets available on this decoder. |
| 59 | 0,2
VERSION 2+ ONLY |
Traction Motor Blower Selection - Selects which Traction Motor Blower sound is played while moving
0 = Siemens Traction Motor Blower 1 | 1 = Siemens Traction Motor Blower 2 | 2 = Siemens Traction Motor Blower 3 |
Horn Type Selection
The table below lists all of the available Horns on the ACS-64 in VERSION 2
| Indexed CV 4:8 Value | Active Horn |
|---|---|
| 0 | Leslie RS5T |
| 1 | Nathan K5H |
| 2 | Nathan K5HL |
| 3 | Nathan K5LA High-Pressure Horn |
| 4 | Nathan K5LA Low-Pressure Horn |
| 5 | ACS-64 Dynamic Horn |
| 6 (default) | ACS-64 High-Pressure Horn |
| 7 | ACS-64 Low-Pressure Horn |
| 8 | Nathan K5LA Type 1 |
| 9 | Nathan K5LA Type 2 |
| 10 | Nathan K5LLA |
| 11 | Nathan M5 |
| 12 | Nathan P5 |
| 13 | Nathan P5 - Australian |
Quick Start Guide
Downloads:
Demonstration
Decoder Service and Repair
For service/repair, contact the Bachmann Service Department by visiting www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/service.php, calling 1-800-356-3910 (toll-free within the U.S. and Canada), or emailing service@bachmanntrains.com. Bachmann’s Service Department is available Monday thru Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM ET.
You can also send your locomotive to: Bachmann Trains Service Department 1400 East Erie Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124
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.
