Any write ups on converting Proto FAs and Atlas RS3s to DCC

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Have them both and can switch to DC on one track when I run them but it would be nice to have them DCC

2

Bob.

Try this site.

http://tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/HO_Search/search.html

A TCS decoder is fantastic for dual operations. You must leave DC enabled in CV29. Both locos you have listed are very popular change overs. The Atlas will take a TCS A4X while the P2K will take either a hard wire or simple plug in depending on which light board is factory installed.

Pete

3

Hi!

I also suggest the TCS website and I’ve used it more than once to guide me thru DCC tasks. The conversions you mention are also in my future and this website made the task much less daunting.

Wish you well - let us know how it works out!

4

Do you know which versions you have? If they are newer ones then your looking at a simple plug in decoder. If they are older models then your going to have to hard wire them in. Pop off the shells and see what you have.

5

Proto FA is over 10 years old

Atlas RS3 is 9 months old

6

I’ve used this website and found it to be very helpful. When you get to the home page click on “installations”.

7

Thanks

8

That old of an FA is probably like the power chassis in my MDC RS-3 kit, which s nearly a total Athearn clone, complete with clip on top. That one will be like a Blue Box install, you cna copy any typical Athearn Blue Box instructions. My not quite as old FA’s are the type with the square circuit board in back, those are very easy to convert although I will almost certainly hardwire the deocder in. All the wires are right there and mostly even have the proper colors.

A newer Atlas like that should have an 8 pin socket, or you can do a simple board replacement, much like the older Kato-made versions. Rather low difficulty factor here.

–Randy

9

The FA-2 / FB-2 will have to be hard-wired. DCC was still fairly new when the FA-2 was introduced.

The FA-1 / FB-1 have 8 pin sockets for plug-in type decoders.

I think all three major decoder manufacturers (Digitrax, NCE, and TCS) make direct board replacement decoders for the Atlas RS-3. No hard-wiring needed.

10

I guess I was remiss in not stating sound decoders

I can put the speaker in a car if needed