Atlas Atlasmaster DCC System Commander

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I have a few questions.

Scale is HO

Era is late 1940’s into mid 1950’s done in a PRR theme.

I have TWO Atlas DCC system Commanders and two Atlasmaster DCC system generators.

Are the Atlas Commanders compatible with Digitrax equipment?

Or do I set them on the shelf and go buy all new Digitrax equipment?

I am pondering at least two reversing loops, one at each end of the tables, so will want automatic reversing circuitry adapters.

Tonight 1-13-07 I finished building my train tables and am still working on a layout plan.

I have 3 -6 foot wide by 8 foot long tables ( all 2 inch thick pink foam tops), bed frame lattice work underneath, 2x4 braced legs, all very sturdy, so my total tabletop space is 6 feet by 24 feet .

Pondering where my Walthers 130 foot turntable will be placed along with my roundhouse and service yard.

Right now I am consdering several different track plans or if you had this space, what would you design?

Table height is 45 inches off the floor and expandable off of both ends into an additional around the wall layout possibly to be added later on.

Layout is situated so that I can walk COMPLETELY around it., so can reach into the center of it from both sides.

Then there are boo koo kits setting on my workshop shelves awaiting to be built along with already built stuff purchased on Ebay, and train shows, cars, engines, freight cars, etc.

Plus 5,---- yeppirree!!!, count them, FIVE BLI PRR steamers waiting to make their maiden run on my future layout.

2 T1’s , an M1a, an M1b, and a J1 along with 2 Proto 2000 2-8-8-2’s, and two IHC Mountain steamers I would like to put DCC and sound into.

Any suggestions or ideas?

I’m a very open minded guy, been watchig, reading , and learning from this forum for a couple of years now.

Best wishes to everyone!

Ed aka TheK4Kid

Working

2

How did this happen?

Depends on what compatiblity you are talking about. Digitrax decoders will work fine with any DCC command system. Digitrax Throttles are LocoNet and won’t work with the Atlas Express Net throttle system.

Any brand of DCC auto reverser will work with the Atlas system.

3

Thanks for your reply Texas Zepher

Ed

4

An actual power booster like the DB150 or just a power supply like the PS515?

I use the Digitrax power supplies (PS515s) for my Lenz system (the company that makes the Atlas unit). But as the DB150 is advertised as a booster AND a command station, I am doubful it could be used with anything else. The DB200 on the other hand is just a booster, so I am GUESSING there is a standard DCC sync that the Atlas would send to the DB200 that would make it work. One would have to study the manual of both units and/or ask the vendors directly if they would work together.

5

I just want to be able to run 3 to 5 trains at a time without a power problem.

I have been told that Atlas at 3 amps could have a problem, but Digitrax could handle it.

That’s why i am asking. I am not very familiar with Digitrax equipment.

6

Ed,

I am a big fan of Digitrax and use their equipment myself. As has been stated certain element of Digitrax equipment would work with your Atlas system. Decoders , reverse loops and other ancillary equipment. But, as is the case with most DCC manufacturers the real meat of the system (Throttles, command stations, power boosters) can not be interchanged and combined into a system. However, if you are keen to expand your system and continue to use your Atlas equipment you may be in luck. The Atlas system was designed for them by Lenz. Lenz are one of the premier DCC manufacturers and have some excellent systems. I am no Lenz expert, but I believe that other elements of the Lenz system is fully compatible with the Atlas system. I would suggest you speak to some experts on this. One of the better known Lenz DCC dealers is Peach Creek in MD. http://www.peachcreekshops.com/ I would give them a call, or any other Lenz dealer of your choice and find out what your options are.

Having said all that, unless you are running some real power hungry locos your 3 Amps will easily run 3 to 5 locos. Even sound units don’t pull anywhere near an Amp so IMO you will experience no power problems with the number of locos you want to run. My 2.5A Zephyr handles 10 running at once without a problem.

7

The Atlas DCC systems are made by Lenz, so if you want to stick with the Atlas products you need to check Lenz components for compatibility as far as the components being able to talk to each other over a network.

8

Thanks Simon and cacole,

Your help is appreciated.

Ed

9

Ah, I see. It would actually depend on how many locomotives are on each of those trains. If they just have one or two “modern in model terms” locomotives on each then 3 amps should be fine. If the locomotives are older, or there are three and four powered units on each train then yes you might need more power.

However, the first thing to do would be to check and see how the two Atlas units could be hooked to work together. If I have my Atlas terminology correct then the same commander should be able to control both generators. That would be 6 amps available from the equipment you already have.

10

The Generator is just a power supply. All the command station and booster functionality is in the Commander. You can add additional boosters to the Commander system, evn the Digitrax DB150 - yes the DB150 has command station functionality, but it easily disabled to use the DB150 as a booster only.

The problem with all the sound locos and the Commander is the limited functionality. 2 digit addressing and 4 functions isn’t really enough any more. You can expand and stay with the same system by adding Lenz components. I do not think the Commander console works in such an expanded system though, and just becomes surplus. If you switch to Digitrax, all the Atlas equipment becomes surplus, but any Digitrax equipment would work going forward for the foreseeable future as you expand even more.

–Randy

11

I have those same BLI locos, and had a temporary table using six 6’8"x24" hollow core doors laid on an old benchwork frame. Right off you are gonna hate seeing those elegant Ts and Js come out of a curve and go right into another one! I had 24" Atlas code 83 curves with room for precious little straight between the two to keep inside the 6"8" side. I got tired of that in about two days.

I have a 15’x19’ room, and am now using the doors as shelves around the walls. My 24" curves are now the minimum centers of 1in18" (appx) easements with about 9’ between 90deg curves, and as a bonus, I still have a 12’x15’ room in the center!

As for your Atlas system, Lens is the manufacturer, and the protocol is expressnet, I think. I had one of those a while back, but wanted 4 digit addressing and multiple throttles. I could have bought Lenz throttles, and gone that route, but the non full circle knobs bothered me as well, and I didn’t like the programming. I ended up trading it in for an MRC Prodigy Advance and a second throttle for about the same price. Lenz does make what appears to be one of the best reversing units, although I think it is brand independant, as are nearly all decoders.

I have all those locos plus more, eight right now, but 12 or more in the past, and have no problem running 3 or 4 at a time (that’s all I can kep track of mentally, and reflex wise). I believe it’s load on motor related, ie stall current. If you’re running Looooooong trains or going up up steep grades, with four or five trains, you might be getting close.

You’ll want to grab some Walthers N6b and Bowser N5 series cabooses, and Centraillia shops P85’s for your T1. All excellent!!

12

You can use two Commanders together. One is the master and the other would be called a slave commader. You don’t have to connect a generator to the slave unless you want to use the slave for programming. If you do that you can run locos with the master while programming with the slave.

You don’t gain any power by using two Commnander together. You still have only 2.5 amps, which will easily run 5 or more locos.

With Commanders you have a fixed cab situation. If you want walk-around capability you must add a tethered throttle, like the Lenz LH90. I believe that even though the LH90 can handle 9 functions, you will be limited by the Commander’s 5 function maximum. Functions F0-F4 is no problem with sound if all you basically want are lights, horn and bell. But, one problem with sound would be if you need F8 or F12 to mute sound on some locos, which you will want to do if running several at once. Some locos will let you mute with a double-click of F0 instead of F12.

If you want to step up to a more powerful and full functioned Lenz system, the Commanders can still be used as extra thottles and the generators would not be needed.

I guess you just need to try to think long range as to whether you want sound, walk-around throttle capability, radio throttle capability, eventual power needs, etc. You can have it all with Lenz, except radio can get expensive (using CVP radio throttles). You would have the option of the of the Lenz cordless phone throttle which works well but many people prefer a knob throttle for switching instead of all the button pushing on the phones.

13

TheK4Kid:

I’m sorry but I was busy watching football and didn’t carefully read your original post. Obviously you’re going to have sound and want walk-around throtlte capability. Another question would be whether you will be operating solo or have several operators running at the same time.

I have kind of a similar situation. I started with an Atlas Comander and have a 6’ x 18’ table top layout. I do run solo. I upgraded to a Lenz Set 100, which has an excellent tethered throttle. I use the Commander as an extra throttle and have the Lenz computer interface and programs that provide a whole bunch of computer throttles and DCC turnout control.

I also have the Lenz cordless phone throttle so I can run trains while walking around the layout. This works and is okay but lately I’ve been strongly considering the new CVP 9000 radio throttle, which they do make to use with the Lenz system. But, this would cost $320 for the receiver and one throttle. This is more than I paid for the Lenz system. They make a less expensive radio throttle but it doesn’t have a display and lacks other features that I would like.

Another option would be the Lenz LH90 throttle which is tethered and requires plugging in at various spots around the layount. Ease of operation would not be a good as the CVP.

So, if I had it to do all over again I would strongly consider selling the Commander (would work great for a small non-sound layout) and consider either Digitrax or NCE radio systems, and maybe the CVP complete radio system. But with radio, I understand that there can be some lag in throttle response and possible interference from other electronic devices. But don’t let me discourage you on this because I’m not sure if these are serious concerns. Maybe someone else can help on this as it would help me to make my decision as well.

I know that with Digitrax radio you have to briefly plug i

14

Thanks to all of you for your input.

The LHS hasn’t been able to help, as their personell have limited knowlegdge on this stuff.

I will operate almost exclusively solo, maybe a buddy over once in awhile, but no multiple operator setups.

3 to 5 trains running at once is plenty.

I have almost exclusively steamers, 5 of them being BLI with DCC and sound.

Table is 24 feet long, 6 feet wide so radius is no problem.

Just finished the tables, so track laying is next.

All I am trying to do is ask questions and learn

By readiing your inputs, I am learning, also have the BIG BOOK of DCC by Digitrax and a newer one by Kalmbach about DCC Projects.

Still reading both of them and trying to learn.

Also have a lot of Kalmbach books on various MR projects, scenery, track laying, and on and on.

I am an MR subscriber, and also of this forum, so I have been learning and will continue to learn as I go.

I am 55 years old, and have been a model train bnut since age 5 when my Grandpa who worked at Sears and Roebuck , got tired of me running around his roofing and hardware department,( at Christmas time 1956) and put me with the guy who was running the Lionel Trains in the stores display windows setup.

I think there was three or four trains all running at once.

I can still see and hear those trains like it was only yeserday!!!

I WAS HOOKED a Model Train ADDICT since then.

Finally life has allowed me to build a layout in my basement, a long time dream coming true!!!

So here I am asking questions, and just trying to have some fun!

Thanks to all of you for your help!

I am sure I’ll have more questions along the way, and hopefully can help others as well .

My Dad and two of my Uncles worked on the Pennsy when I was young, so I have chosen the PRR as my main theme. I may throw in some Nickel Plate for good measure, since it also ran through Ft Wayne Indiana.

I also still recal