ATLAS, DCC decoders

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have found, the hard way, that the new Atlas decoders do not fit into many HO locos, as the design (of the decoder) is to high (thick) and hits the top of engine shells keeping them from going back on the engine. In fact, the primary offending item is the very plug that allows DCC operation. Any suggestions or similar experience???

thanks , Ken

2

Ken:

Atlas found that out after they released the product. As a matter of fact, it doesnt fit in all of their own locomotives. They had redesigned that initial release of product and now call it part 341 instead of 340. You can tell the difference because they lowered the socket and moved its location on the board. You might want to contact Atlas at www.Atlas.com and they might swap them out for you. The Atlas decoders are nice if you are switching between DC and DCC as they dont have that initial 5volt drop on DC as other decoders have that automatically switch for you. NCE ( Northcoast Engineering) has a decoder of the same shape that will automatically switch from DCC to DC for about the same price. www.NCEDCC.com

Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Mike Tyl
Green Diamond Hobbies
greendiamond@msn.com

3

thanks for your kind input. the decoder I had was packaged as a #340, I sent it back and they sent it back to me w a note claiming that "it IS their newer low profile one - so where is the #341??? I don’t get it? I have an MRC DCC right now, but plan to switch to the Atlas system, if I could find the article in MR again, this web site does not ID articles, as they claimed it would… What do you mean by a 5 v drop, would it apply to me, all me locos have decoders in them, some MRC, most Digitrax - but the MRC system only goes to 28 steps - hence, my plan to move up to Atlas…

thanks

ken

4

5 volt drop = It takes approximately 5 volts if running on regular DC power to get locos moving if they have decoders that automatically switch between DC and DCC.