does anyone know what type of snubber should be used on an atlas master dcc system?
What trouble are you having that you think you need a snubber ?
Mark.
its distorting signals to my dcc sound equipped engines, i won’t have any power applied to a locomotive and it will move for short distance, or the bell or horn will sound even when i haven’t even hit function 1 or 2, i’m not sure if i need a snubber that can help keep my system from distorting the dcc signals or it is in my decoder
Nice link, but is the original poster having any of these problems ? I’m still using an Atlas Master Controller on a 24 X 25 foot layout running three wireless throttles and have never experienced any of these problems requiring a snubber. (?)
It’s really no different than those recommendations you need to have feeder wires to EVERY piece of track. Sure, it doesn’t hurt, but it’s not necessary either - there reaches a point of paranoid overkill. If you are noticing problems, then look into the corrections.
If everything is working as it should and you are experiencing no problems, why fix it ?
“They” say not to loop the buss wires back to where they start … I did that to mine twelve years ago, not knowing that it was recommended not to … it’s still looped back to itself twelve years later and has never caused any problem, so I never “fixed” it.
Mark.
Have you adjusted CV 29 such that the locos run on DCC only?
Snubbers are so easy to build and install, so, why not just do it? See if it solves the problem. Who knows what conditions exist in the OP’s layout room that may be interfering with flawless performance?
Rich
You know it is distorted how? Have you used a scope to see what is happening?
Very likely there is another problem, and adding a termination isn’t going to solve that. Some manufacturers do not recommend them either.
Highly unlikely that a distorted signal would be interpreted as a valid DCC packet. The odds of it happening are very unlikely.
Do you have the decoders set for DCC only? Do you have analog capability which may be active? It is also possible the decoder has problems or the memory has become corrupted.
well since all of my locomotives are having the same problem, I figure it cannot be that all of my decoders have gone bad. There is a definite spike in voltage during a typical operating session. I use to have an NCE system and never had the problems I am having with the Atlas master system
This tends to indicate to me that something is faulty with your Atlas Master system or there is something in or near your layout that is causing electrical problems not related to DCC.
I doubt that a snubber is going to help matters, but connecting your Atlas Master to a high-quality surge suppressor may solve the problem. Also make absolutely sure your Atlas Master is connected to a properly grounded electrical outlet.
Something else too - I had forgotten I had done this it was so long ago …
The Atlas Commander track voltage runs on the high side to what is considered normal. You really should lower the output voltage. Prior to doing this, I did have a number of strange things happen during an operating session like runaways and functions turning themselves on and off . Atlas has a how-to on their site …
http://www.atlasrr.com/voltage.htm
Without lowering the voltage, the track voltage from the Commander will be pushing 18 volts - which is too high. A voltage spike on 18 volts will be well beyond what most decoders can tolerate. You can still try the snubber if you want - it won’t hurt anything, but you really do need to lower the output voltage.
Mark.
thanks for all of the input and links! it has made my trains operate much better!