Can't program a NOS Atlas Master Factory DCC

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I recently purchased 2 new old stock Atlas Master GP-38 locomotives with factory DCC. The units were both sealed in the boxes and I’m confident they have never been run. When I first placed each one on a DCC powered track I got the usual high pitched noise that happens when you place a DC locomotive on a DCC powered track. According to the instructions there is a jumper that must be changed from the “analog” to digital setting.

I’m certainly not an expert with DCC but I’ve managed to program a few new decoders before and adjust CV’s etc. so I’m not a complete novice.

I’m assuming here that “analog” is for DC operation and “digital” is for DCC. Is that correct?

I took the shell off of one locomotive, and the jumper was set to “analog”. I moved it to the position for “digital”. Put it back on my DCC powered track and no more noise however I can’t get it to respond to any programming, it is almost like the locomotive isn’t even there.

I have 2 DCC systems on 2 different layouts. I have an MRC prodigy express which has a program track, I’ve tried programming on both the main and the program track. I do get the little flash of the light that I’ve seen with other locomotives when programming the unit but I can’t get any functions to respond. The MRC unit doesn’t have the ability to read any info from the decoder so I can’t tell if it is able to pull any information from it.

When I try on my NEC I get no response whatsoever from the decoder, the hand unit just acts as if there is nothing on the tracks. I’ve tried programming on the main and on the programming track even though I don’t have a seperate programming track for the NEC.

I’ve tried doing a factory reset with no change.

Both of these units run fine on DC with the jumper set to “analog”, smooth

2

Are these Master “Silver” or “Gold” locomotives? If Master Silver then you need to install a decoder in the them. Only the “Gold” locomotives comes with (sound) decoders.

I just wanted to confirm that your locomotives actually came with decoders.

Tom

3

Those are early Atlas (Lenz) decoders and you are correct in the need to move that jumper plug in order to operate them on DCC.

What address are you using in your attempts to acquire the engine on your DCC system(s) ? The factory default on those decoders is 3.

Mark.

4

I’m honestly not sure. Here is the box and the inside of the locomotive.

https://flic.kr/p/2q3fz9q

https://flic.kr/p/2q3fz9W

5

[quote user=“IbanezGuiness”]

I recently purchased 2 new old stock Atlas Master GP-38 locomotives with factory DCC. The units were both sealed in the boxes and I’m confident they have never been run. When I first placed each one on a DCC powered track I got the usual high pitched noise that happens when you place a DC locomotive on a DCC powered track. According to the instructions there is a jumper that must be changed from the “analog” to digital setting.

I’m certainly not an expert with DCC but I’ve managed to program a few new decoders before and adjust CV’s etc. so I’m not a complete novice.

I’m assuming here that “analog” is for DC operation and “digital” is for DCC. Is that correct?

I took the shell off of one locomotive, and the jumper was set to “analog”. I moved it to the position for “digital”. Put it back on my DCC powered track and no more noise however I can’t get it to respond to any programming, it is almost like the locomotive isn’t even there.

I have 2 DCC systems on 2 different layouts. I have an MRC prodigy express which has a program track, I’ve tried programming on both the main and the program track. I do get the little flash of the light that I’ve seen with other locomotives when programming the unit but I can’t get any functions to respond. The MRC unit doesn’t have the ability to read any info from the decoder so I can’t tell if it is able to pull any information from it.

When I try on my NEC I get no response whatsoever from the decoder, the hand unit just acts as if there is nothing on the tracks. I’ve tried programming on the main and on the programming track even though I don’t have a seperate programming track for the NEC.

I’ve tried doing a factory reset with no change.

Both of these units run fine on DC wi

6

I believe I’ve tried address 3 and I’ve tried programming the long address to the road number but I still get no response.

Perhaps my procedure isn’t correct. Are there any instructions or a video I can watch to program these step by step? The manual doesn’t do this.

7

Wow you can just remove the dynamic brakes, that is helpful to know!

My PCB looks similar but not exact, I posted a link to a picture above.

8

While I see “Decoder Equipped” on the box, I don’t see a decoder in the photo.

Did you pick these up online - e.g. eBay? It’s possible that whoever owned them before removed the decoders and replaced them with the DC shorting plug that came with the locomotive.

Tom

9

Your handheld display should be on “0” to run the loco on DC with the jumper in the rearward postion. With the jumper in the forward postion set for DCC the default address is “3”.

10

In your photo it looks like you have the Atlas Dual-mode 4 function #342 DCC decoder. Now, none of my Atlas DCC #decoders have that round brown two legged thing that you have on your decoder in your picture on your PCB lugs going to the motor.

11

I would set the loco’s wheels down on a solid surface, hold the body securly and lift up on forward end of the DBH.

12

If he has a NCE system this does not work. NCE does not have this capability.

13

So straight out of the box I should be able to move the jumper to the correct position, set my controller to address 3, and the loco should function. Correct?

14

Correct. Decoders generally are set to the default address of “3”. If your locomotive will operate on address “3” then it should be able to be programmed.

Tom

15

I’m positive I’ve tried that but I’ll do it again to be sure.

I’ll do it on the second locomotive as well.

16

Pull the jumper out and double check that you have four (4) pins sticking out of the jumper.

17

I did that and it does. I haven’t ohmed the connections though to make sure its a good jumper, I’ll try that if all else fails.

18

Here is the decoder instruction manual in case anyone wants to view:

https://download.atlasrr.com/DCC/New%20HO%204-Function%20Manual%20Atlas.pdf

19

Hey guys, what is the purpose of this round brown two legged item on the PCB motor lugs. Could this item be messing with the programing function? I have no decoaders with that item on. I never had trouble programing (with a Lenz system) Atlas decoders.

20

I would highly recommend removing that ceramic disc capacitor between the motor terminals. It is used as a noise suppressant and is mandatory in European locomotives. It serves no real purpose here and has been known to cause interference with US DCC systems.

Mark.