I purchased an Atlas n-scale engine that said decoder ready, what does that realy mean?
It means it has a plug for a decoder but you must supply and install the deocder.
It should mean that there are decoders maade for that application and the installation will be very, very easy. Usually, the decoder will be as simple as removing the DC version and installing the DCC one useing a “plug and play” style.
Simply unplug or remove the old, and plug in or clip the new. No tools, or soldering should be required. From my experince with HO (dont know much about N scale) getting the shell off is the hardest part and most time consuming of the whole process.
Most manufacturers are building all locos decoder ready. If you are sereous about this hobby and want to have some real operational fun then get yourself a DCC system.Even the cheapies are pretty good.You don’t need a decoder if you will continue to run your DC power pack, but if you want to install a decoder either ask your hobby shop for the proper unit or order from an online source. Many DCC firms make loco specific decoders that plug in.
I have many locos I have put decoders in and yes getting the shell off is a bit of a challenge.
1.Wriggle the tank off first then you can hold the frame at this point and wriggle the shell off.
2.Undo the screws at each end of the frames and seperate the frames just enough to remove the DC board that has the lights attached. The new board should tell you which side goes foreward.
3.Before installing the decoder cut the kapton tape(the little orange strip) in half and install this on the motor leads so the frame will not come into contact with it. This will insure the motor is isolated from the track power.
4.Install the decoder making sure the motor leads contact the decoder in their propr spots.
5.Put it all back tother but don’t put the shell on untill you know it all works ok and have it programed.
Get another loco with DCC and you will see how different life will be. There will be no going back.