I’m talking about the late 1990’s KATO models, like their RS model and others. How easy are they to convert to DCC?
If you are talking about the RS2’s, they are easy! [:D]I cannot recall the number, but NCE makes a plug & play decoder for theKato RS2. The hardest part is getting the Kato shell off![:(!]
RSC, to be specific, but I don’t think it matters when discussing DCC.
I don’t know if the atlas dual mode ,it is supposed to be remove the old board install the new board and away you go.I bought a couple of these for some rs-11 older atlas Kato drive units but there still down low on the list of things i need to finish.Why do we have such long lists in model railroading ,layout building anyhow?
Ron,
I have had good results using Digitrax DH150K decoders in all my Stewart, Atlas Katos. Installation is not a plug and play, but is relatively simple. With Atlas or Kato hood units, do be careful removing the shell. The main problem is separating the long hood/cab from the walkways/ battery boxes- damage to the retaining clips on the hood will not have a secure shell on reassembly. When installing the board (Kato motors have 2 bronze strips for motor leads) Directions say to crimp leads over contacts. I found it necessary to solder these connections after having control problems with some of my Stewart Fs. Some applications the board will clip on, but if it is a screw down, do use an insulating washer to prevent the possibility of shorting the decoder. On time a retaining screw head bridged the circuit board.
Hope this is of some help,
Bob K.
I don’t believe the Atlas dual mode decoder will work in the origional Atlas/Kato. I wanted to use them in Stewart Fs , but the large capacitor on the board interfered with installed clearance. If the components on the board have changed in 2 years you might be able to use them.
Bob K.
I’ve had great success with the current Digitrax DH163KO drop-in board in old Kato (actually Stewart and Atlas w/Kato drives) engines, and I’m about to try the NCE DA-SR in one I haven’t converted yet. As mentioned above, the Digitrax boards have metal clips you can fold the motor leads around – the NCE has a spot for them, but doesn’t have the clips themselves, though they’ll be easy to make. Also, the Digitrax has solder pads in the center for the Kato drives that have the light bulb mounted in the center to light up both front and rear lights, such as those on the RS and GP units; the NCE doesn’t have that, but it’d be easy to use the regular front outputs and cover the bulb leads with heat shrink tubing to prevent it from shorting out when you lay it in the center. For F-units, of course, the center pad doesn’t matter.
Update: I was just on the TCS site and see that they now also make a drop-in board for Kato-based locos. It’s the A1X, and TCS makes pretty good decoders for a pretty reasonable price. I’ll definitely give this one a try too (I have a LOT of old Atlas and Stewart engines to convert. [:)]).
An NCE KRS SR decoder should drop right in! (The fog finally lifted!)
Hope they’re not too bad, I have to convert an RS-2. It’s a lot older though, probably 80’s.
No, they’ll be pretty easy, if you don’t want to bother switching to seperate forward and reverse lights. I have a bunch to do as well. One had a bum motor, hope you can still get parts for these older units.
–Randy