OK…I have completed a good deal of work on my new layout. My workbench is complete…roughed in mountains, hills and lakes are in place, and I have completed my track layout.
Although I still have a ton of work before I even make a dent in my scenery, I thought I owed myself a little trial “run”, so I installed my Atlas Commander and Generator, and then proceeded to install my Atlas #340 DCC decoder into my Proto 2000 Series GP9i Locomotive.
I am having a most difficult time trying to separate the locomotives body from it’s chasis so that I can install the DCC decoder. Although the diagram blowup shows a total of 4 screws holding the chasis to the body, I was only able to locate the two end screws. The diagram blow-up shows two larger screws located near the middle of the chasis, but all I see is what appear to be two holes with nothing in them. For the life of me, I cannot find or see where the other two larger screws are located!
Any help would place me forever in your debt
Bob in Brooklyn
Did you take off the fuel tank ?? I have 2 screws under there. People tell me I have a screw loose, but that’s another subject…
P2K GP9’s and GP7’s fuel tanks are fastened with double sided tape. Just gently pull the fuel tank downward and remove.
FYI: The Atlas decoder does not physically fit this locomotive. There are decoders from Digitrax and NCE made to fit this unit and allow you to use the existing 1.5 Volt lamps ( do not use 12 Volt lamps; they will get to hot and melt the plastic shell). If you use a decoder that fits the space previously occupied by the light board, you will have to use dropping resistors for the 1.5 volt lamps.
Thanks for the great reply’s. I’ll give that fuel tank a gentle pull and let you all know how I do. In the interim, PLEASE tell me that decoders from Digitrax and NCE are compatible with the Atlas Commander and Generator?
Thanks again
Bob in Brooklyn
I believe that you can find that information from the digitrax site, Bob.
www.digitrax.com and carefully read about the different type of decoders. Some are made for specific locomotives, but some are also generic enough to fit, depending on the working space you have in your loco.
All decoders are compatible with your Atlas system.
You want the Digitrax DH163L0, if this GP9 is one of the Proto2000 with the diode board and all the wires going to a small board with a socket on it. This decoder will plug right in and allow you to use the existing bulbs. It will take you longer to take the shell off than to install the decoder, and it will work fine with the Atlas system.
The NCE P2K-SR also fits in easily, but it does NOT have the on-board resistors for the light bulbs, you would also have to replace the bulbs.
If this P2K has a large circuit board with a DCC socket in it, presently opcucpied by a jumper plug for DC operation, your best bet is to discared it all and hook up any decode that fits to the proper wires directly. Those type of P2K locos have some really wierd circuitry and in the various samples i’ve converted, I did not trust this board to properly support a plug in decoder. By hooking the wires up myself, I KNOW it was right.
–Randy
Thanks to everyone who responded!
You were right! I simply removed the fuel tank which was held on by double stick tape as you said and there they were…those hidden screws I couldn’t previously find. Once removed, it was a cakewalk to remove the locomotives body from it’s chasis.
I checked out Digitrax as you all suggested as well and found that I needed their model DH163L0. The instructions they provided on site to install it had photos that EXACTLY matched what I found when I removed the body from it’s chasis. I ordered the Digitrax decoder and should have it in a few days.
Thank you again to everyone who responded. I’ll post a note when I get it installed and let you all know how things worked out.
Bob in Brooklyn
Thanks to everyone here, installing my digitrax decoder into my locomotive was a “cakewalk”…If I can do it…anyone can!
With my decoder finally installed, it was time for me to complete my Bachman EZ track connections and enjoy my first “trial run”.
My EZ track set includes: 2 left switches, 2 right switches, 1 terminal/rerailer, 1 rerailer, four switch wires (green) and two terminal wires (red)…and…I haven’t a clue how to complete all of these connections. The instruction sheet that came with my tracks does not provide much of a clue either.
Please help!
Bob in Brooklyn
You might want to go for the MTH DCS. It’s a much better command system.
Why do I even answer this drivel !!!
Since you can not purchase a DCS decoder to install in another manufacturers locomotive, just how exactly is an HO scaler supposed to adopt this amazing command system?
Since you can not purchase a DCS decoder to install in another manufacturers locomotive, just how exactly is an HO scaler supposed to adopt this amazing command system?
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You will soon find out. Stay tuned![;)]
I just recently installed an NCE decoder into a P2K GP9. My installation went well, my only problem was broken wheels. These make a sound while running that resembles a flat tire. I emailed Life Like, and they shipped me 2 sets for a total of 8 axles with no questions asked. They have had a bad run of axles, but I am glad to see their customer service is excellent. As far as the engine, it is now a beautiful looker and runner.
That’s a rather confident (some might say arrogant) statement. “Better” than every DCC system? In what way is a proprietory system that can only use equipment from one manufacturer better than a whole range of manufacturers producing interoperable equipment?