[?] I have just purchased an Athearn RTR ( 9 pin socket ) GP35, and an Atlas (Classic series ) S-4. I was wondering what decoders would be advisable for these locos for power and sound. Both are HO scale.
Thank you in advance,
Dick,
Sorry I don’t have any particular decoder recommendations for you. However, make sure for your S4 you get a decoder that has BEMF (or Back EMF), so that it starts out slooooooowly. I like my switchers to crawl. [^][tup]
Tom
Dick,
FWIW: Since there isn’t much room under the hood, I have a Lenz LE0521W Micro (N-scale) decoder installed in my Proto 2000 S1 and it works just fine. It’s not a “silent running” decoder but it’s quiet enough.
What I like about the smaller decoder is that I don’t have to hog out any material in order to fit it in. At least with the Atlas S4, you won’t have to isolate the motor from the frame.
Tom
I use TCS decoders.
For the Athearn, any of the T series decoders will plug right in to the JST harness in the loco.
The Atlas unit takes an solder in M1. Complete install instructions can be found here.
Nick
I thought one did need to isolate the motor from the frame with an Atlas S4. There is an NCE decoder, ATLS4. I comes with Kapton tape and a Plastic screw for isolating the motor.
MRC has a sound decoder, MRC 1663.
I am looking for ONE decoder for each of these two locos, motor control AND sound on one decoder. QSI is due to have one within 4 weeks now that a patent argument has been settled, and this one is supposed to be Ok for the GP35, but according to Tony there may be a “fit” problem for the S4. I don’t want to try to install two decoders into the S4 unless that is my only option. Trying to fit a motor control decoder and a sound decoder, and a small oval speaker into that S4 cavity will be a challenge. Thanks Tom et al for your suggestions, I have checked out what you guys have mentioned, and I may be forced to go the 2 decoder route if that winds up being my only option. Life in the MRR world is never easy is it ? LOL
To clarify, the MRC 1663 decoder is sound and motor control in one. See http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/product.php?productid=999002951&cat=205&page=1
for more information. It replaces the Atlas light board. I’m toying with getting one, based on the video linked to the installation pictures.
I’m working on a Proto 2000 S3. I’ve got it apart and can see I can fit a Lok Micro and it’s speaker inside. That may be a good option for you to consider.
Mark Alan
Gary: Thank you for your input, much appreciated, however, I would not touch an MRC decoder with a 10 foot pole. They have a high failure rate, there is a problem also with programming them. Check some of the the inputs on the Atlas S2 thread on this page, and others as well. I am still awaiting a reply from QSI, they have not responded to my email several days ago.