I have an Atlas H16-44 and according to the box, it is 'decoder ready'. But why do they not tell me what kind of decoder to plug in??? I can't find it on the website of Atlas, nor on the site of Lenz. Is there someone who knows what should be the best decoder for this engine?
Thieu: In order for you to get the running lights to run on this loco, you'll have to order the decoder through the Atlas Parts department. They should have that decoder listed when you do a search for the Atlas H-16-44 in the parts dept. You could use a Digitrax decoder but you'll have a difficult time wiring the extra lighting. Lenz makes the decoder that Atlas uses specifically for this loco. Stay cool and run steam......
Bob Lets not forget that if is the LEX063, it is an older decoder and not all the whistles are availablle such as BEMF.
Owen: It isn't an older decoder. You can order the proper decoder on the Atlas site. The decoders in all Atlas loco's new and old don't come with a BEMF feature.This decoder specifically works the running lights of the H-16-44. Stay cool and run steam.....
Thieu: I knew the deocder for the Atlas H16-44 was listed on their site. Have fun.... Stay cool and run steam....
Resurrecting this old thread, but I remember seeing someone post in the Atlas forums that TCE was supposed to release a compatible decoder for this engine. Anyone know if anything happened with that?
I would be the one who talked to John at TCS about these, and other decoder enhancements. I was told that they were working on it, but I suspect they have gone nowhere on it. Nothing John has told me has come true. So I would not hold my breath for them to come out with decoders specially for the FM series Atlas locomotives. The Atlas decoders are only good for the marker lights, and for the $40 cost, you would be better off buying any other decoder for this unit, getting a pair of R/G LED's from Richmond Controls and wiring them up to the extra function pads.
Hmm, I'm sorry to hear this. Is the Atlas decoder any good at all for motor control? If I went the route you suggest David, I'd need a four function decoder right? Wouldn't it be hard to cram white, and R/G LEDs on both ends to get all the lighting features to work?
If you get one about the same size as the one from Atlas, it can mount underneath the board just like on the original Atlas light board. Yes, you will need at least a 4 function decoder, but TCS and Digitrax and I am not sure but NCE may all have that capability. The motor control is not very good at all from what I have seen with the couple of units I have. That's why I am going this different route now. I am still tinkering with the installation and the programming..... In my view, the cost of the decoder from Atlas is way out of line for the quality and features of their decoder. You may want to send an e-mail to TCS and inquire about a board replacement decoder for these locomotives like I did. Perhaps, if more people ask about it, it may gain some momentum and get done.
I looked at the frame and it seems like it's about the size to support a TCS AMD4 drop in. Maybe I'll give them a call. Of course you might figure something out first! :thumbs_up:
I put a AMD4 Decoder in a H15-44 loco. fit perfect. Need to figure out how to tint the D/G lens now. Any suggestions, 1 thought has been to clip the R/G led off the old board and add it to the decoder on the extra light functions.
I am fiddling with this issue now, but am new to DCC and have only installed a dozen or so drop in decoders. Looking at the H16-44, I will show my ignorance of electronics. It the LED bi-colored and controlled by the stock Atlas board according to direction (I guess I could go try it with the shell off)? If so, would that be something easily programmed into a decoder? I may try my hand at installing a drop in and using the LEDs from the Atlas board if that is an option. I have two of these to convert to DCC and am interested in suggestions as well.