Is this a decoder?

SleeperN06 Aug 7, 2010

  1. SleeperN06

    SleeperN06 TrainBoard Member

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    I bought this Atlas SD-60M from eBay and it said it has a Digitrax Decoder in it, but I can’t identify it. I’ve had it for a while and I think I’ve even run it on my DC track without knowing.

    I have two questions.

    1) If THIS IS a decoder, did I destroy it by running on DC?

    2) What will happen if I put it on my NCE PowerCab program track if IT IS NOT a decoder?

    [​IMG]
     
  2. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    If it's a dual-mode DCC decoder, then you probably didn't ruin it running it on DC. Can you get a closer view of the suspected decoder?
     
  3. ArtinCA

    ArtinCA TrainBoard Member

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    Looks like it from here....

    No, it's pretty hard to kill on on DC..

    If it's not, the loco will buzz on the DCC tracks and you can run it at address 00. But if it doesn't, it's a decoder and you can try 03 or the loco number..
     
  4. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    If the decoder is not responding on DCC, it may have been programmed to something other than '03'. If that's the case, I would try the loco number, and if that doesn't work, try the last two digits of the loco number. If that doesn't work, try re-setting the decoder. I know that for some you set CV 8 to 8 to reset, but I don't know if that is universal.
     
  5. Steve Ervin

    Steve Ervin TrainBoard Member

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    It does not look like a decoder...only a light board.

    Steve E.
     
  6. Trainforfun

    Trainforfun TrainBoard Member

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    Sorry Steve but the square chip ( marked LA or so ) on the rear shows it is a DCC board .
     
  7. sundowner

    sundowner TrainBoard Member

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    Its a cheap Lenz decoder made for Atlas. I have replaces all of those on all my DCC ready locos that I have and is the reason I don't get DCC equip locos from Atlas anymore. They are not worth the extra $20 + dollars that Atlas charges for them.
     
  8. N-Jineer

    N-Jineer TrainBoard Member

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    I have to agree with Sundowner; it certainly looks like the Factory Fitted Lenz decoders my 3 SD60Ms have - and which I plan to replace in the very near future.

    If it's the Lenz decoders, your PowerCab should give you the Decoder Info and Version No as '127' and '045', which is the LE062XF, or '127' and '047' which is the LE063XF
     
  9. SleeperN06

    SleeperN06 TrainBoard Member

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    Sorry I didn’t get back right away, but I had to do some outside chores.


    Well, if it will not damage my PowerCab then I guess I can try it on my DCC track.
     
  10. SleeperN06

    SleeperN06 TrainBoard Member

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    I don’t know hat it is. At first it said the manufacture was 129 and version 105.
    Then it said it couldn’t read the CV. Could it be bad?

    I need to kick my daughter of my other computer to post a better photo. This may take a while.:pbaffled:

    [FONT=&quot][/FONT]
     
  11. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Johnny,

    It's a decoder. If it's smoking it's bad. There is a way to clear the decoder back to manufacturers spec's. I think... CV 30 and enter 2. Then you should be back to operation on 0003.

    Worth a try.
     
  12. SleeperN06

    SleeperN06 TrainBoard Member

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    [FONT=&quot]Ok thanks Rick, I have to read the manual to figure out how to do it, but I’ll let you know as soon as I can.[/FONT]
     
  13. SleeperN06

    SleeperN06 TrainBoard Member

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    OK! got it working

    I don’t know how to do the CV thing, but I found a Recovery Programming function.
    And I actually was able to program a long address in and move about an inch. I think it needs a real good cleaning.

    I am a little disappointed that it wasn’t a Digitrax Decoder.
     
  14. markwr

    markwr TrainBoard Member

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    If the manufacturer's id is 129 it's a Digitrax.
     
  15. SleeperN06

    SleeperN06 TrainBoard Member

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    What did you replace them with?
     
  16. SleeperN06

    SleeperN06 TrainBoard Member

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    Oh, missed this post. Well that’s good news, I thought I got ripped off. :tb-biggrin:
     
  17. markwr

    markwr TrainBoard Member

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    As long as you can get the locomotive to work to your satisfaction, you didn't get ripped off.

    Some reference information for identifying unknown decoders; CV 8 contains the manufacturer's id. Some of the more common id's are:
    11 - NCE
    99 - Lenz
    101 - Bachmann
    127 - Atlas
    129 - Digitrax
    145 - Zimo
    151 - ESU

    If you read CV 8 you get the manufacturer's id, if you write to CV 8 you can reset the decoder. Different manufacturers use different values in CV 8 for the reset. Digitrax uses an 8 to reset everything and a 9 to reset everything except the speed table.
     
  18. SleeperN06

    SleeperN06 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks this is great info and I’m adding it to my train notes. As you probably can gather I’m new to this DCC stuff,
     
  19. N-Jineer

    N-Jineer TrainBoard Member

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    Version 105? That's wierd, as all my Digitrax Decoders say version 051 :pbaffled:

    If this was happening to me, I'd reset to factory and start again with a clean slate.
     
  20. AKrrnut

    AKrrnut TrainBoard Member

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    To answer your question about running a DC engine with an NCE system: NCE does not support the "0" setting to operate DC engines. They state they do this to avoid causing damage to the DC motor.

    If you place a DC engine on the track and try to operate it with an NCE system, nothing is going to happen. I wouldn't leave it on the track, though.

    My son and I have an NCE PowerCab we use to operate his N scale layout. This is the only shortcoming we've found, and it's a pretty small one, if it helps reduce damage to a stock motor.

    Pat
     

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