I'm looking for some suggestions on getting connections between the motor tabs and the DCC board. Specifically between NCE boards and Atlas locos. I'm resisting the soldering route, but nothing else has worked to this point. Everything has been cleaned well, and I've put as much "spring" into the motor tabs as I can, but still nothing. Everything else works.........I have lights and the decoder will take programing and commands . I've had the problem with GP9s,H16-44's and SD60's..........4 of 7 locos are having the problem.
Soldering the motor tabs to the decoder is the best way to go. Many Atlas diesels have this problem. Staying cool and having fun....... Shades
Soldering the decoders is the only way to go. The is especially the case with Atlas locomotives and their spring contacts. The slightest misalignment and you will have the problem you are seeing. When you solder the motor tabs to the board temperature effects are gone and so are misalignment effects, I have tested Atlas locomotives at home before a local show, and just the trip over the crappy California roads knocked them out of alignment. So save yourself the headaches and solder the decoders in place. They will not give you any more trouble unless something smokes the decoder. I have decoders in Atlas locomotives that were soldered in place 10 years ago that are still running great and reliably.
I have a couple hundred Atlas locos and all have DCC decoders that I have installed. I have never had to solder the motor connections. I make sure the contacts are clean and adjusted correctly. I then apply Dexoit to make sure the connections stay clean and making a good connection down the road. I would never solder the connections unless it was the very last solution.
