I purchased a new Atlas Silver Line SD7 DCC Ready intending to install a Digitrax DN163A0 decoder. After I removed the shell I discovered that the light board wiring and mounting is completely different. The light board has 2 screws to mount it and the motor leads and power pick-ups plug into the light board. Has anyone made a DCC decoder install and how is it done? Thanks in advance for an early reply Harold
Harold I have NO CLUE but have been researching conversions to DCC as well. I found this () based on your type of diesel? GOOD LUCK surely someone more knowledgeable will come along!
According to Spookshow it appears that Atlas has redesigned the SD-7 and the DCC ready one now uses an "E24" interface (which is apparently only used by ESU). I suspect it wouldn't be too hard to hardwire a decoder to the board, but without one in hand it's hard to say for sure.
Thanks Robert, a hard wire is possible but the typical drop in for Atlas would be difficult since the power wires come from the front and back trucks and plug into the light board as well as the motor wires. It is not a split frame chassis and no easy way to fasten a drop in. Using just a function decoder requires installing lights. Spookshow is correct in that the ESU E24 interface makes either sound or non sound decoders a simple plug in to the existing light board. Thanks all for your responses.
Don't know if this is a solution or not but a search for LokPilot and E24 shows a LokPilot (non-sound) with the E24 interface.. https://sbs4dcc.com/products/esu-59...a-dcc-decoder-esu-e24-integral-connector.html .... not a bad price and I really like the LokPilot series decoders. I also see there are LokSound decoders (sound) that have that interface. Sumner
Just an FYI - Scaletrains new runs of N scale SD40-2 are coming with the E24 connector for nano decoder. Because the SD40-2 model is narrow as is the Atlas SD7 and 9; it requires a narrow motherboard and smaller decoder to fit inside the shell. I was told that future releases for Scaletrains will all be changed over to that combination. Since neither the new Atlas or ST locos are split frame; you are limited on what you can install after market. Personally I will need to check to see if ESU makes a non-sound decoder to plug into the E24 connector. I run and have converted most of my fleet over to Sound BUT I believe that it would be problematic if the manufacturers don't offer that option as not everybody wants sound. Brian
I just checked and I could be wrong but I don't see that ESU offers the non sound nano (size) decoder with the E24 Connector. So its DC or DCC with sound for options? Hopefully KATO stays with split frame which enables a ton of after market options that are easily done by most modellers. Brian
Is the one I posted in the link above the right one? I've only hardwired the LokPilots so not familiar with the E24 option. Sumner
Bryan at SBS4DCC specified that decoder as well (ESU 59925). They are on back order with no delivery schedule available. I am going to wait for a while. If they don't become available, I may just get another sound decoder. I also sent an email to Atlas, They responded with the same info about needing the ESU E24 connector.
I can't find the 59925 on ESU site but that doesn't surprise me..... I could be wrong but the picture of that decoder (SBS4DCC) doesn't show the right connector which leads me to believe that the correct decoders are not yet in the pipeline. Side note; The ScaleTrains Sd40-2 delivery has now been pushed out to January of 2024. I think I pre-ordered mine in June of 2022. Maybe there will be more info about the 59925 by that time. Supposedly that nano decoder has more capabilities and outputs. The Atlas SD7/9 all come with the speakers mounted on top of the frame instead of the fuel tank. They sound pretty good. Brian
As far as hardwiring, I wasn't thinking use the typical Atlas drop in but instead use a hard wired decoder, such as a DN136D, and wiring it to the lightboard that is in the loco. You would just have to figure out where to tap into the existing light board.
Atlas changed from NCE to ESU decoders I think last year or year before(?). I have bought new Atlas/ESU with the standard slide-in, could be NOS? Maybe this is their latest version? I have changed over to the wired versions of many ESU decoders to allow bigger speaker cases in Atlas, Kato FVM and InterMountain diesels. Takes a bit of machining, but it is fun (OK, I am weird).
Probably old information but I wanted to add my recent experience with an Atlas N Silver Series. I ordered an Atlas B23-7 Silver Series with the intention of installing an ESU sound decoder. It turned out it was a very easy conversion. The difficult part was finding the E24 connector. Initially it was not obvious where the E24 connector was. Upon further investigation I found a small add on (piggyback) board underneath the main decoder board at the front of the Loco. It seemed too small for an E24 connector but once I removed the main board and removed the small piggyback board, the E24 connector became visible. So I removed a piggyback board from another ESU decoder I had, installed on the B23-7 board and it worked perfectly. If this is the way Atlas will proceed in the future it is good news. Once you understand the process it is easy to upgrade an Atlas Silver Series Loco to DCC or DCC/sound. ESU offer both options. Remove the shell, disconnect the main board, remove the "dummy plug" and install the appropriate decoder. The question is, is it worth it. If you only want DCC, it probably is. Atlas does not offer a DCC only model. If you want sound why not just purchase a Gold Series Loco. It's your choice. In my case, I always dismantle the Loco on receipt primarily to re-gauge the wheelsets so it is not an issue for me to change the piggyback board. The E24 connector is very small and needs careful attention when installing it. It requires a gentle touch. And the fact that Atlas includes a speaker in the Silver Series makes the conversion to sound really easy. And it can be done at anytime. My other question would be is the piggyback board in the Gold Series as good as ESU 589225 add on piggyback decoder? Maybe they are the same but a 58925 add on decoder should be "fully loaded" with features, not just what Atlas requires. My thoughts and experiences. Take from it what you want.......................George.
Good info, thanks. The 58925 would have whatever sound file is loaded into it either by you or who you buy it from if they offer that service. I usually get my sound decoders from SBS and he will load any sound file you want. I also have a LokProgrammer so can download them myself also. Sumner
Agreed Sumner. My question is whether the Atlas Gold ESU Decoder has all of the features of an ESU 58925. I know of OEM decoders being downgraded for cost reasons. In case this is the case, I will purchase Silver models and buy a ESU decoder from SBS, my usual supplier of ESU decoders. I also have a LokProgrammer but I will always get SBS to load a sound file in case the decoder has a fault. I have had a couple that were replaced under warranty. I live in Oz so shipping costs can become an issue....................George.
