The new GP15-1 is out from Atlas TrainMan. I thought I would post some pictures of the Digitrax DN163A2 decoder installation process. These steps hold true for most of the Digitrax drop in decoders for Atlas locos. The shell of the GP15-1 comes off by holding the fuel tank and gently pulling the shell off. Step 1 - Prepare the decoder board by applying a small amount of solder to each of the 4 electrical pickup contacts. The channels that these fit into are a bit wide and the solder will help keep electrical contact with the frame halves. Step 2 - Cut and wrap the Digitrax supplied Kapton tape around each of the frame sides as shown in the picture. Step 3 - Install 5mm of 1/8" diameter heat shrink tube as a light shield over each of the Decoder LEDs. Step 4 - Remove the loco light board by loosening the 2 frame screws and gently prying the frame apart at the board location. Install the decoder orienting the 2 copper motor contacts above the motor contacts. The decoder contacts should face down twards the motor. Be sure that the motor contacts are oriented below the board. If the trucks detached replace them and tighten the 2 frame screws. (Not too tight!) Test the loco on a test track for motor and decoder operation replace the shell and you are done! The decoder LEDs are white giving a nice touch over the yellow ones supplied from Atlas. Have Fun!
Thanks for posting the install. Can I assume this is the Digitrax version of the TCS ASD4 and NCE N12A2 decoders? I couldn't find mention of the DN163A2 on Digitrax's site.
Digitrax.com: DN163A1 N Scale Mobile Decoder for Atlas GP30 http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/DN163A2Instr1206.pdf They must have typed the wrong numbers on the web address because it links to the DN163A2. It can be found on Digitrax' home page. Scroll down to the "Recent N and Z Scale related" section.
The TCS ASD4 decoder will also work nicely in the GP15-1 and is an excellent decoder also. The footprint of the decoder is the same as the stock GP15-1 light board. The Digitrax DN163A2 is linked on the Digitrax home page. www.Digitrax.com under Recent N and Z Scale related:
You don't need to use a sodering iron to install this decoder, just transfer the contact clips that come on the light board to the decoder and then install the decoder like any other Atlas loco.
What contact clips are you referring to? I have installed a whole lot of these Atlas decoders in the last year and I also need to add solder (or add some other tensioning mechanism) so the Digitrax decoder will maintain contact. This is because the Digitrax board is thinner and does not fit in the contact "ears" as snugly as the factory light board. However, your post and a few others seem to indicate something may have changed since I last installed one of these Atlas decoders. Thanks, Jamie
Nothing has changed the decoder board is thinner than the Atlas light board so a little solder on each of the 4 contact pads helps make the contact as you noted. There are no removable decoder/motor contact clips in this loco. I also use the heat from the soldering iron to shrink the heat shrink light shields around the LEDs.
The GP15-1 lightboard is a little different than those of previous Atlas units in that it comes with copper clips were it attaches to the loco frame. The frame has also bigger notches were the light board attaches to fit this clips. You can barely see what I am talking about imn the attach picture but it illustrade my decoder installation. .
Yep, I see it (I think) and it does look like it solves the problem of the decoder not fitting snugly in the frame. Thanks for the info! Jamie
First off, thanks for the installation photos above they reminded me that I forgot to use the kapton tape when I did the install yesterday. At least I will have something to keep me busy tonight Two issues: 1. After installing the decoder (Digitrax DN163A2), the normal direction of travel is reverse. I can easily fix this by altering CV29, but what in the world did I do wrong? All I did was pop out the original board and install the decoder in the same orientation--or so I thought. 2. The LED on this decoder is very yellow. VERY yellow. Both front and rear LEDs. It looks like the old bug lights you used to see on people's front porches. I installed a Digitrax DN163A0 in an Atlas Dash 8-40C at the same time and the LED on that is nice and bright white, just like all my other past decoder installs. Did I get a bum decoder or is this as designed? Both Digitrax packages say "golden white LED" but the difference between the two when in operation is huge. Jamie
Just wanted to reort that Digitrax requested that I send the decoder back for replacement since it is old and does not include the golden white LEDs as advertised. Also, this thread was VERY helpful for my GP15-1 decoder install-uninstall. However, I do recommend using the little spring clips that come with the new Atlas light boards as opposed to using solder, even though those dang thigs are TINY and can get deformed real easily if not removed & replaced with care. Jamie
I found out the hard way you can cut down the little flat brass coupler centering springs that come with most Kato, Life Like, and Atlas locomotives to make replacement shims for the light board... My dog jostled my arm when I was doing the install on the GP15, and those little pieces went sailing off to never-never land. She picks the most inopportune times to need to go potty.
