I have a few questions concerning decoder installation in n scale. I’m n-scale only, so I’m posting this here. Moderator - feel free to move it to DCC and Electronics if appropriate. First - regarding decoders, I want silent running (no buzzing). I don’t need sound on my diesel locomotives. I’ll save that for steam in the future. I do, however, have a 3% grade and would like the decoder to hold the locomotive to a certain speed on hills. Other than that, pretty basic is OK. However, I don’t mind spending, say for instance, $40 over $20 etc. if the decoder would be much better for me in the long run. That’s not going to break the bank at this stage. 1. I have two Atlas RS-1‘s that are not decoder ready. They need frame milling. Should I trade the frames with, say, Aztec first then send them to someone for installation that way. Or is there someone who can do it all? I don’t want to tackle these myself. Which decoder is recommended? Which installer do you recommend? I have two Atlas GP-38’s (supposedly decoder ready). I would do these myself ONLY if they are truly “plug and play” with no soldering involved. Is it an easy install or should I plan on sending them away rather than buying the decoder and doing it myself? Which decoders? Which installer, if it comes to that? I bought two Atlas GP-40’s with decoders already installed. They were available for the first time from my line and I wanted to jump on them. I’m reading now that the Lenz leo63xf’s they come equipped with “buzz” and may not control speed on my hills. Is this correct? I’ll try them “as is” first but will replace the decoders if they bug me when I’m up and running later. Is this basically the same switch over issues that I am faced with with the GP38’s installation-wise? Why would Atlas put in a decoder that buzzed when that issue has supposedly been solved with more modern decoders? Frankly it kind of ticks me off. Extra features lacking- MAYBE. Buzzing sounds- NO! It’s kind of a no-brainer customer relation wise, right? Thanks for any help with these questions. MARV
I have not done nor do I own any of the three engines you have to convert. However with the RS-1 there is another option. Southern Digital produces replacement frames for 1999+ era RS-1s (called DigiFrames) and will install them with a decoder for a fee. That would amount to one stop shopping. I believe they will do the other decoder installs you want as well. You can check out their service and DigiFrames by going to: http://www.sodigi.com/serv01.htm. By the way they do respond to emails very promptly. (sodigi@mindspring.com).
Hi Marv, If you want decoders that maintain speed on grades and maintain a very smooth low speed operation then you want decoders that have BEMF. Digitrax make drop in decoders for the Atlas GP 38 & 40. ALL of Atlas decoder equipped locomotives come with a basic Lenz decoder that does not have BEMF. Atlas feels that the market doesn't want to spend the additional couple bucks for BEMF. (I order all mine without decoders so that I can install decoders with BEMF). Good luck Brian
Your GP38s and GP40 should both have the same type of frame, if they are DCC ready. to check, the shell comes off easily. Grip the fuel tank with one hand and under the walkway just behind the fuel tank with the other and pull up carefully. After the shell is off, look at the top of the frame. If there is one long circuit board, it is a DCC ready unit. If it has two small circuit boards, one on each end, it is not DCC ready. The light shield may come off the frame and be stuck inside the shell in the cab area. The decoder install for the DCC ready units is a matter of replacing the circuit board, and making sure the motor contacts touch the pads on the decoder board. As for the RS-1, Aztec offers a service where they will mill your frame (or another frame of the same type). This avoids the possible problems that some people have reported with the Southern Digital frames. You may not be able to hear any buzz from the Atlas decoders. Try them first. The aftermarket ones are better but cost a little more. Mark
Marv: If your loco's aren't decoder ready, send the frames to Aztec for milling. Those Atlas diesels should take a Digitrax DN 163A0 or TCS makes an equivalent decoder. You can install them yourself very easily. Both the Digitrax and TCS decoders for those loco's have BEMF which stabilizes speed up and down grades. Stay cool and run steam.....
Both Digitrax and TCS are silent running decoders. I have them both. Also, I've read (though not personally experienced) that the frames from Southern Digital may not be a good choice. They cast their own frames with heavier material which is nice but the quality is not there. You may end up having to file and jiggle the alignment and only then maybe will you be able to get your loco back together again.
One more thing, you WILL hear the buzz from the Atlas factory N decoders, especially when running slow.
Being DCC-related, I have moved it into this forum. Aztec use a frame swap service - send yours and they send one of their spares immediately - so the turnaround is as short as the mail time there and back. Otherwise, there are more than a few one-stop-shop services provided for the installs. One of our advertisers, Fifer Hobby, offers this service. Have a look at their page - http://www.fiferhobby.com/html/digitrax_lenz_bachmann_e-z_com.html Have a search for other providers such as Tony's Trains, Litchfield Station, etc. As AVR Mark has pointed out, the GP38 and 40 DCC-ready frames are the same. They have the same part number. Change out of the board in the 38 is straight forward with the usual precautions already noted. The GP38 was the first DCC install I did and it worked from the outset. Of course, refer to the instructions prior to starting. Most of the higher end decoders have some form of 'dither' control to help maintain smoother slow-speed running. To this NCE can be added to the fray though they don't have the BEMF feature (BEMF has it's plusses and minuses which have been discussed elsewhere on the 'net). Personally I don't need BEMF as I don't intend on having any significant grades requiring the feature. Besides, real trains slow on hills and accelerate in order to maintain train speed up the grade. Just remember they will accelerate as they go over the top, too! Welcome to the world of DCC, Marv. Now the learning begins!
Gary.. Do they deal with international people? Anyone in Aussie doing this sorta gig - milling frames for chips? The club I'm in is going DCC on the club/exhibition layouts so i gotta catch up with the jones'... Plus Im at the wiring stage still on my layout, and having assisted with another layout, I'm all in favor of how easy this is to wire up!!! Im going to bite the bullet and do all my gear at one time. which will hurt the wallet, but will be easier. Thanks bruce.
Hi Bruce. I'm certain Aztec will. You just need to pay the additional postage costs. Locally, I'm not sure if anyone is set up to specifically mill N Scale chassis here, though. Drop an email to Gary Spencer-Salt at The Model Railroad Craftsman up here - sales@mrrc.com.au - he may know of someone set up to do this. BTW, what do you have that will require milling?
Thanks for the tip Gary. I have 70-80ish Locos, dozen or so are already DCC, numerous are DCC ready, but there are heaps that arent I have all sorts of stuff, Atlas non dcc Diesels, Kato same, Lifelike, etc then theres the steam units, like Rivarossi, one of the newer bachmann, Concor bigboy etc.. a 5 odd Hallmark Brass that Jason painted up for me too.. (is he still round?) might be a road trip to Sydney if this bloke you mention can offer something. the decoders will be expensive enough, hoping the milling isnt deadly would like to do ti all in "one go" or within a few mths of starting the journey to DCC land lol Now to figure out Zephyr or not lol. still reading archives/old threads. Thanks again Bruce. PS. any tips on best place to bulk buy DCC chips? say 70 odd lol...
Thanks Phil. I'll try the site advertisers as well.. Someone in club mentioned Tonystrains.. anything good bad about them people? I might sus out a few blokes in the club for fitting them... I would like to learn myself how to fit em up, but buyin em might not be the "one hit wonder" I hoped, when i started adding it up !!! thanks again
Only 70? Lucky you! The milling will be an average of US$10 a frame through Aztec, based on a one-for-one swap. There is a list of chassis on site that fall into this category. This could be a bit expensive since you will be shipping them from here to there and back again. Air is the quickest but most expensive. If you are not wanting to order the decoders overseas, then try Gary at The Model Railroad Craftsman at Blacktown for NCE in particular - he's the NCE distributor in Oz. He has a set price of $34.50 for the PnP decoders for Atlas (N12A0, -A1 and -A2) and most of the others with a US$29.95 RRP, and N12SR 2-function hard-wired decoders (price has been set by the average US$-AU$ exchange rate in the 6 months prior to taking the distributorship - currently he's on the plus side of the game). Any problems just send back and he'll test and replace if defective from new. I don't know who is distributing Digitrax, Lenz, or TCS specifically here, though MRRC has some TCS in stock as well and can get them. Otherwise, it's the usual suspects from the US, like Tony's, Litchfield Station, DCC Roundhouse and some of our advertisers like Wig-Wag and Fifer. You will be stuck with additional postage costs to send them back o/s, but you may save a few dollars here and there. Remember, decoders have something like an averaged 3% failure rate out of the box, ranging from simple issues like duff LED's to DOA. Out of 18 I've had one with no reverse drive (replaced under warranty). Keep in mind the warranty coverage if you are planning to have a go at installation yourself when deciding, ie TCS's 'goof proof' warranty, etc. Hope this helps. Hey Phill - hoping to be up in Brissy within a couple of months for a visit.
Thanks again Gary. Lookin like I'll have to do them in stages with the costs involved. The more I look into it the more scarey it will be. Im not keen on shipping them all to USA - things get lost easily... I have a $1500 camera lens floating somewhere between here and a camera shop in NY (although I dont think it was ever sent)... will call some stores in aussie see what I can find, but again, wouldnt mind learning myself how to do it. Thanks for the tips on shops. take care Bruce.
