Background: * N Scale * Running Digitrax everything. * Just got a new GP40-2 and digitrax decoder today and trying to convert to DCC. * I have successfully converted a loco to DCC before. * Loco tested fine on the track in analog mode. * Using the DN163A0 decoder. * Decoder is installed, programmed to the loco's number 4103. My Zephyr system recognizes the loco address on the program track. Problem: * I put it on the track and both lights flicker a little. They do not stay on and the loco will not respond at all to anything from the Zephyr. Track is powered as I have another DCC loco that will run great. Nothing wrong with the trackwork. Problem seems to be the decoder, and/or lack of power to the loco. Any thoughts on troubleshooting this?
Dave: Here is the solution. Your Digitrax decoder isn't properly contacting the copper motor pads of the loco. You can solve this in two ways. Add some solder to each copper motor contact of the loco. This will allow it to contact the uderside of the decoder properly. The more permanent method is to hardwire each copper motor contact of the loco to the underside of the of the corresponding pads of the decoder. This is a constant ongoing problem with Atlas loco's and the Digitrax DN 163A0 decoder. The fix is easy ..... Stay cool and run steam......
I'm not a DCC expert by any means, but I had this same problem. First off, clean the wheels of your engine. I did this a couple of days ago and could not believe the difference it made. It was like I had gotten a completely new engine, even though the one I had was brand new. You can try to hard wire or build up the solder points, or you can buy an NCE decoder, which has two small slots in the decoder where the motor contacts slide into the same spots where the Digitrax decoder relies on rubbing contact to keep the engine running.
Ryan: The Digitrax DN 163A0 is a better decoder than the NCE decoder despite it's installation problems in Atlas loco's. Stay cool and run steam......
