Are Current Atlas N Scale Locos Easy to Convert to DCC?

[Kisatchie]

I'm thinking of buying some current Atlas non DCC locos, and I was wondering how hard is it to convert to my favorite (whatever that may prove to be) decoders? For starters, say I have a couple of Atlas SD35 locos, currently in stock at MB Klein and BLW. Could I get decoders installed easily (i.e., not cost an arm and a leg)? I absolutely hate anything to do with electricity except for running the locos.


Hmm... looks like I'll be
wiring Kiz's layout once
he gets started on it...

[mu26aeh]

Simple answer, yes.  Today's locomotives are DCC ready, with most having readily available drop in decoders, on average priced between $25-35.  Take shell off, slide out stock dc board, slide in decoder, replace shell.

[Philip H]

Many current generation Atlas and Kato locks have DCC decoders that drop in in place of the stock light boards that come with the loco. Usually you just loosen the screws holding the frame halves, slide out the light board and slide the decoder in.

[Kisatchie]

Thanks for the replies. That sounds simple enough even I could do it.


Hmm... famous last
words...

[davefoxx]

Many current generation Atlas and Kato locks have DCC decoders that drop in in place of the stock light boards that come with the loco. Usually you just loosen the screws holding the frame halves, slide out the light board and slide the decoder in.

If only it was always this easy.  Many locomotives that I have decoderized over the past few years have been complicated by a PC board that is too thin for the slots in the Atlas frame.  A simple blob of solder to the four pads on the decoder, though, gave it the thickness necessary to fit snug into the locomotive's frame and guarantee electrical continuity.

That said, the last two Atlas locomotives that I decoderized, coincidentally SD35s, were even worse.  Apparently, the decoders now come with these silly little brass clips that fit over the four pads on the decoder.  When I tried removing them, I was unsuccessful at adding enough solder to make up the thickness.  Are the PC boards even thinner now?!  So, I put the brass clips back on.  They can easily be lost, so I do not like having those brass clips in there.  Something else to fumble with while trying to install a decoder.  But, it was necessary to make the decoders work properly.

DISCLAIMER: I generally use Digitrax decoders, so this problem could be inherent to Digitrax only.

DFF

[Kisatchie]

...Many locomotives that I have decoderized over the past few years have been complicated by a PC board that is too thin for the slots in the Atlas frame...

Oh, great! Glad to find out now. Maybe I should buy Atlas locos with decoders already installed.

What brand of decoders does Atlas use nowadays? Still Lenz?


Hmm... All Kiz needs is a
decoder with basic only
features...

[peteski]

Oh, great! Glad to find out now. Maybe I should buy Atlas locos with decoders already installed.

What brand of decoders does Atlas use nowadays? Still Lenz?

IIRC, Atlas now uses NCE decoders.  But why such a long face?  Who says that you have to do this yourself?  Just sell a dozen boxcars from your vast collection and that will pay for shipping and decoder installs on a bunch of locos.  Then you sent them off to a company which offers decoder installation services.

Also, most of the currently produced locos from Atlas are offered with pre-installed decoder anyways.  So, there is nothing to fret about. 

[Kisatchie]

IIRC, Atlas now uses NCE decoders.  But why such a long face?  Who says that you have to do this yourself?  Just sell a dozen boxcars from your vast collection and that will pay for shipping and decoder installs on a bunch of locos...

My car sales aren't doing too hot so far. Wonder if it's my prices?


Hmm... no, it's using the
Mafia to collect on sales...

[Upstate Gator]

RS 1, 3 RSD 4/5 need TCS CN decoders
Ben

[nkalanaga]

No. the prices look fine.  So far there haven't been many that I need, or I'd be buying more.  Like you, I have way more cars than I need to start with!

[VonRyan]

Kiz, Atlas drop-in conversions are something I do pretty frequently for folks I know.
If you'd rather someone else put decoders in for you, I'm sure we could work something out.

[eja]

If you are not ape handed, it should be relatively easy.  Not being the most careful in dis-assembling and putting things back together, I ended up withe some Atlas loco with Digitarx decoders that worked fine but sounded like coffee grinder.

Thanks to advice from some very knowledgeable folks on this this site (Peteski being one of them from whom I have learned so much, thanks!), I learned that the problem was not bearing blocks nor the result of many other suggestion, but rather that I had not carefully aligned everything I took apart.

Go for it!  You have many knowledgeable, valuable and helpful resources on this site that seem to be more than willing to help up.

eja

No offense intended, Dee

[Burlington Bob]

As others have said, decoders aren't that hard to install, especially if you take your time and pay attention to detail.  After doing a few of the drop ins, you'll be ready to do one of the CN-GP's with the split board if you are comfortable with basic soldering.

As far as buying your cars goes, I'm waiting for the right ones to come up for sale, 1969 is my cut off for my modeling era.  I bought a bunch of Atlas trucks from you and was very satisfied.  Hoping for future transactions.

[John]

My car sales aren't doing too hot so far. Wonder if it's my prices?


Hmm... no, it's using the
Mafia to collect on sales...

You might consider accepting paypal --- it makes it easy to pull the trigger ..  rather than writing a check and waiting for it to clear ..

[Upstate Gator]

As far as the decoder installs, a couple of tricks, some learned the hard way:
1. Only program on a programming track, not the main. Can save you from smoking a decoder.
2. Take pictures of the loco as you disassemble it, so you'll remember where everything goes.
3. Make sure the trucks are oriented correctly. The little gears should be on opposite sides.
3. When installing a CN, use an optivisor or magnifier and make sure there are no stray wires.
I was terrified the first time I installed a decoder.
Ben