New Atlas RS-1 vs. Atlas RS-2

[wcfn100]

Is this it (from Spookshow's site)?


Looks like the electrical tape will also make shell removal more difficult.

Yeah, that's it.  So where the motor tab is soldered at the top, it doesn't fit into the top of the shell.  I think the tape did make it tougher since it goes over the dimples, but the board was seriously lodged into the shell.

Jason

[peteski]

Yeah, that's it.  So where the motor tab is soldered at the top, it doesn't fit into the top of the shell.  I think the tape did make it tougher since it goes over the dimples, but the board was seriously lodged into the shell.

Jason

While pulling the shell off you must have done some serious shifting of the chassis to horizontally dislodge the decoder from its mounting slots! 

IIRC, Joe had problems with the motor tabs on his model.

This makes one question the work ethics of the people that assemble these models. Sounds like whoever installed the shell on your  model must have used a hammer to fully seat it!  Yes' I'm exaggerating slightly.

[wcfn100]

While pulling the shell off you must have done some serious shifting of the chassis to horizontally dislodge the decoder from its mounting slots! 

That's why I'm worried about the board.  I thought I had cleared the chassis but it still wasn't coming out.  Then I saw the board bending inside the shell.

Jason

[peteski]

That's why I'm worried about the board.  I thought I had cleared the chassis but it still wasn't coming out.  Then I saw the board bending inside the shell.

Jason

Fingers and toes crossed for you! 
If it is bad, maybe Atlas would replace it for you (since the problem you described should be IMO considered a factory defect).  At least is is not a sound decoder!

[wcfn100]

Fingers and toes crossed for you! 

When I hook it up, my system just beeps and resets...  That's not good.  I guess I'll reach out to Atlas, otherwise the NCE decoder is only $35, and it shouldn't have the giant solder blobs.


Jason

[peteski]

When I hook it up, my system just beeps and resets...  That's not good.  I guess I'll reach out to Atlas, otherwise the NCE decoder is only $35, and it shouldn't have the giant solder blobs.


Jason

Ouch!  That sounds like a short.  Is the decoder installed in the chassis, or are you testing just the decoder board?

[wcfn100]

Ouch!  That sounds like a short.  Is the decoder installed in the chassis, or are you testing just the decoder board?

Both.

I checked the chassis halves with the decoder in and wasn't getting a short, so I thought I'd be good to test in on the track.  Beep...Beep.  Then I hooked the board directly.  Same result.

Jason

[peteski]

Both.

I checked the chassis halves with the decoder in and wasn't getting a short, so I thought I'd be good to test in on the track.  Beep...Beep.  Then I hooked the board directly.  Same result.

Jason

That seems a bit odd. Flexing the PC board usually causes opens, not shorts. 
But I guess if Atlas doesn't provide you a replacement, it is likely not worth spending too much time troubleshooting a $35 decoder.

[CRL]

I’ve purchased only DC versions of DCC ready locomotives. That way, when (& if) I take the plunge into DCC, I’ll determine at that time what type of decoders to use going forward. I’d rather do the conversions myself, or pay someone I trust to make more complicated conversions than pay extra for a fumble fingered manufacturer tech with a volume quota install a low bid decoder.

Plus, I don’t want sound.

[spookshow]

When I hook it up, my system just beeps and resets...  That's not good.  I guess I'll reach out to Atlas, otherwise the NCE decoder is only $35, and it shouldn't have the giant solder blobs.

I thought the decoders that come preinstalled on these were made by NCE? That's what it says on the box anyway.

-Mark

[samusi01]

Unlike Mark, I didn’t glance at the box to discover (through JMRI) that NCE boards are in the DCC equipped units. I believe they are N14K2 type, but I have not disassembled one to verify.

[Albert in N]

   Thanks for all the comments on the new RS-2.  Fortunately, my on line order was stopped by a system problem.  After placing the order and credit card confirmed, "Thank you for your order" appeared.  Yet there was no confirmation email or charge to my Visa.  I will pass on ordering any new Atlas N locomotives for now due to apparent quality issues.  If I need another locomotive, it will come from Kato.

[wcfn100]

I thought the decoders that come preinstalled on these were made by NCE? That's what it says on the box anyway.

-Mark

Yeah, they're NCE, but at least from the picture, if I bought the decoder separately, it wouldn't have the motor tabs soldered on.



It's the motor tabs that are making the Atlas board too wide for the shell.  You can see from the NCE photo, the tabs are supposed to sit into a  notch in the board.  The Atlas tabs don't do this.  At least mine don't.

I tried testing the board again and got a nice light show followed by smoke.

Jason

[wazzou]

Do they have to re-position the motor tabs further outward to clear the frame/motor/tape and solder as a result?

[wcfn100]

Do they have to re-position the motor tabs further outward to clear the frame/motor/tape and solder as a result?

No.  There's plenty of room.  These DCC boards were designed back when these were still Life-Like models.

Honestly, it just looks like a QC issue.  I assume the tabs were a weak point in production, physically or electrically so they soldered them.  They just aren't seated properly.


Jason