I just bought a N141p decoder to install in an HO Atlas MP15DC which is recommended by NCE for this type of locomotive. The diodes next to the 8 pin plug will not let the decoder insert all the way into the plug. The bottom of the decoder touches the top of these diodes before seated. Does any one know if the diodes are used when using a decoder? Can they therefore be removed so the decoder will seat all the way into the plug and provide the necessary top clearance? I Can't believe that NCE has not recognized this yet and posted it along with the stack hatch clearance problem that they do have posted.
They probabl are only for directional control of the lights when running on DC, however without a better view of the circuit board I can;t tell this for certain. My impression is that this is not really the best decoder choice for this loco, rather you'd want one with a short wire harness. See the TCS site here to see how they fitted their M1 decoder: http://www.tcsdcc.com/decoderpics/Atlas%20MP-15/Atlas%20MP_15.htm Plus with that installation you won't have to cut off the hatch tab.
TCS makes very good decoders. Plus they have a 'goof proof' warranty where they will replace it even if you mess up wiring it. And they will work fine with NCE or any other DCC system - you don;t have to use NCE decoders because you have an NCE system, or Digitrax decoders because you use a Digitrax system. I have Digitrax, and most of my decoders are NCE.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Didn't your NCE N14IP decoder include an extension socket to raise the decoder away from the main circuit board? I don't recall if the extension socket came with the NCE decoder or the BLI BlueLine engine, but I had to use it to install an N14IP into a BlueLine HO scale engine.
If you have a local electronics store (something better than Radio Shack) you can purchase a product called a Snappable SIP Socket with 0.1" centers and make your own extension.
I did install one of those NCE decoders following these instructions:
http://www.ncedcc.com/mp15dc.pdf
Works perfectly a breeze to install.
Jack W.
There should be an extension board with the engine or decoder. If not your LHS should have one laying around. All 3 of my BLI engines needed one.
Springfield PA