In the past few months I have bought 6 new N scale locos, 4 with Lenz decoders and 2 DC (I installed Digitrax decoders). Of all the locos the 4 I bought with decoders don't run very well, the 2 I installed decoders in run great!
Could this be the decoders? I have heard the Lenz decoders are "bottom of the line". Would it be worth it to change the decoders to Digitrax? I am using a Digitrax Super Chiev. Have any of you had any trouble with N scale Atlas locos?
One loco I bought a week ago (SD 24 in SF) seems to be slipping, the front wheels won't turn, I took off the shell and the flywheel is turning but not the worm gear. I figure it needs a new drive shaft. Any one ever experience this?
Thanks for any and all help. Mike
Is it a Lenz? According to Lenz' Debbie Ames, Atlas is making their own decoders.
sundayniagara Is it a Lenz? According to Lenz' Debbie Ames, Atlas is making their own decoders.
they would say that wouldn't they? even if atlas are actually 'making' them ( like the atlas master, lenz compact really!! ) they will be using the same spec components or even the same components under licence. it is known that the lenz decoders used in atlas factory loco's are built to a price and are not as fully featured as a 'normal' lenz decoder. just buy without onboard DCC and fit a digitrax decoder in the furture.
Whoever makes them, they are crap! I bought two MP-15s and both units blew the decorders within a month. Ran horrible. I then retooled with TCS decoders. Both those units blew as well (but they replaced them no charge). I did install one unit with Digitrax and have not had a problem since. It runs very well.
Peter
Same with the Bachmann HO decoders - talk about bottom of the barrel - the biggest problem is no 'supersonic' or high-frequency drive, so they run rough and the motor can buzz. Lenz made those too, and also sold them as their 'budget' decoder (the Lenz Gold Series are excellent decoders, just pricey as heck). The sad fact is though, Lenz charged more for that barrel scrapings (as in, lower than the bottom of the barrel!) than NCE charges for the D13SRJ - which is a VERY good decoder - about the only feature it doesn't have is BEMF and that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Early Atlas N scale DCC equipped locos had a decoder made for them by Digitrax. It too was pared down compared to seperately available decoders.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.