Hi everyone,
I bought an Atlas B23-7 DCC ready loco, when I put it on my layout it trips the my Digitrax circuit breaker but if I run the loco on a straight DC setup it runs just fine. I just got the loco so I had intended to go and buy a decoder today so my question is will putting a decoder in solve this problem or will I end up burning out a perfectly good decoder or do I have some other unseen problem?
Dude, a DCC Ready loco will only run on a DCC controller that has zero bit option. Any other controller and there will be problems.
A DCC ready loco is actually a DC loco because of the adapter that is usually plugged into the DCC connector in the loco.
I would hate to see you smoke something because of the lack of DCC knowledge. Read through ALL the manual for your DCC controller and decoders.
Please take time to learn something about DCC. A simple Google search for DCC info will produce plenty of links Search for dcc ready, dcc on board, dcc decoders as an example.
Ask questions here, “before” rather than “after” something does not work correctly..
A fair amount of DCC installs are not plug and play. Removing the loco shell can produce a long thread in the forums.
Ask about the loco brand and type of loco decoder possibilities.
Sound decoder options are another issue.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Rich,
I have run numerous DC locos on my DCC system until I was able to buy a decoder for them. Even then it was only put on the layout just to verify that it ran. I already do have pretty good knowledge of DCC.
The answer to my question came to me from another forum in direct reference tot he Atlas Silver series of locos, here is the direct text from that post...
"The feature that I asked about is normal. Recent Atlas DC units are made to short circuit on DCC. It appears that Atlas does not want the units to operate on address 00 on a DCC system to avoid damage to the motors. When you place an Atlas DC unit on DCC it creates a short circuit immediately so that it cannot be operated. When the unit is placed on DC fed track it operates normally."
The address 00 option for a DC loco is a Digitrax option. I believe Bachmann may have a similar option.
You will probably be just fine for the DCC install which should be a 8 pin plug. You should always start out on a programming track to prove out a decoder install. This will prevent any damage if something is done wrong.
Springfield PA
Ok, I just went with what your first message said. You did not give any background info.
Yes, running a DC loco on stretch zero can be an issue. They buzz a lot and potential for motor damage over a period of time.
Good to know about the Atlas issue though. I will look into that. I see the question about zero bit in different forums.
Yep, my fault Rich. I should have elaborated more... I ONLY put them (DC locos) on my DCC layout just to make sure they work and then never again do they enter service until a DCC decoder is installed.
Just got a pair of Finger Lakes Railway B23-7's yesterday.One was the GOLD series which is awesome and the other is the SILVER series which is the one that was confusing me.