Firstly, I apologize if this has already been addressed; I just couldn't hone in on it in my searching.
Secondly, I'm basically new to DCC, and my question may be simply just inexperience.
I have an Atlas Silver GP40 with decoder factory installed. I set it on the track and it doesn't move. I have other locos with decoders that operate fine. This one does have a constant whine to it (doesn't vary in pitch or volume). I have the Digitrax Super Chief. I'm pretty sure I changed the decoder from 2 digit to 4 digit addressing. I'm guessing that since the loco's light will switch front-to-back with the direction control by using that 4 digit address I was successful, and that the decoder is installed and somewhat working? I also tried changing CV29 to value 36 (saw that on another thread) - no change. Is there something else I need to configure? Is there a locking screw on the loco? Or is the decoder just defective?
This loco did not come from my LHS, so I'm not sure how much support I'll get there.
Assuming you haven't missed some stuffing packaging that might be jamming the underbody and trucks (it sometimes gets reported by a sheepish user here, and it depends on the loco and its packaging, even differing between runs of the same loco)...Maybe try CV29 with a value of 34.
I suppose you could also have a cracked and slipping gear. It seems to pop up across the toy train world a lot more these days.
Wow, thanks for the quick reply! And I'd be happy to announce something as simple as packaging, but everythings looks free and clear. I was wrong about the pitch of the whining sound. The pitch seems to go up slightly as I increase the speed on the controller. I set CV29 to 34 - no change.
When ever I have these type of problems I reset the decoder back to CV8 factory setting. Then redo the set up.
I have learned if this did not fix it then the Atlas decoder was bad.
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
Here's my inexperience: how do I reset the decoder? As simple as going to CV8 and setting the factory default value of 127? Did that and no change. A little surprised that the address didn't revert back to 2 digits.
The pitch goes up as you increase speed? Hate to break it to you, but Atlas SIlver Series locos do NOT have decoders in them from the factory. DCC Ready on the packages does nto mean it's ready to run on DCC track, it means it's PROBABLY easy to install a decoder. In this case, it is. Here's one how-to from TCS, who makes some nice decoders:
http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Atlas/Silver_GP40_Low_Nose/Silver_GP40_Low_nose.html
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Whoops, good catch. I have an Atlas Master, not the Silver. It does have "decoder equipped" printed on the box.
I have 4 Atlas locos that came with factory installed DCC decoders. 2GP38 and 2 B40-8 Atlas calls them Dual Mode, they are made by Lenz..
In order to work on a DCC system, one has to physically move a plug from DC position to DCC position.
Could this be the case with your loco?
Jack W.
They seem to have stopped doing that 'dual mode' thing when they broke the lines into Master and Classic and subdivided the Master series into Gold and Silver, Gold having (so far) QSI sound decoders and Silver beign DCC ready with an 8 pin socket.
Maybe the loco does not have a decoder. Put the loco on the track and select address 0. advance the throttle and see if it moves. If it does it means it is a DCC ready loco without a decoder. Or if it does have one you may have to move a plug under the shell to another position. The constant whine or buzz should tell you that it is setup to run on DC. By the way, DO NOT LEAVE THE LOCO ON POWERED TRACK AS THE MOTOR WILL GET VERY WARM AND MAY BE DAMAGED IF LEFT ON THE TRACK FOR TOO LONG.
I have several Atlas master series loco's that have a plug that has to be moved over to run the loco with the decoder.
Thanks Randy but I was aware of that change.
Now it is a bit confusing has the OP says it is printed DCC equiped on the box, exactly what I also find printed on my boxes.
The documentation does say it is a dual-mode decoder. I removed the cover from the shell and the jumper was set for analog operation. I flipped it for digital and now the whine is gone and I now have control of the loco. THANK YOU ALL!
PS Happy New Year!
"Silver Series" was confusing. None of the GP40 or GP40-2 releases with the name SIlver Series had a decoder of any type fitted. Several pre-2008 releases came with the dual-mode decoder installed, they are not labelled as SIlver Series.
Here's a link to the 2008 release page.
http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hogp40-2a.htm
Springfield PA
I agree with you Randy, it is very easy to assume all non sound Atlas locos are the Silver Series. It is easy to mix the old Master Series with the now current Silver Series.