Hello everyone,
I just thought I would share my experience with installing a dcc decoder into an Atlas MP-15DC (HO). As you probably know, there is hardly any room in that puppy. I had seen the videos online regarding installing decoders and having to modify the hood to get it done. I installed a NCE Z14SRP decoder with the 8 pin plug. Unfortunately the plug was too high for the muffler piece to close properly. I am sharing this to say that what i ended up doing was snipping the 8 pin connector away and soldering the wires directly into the DCC socket. Now everything fits properly and the locomotive runs like a dream. I wasn't sure if others were having issues with this so I thought I would share.
Here is a picture of my NS #2430
Trainluver.shutterfly.com
Keep up the good work.
Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA
Hi Alexstan,
The N14IP will sit too high for the muffler piece to close. You will have to cut away the clip that holds the hood in place. I you don't want to cut anything, you will need to solder the wires into the decoder socket. This is what I had to do. Even with the small Z14SRP, the 8 pin plug sat too high for the hood to close completely. The smaller the decoder the better, the one i used sits just under the air filter box between the muffler and the cab. The Z14SRP is a good decoder, it is a 4 function decoder.
I love this locomotive, I am looking at purchasing another one.
I've just recently installed a SDH164D decoder with sound. Used a oval QSI small speaker. previously I'd a n scale with factory dcc board
trainluverHi Alexstan, The N14IP will sit too high for the muffler piece to close. You will have to cut away the clip that holds the hood in place. I you don't want to cut anything, you will need to solder the wires into the decoder socket. This is what I had to do. Even with the small Z14SRP, the 8 pin plug sat too high for the hood to close completely. The smaller the decoder the better, the one i used sits just under the air filter box between the muffler and the cab. The Z14SRP is a good decoder, it is a 4 function decoder. I love this locomotive, I am looking at purchasing another one.