The instructioons show the tape being applied to the tab, between the tab and the frame piece, so with the tape on the outside, unless it is wrapped all the way around, there's a good chance the motor tab touched the frame, which will dmage the decoder. It may or may not smell burnt, but the magic smoke is almost surely released. Or the tabs are not properly inserted int he decoder slots to make solid contact.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
This one doesn't actually have slots, the tabs are just supposed to touch the pads on the bottom of the decoder. I guess there are 2 different versions of this decoder one with slots and one without from what I just read. I just bent the tabs a little and lined them up and it works now. Sputtering but that I think is due to a dirty track as my Kato i just bought did the same thing. Now all I have to do is fix the Fairbanks and Morse.
I took the other Atlas engine apart and bent the motor contacts a little and made sure they lined up with the decoder pads and this one works now too. Thanks for everyone's help!
If it actually an NCE decoder, I would send a photo of it to Ed Wilson at NCE Support. He will be able to ID it in a heart beat and tell you what is wrong.
B. Bryce If it actually an NCE decoder, I would send a photo of it to Ed Wilson at NCE Support. He will be able to ID it in a heart beat and tell you what is wrong.
I got it figured out but thank you I will keep that under my hat for the future!