Yesterday I got a brand new N scale Atlas Classic GP-35; unfortunately, I didn't read the product description carefully enough and didn't realize it was a DCC loco until I tried to test-run it on my DC layout. My understanding is that DCC locos can run on DC layouts, but in this case the locomotive does not appear to be recieving power at all; it doesn't move at any throttle setting, and the lights do not operate at all (my DC locos run on the same track without trouble). My hypothesis is that the decoder is set to disable analog operations, but I'm not sure and I don't have any DCC track to test it.
My questions are, 1) is my hypothesis likely correct, or does the total lack of response an indication something else is wrong, and 2) if it is, is there a way to turn analog operations back other than waiting for my LHS to reopen and use their test track?
For reference, the locomotive is an Atlas Class N scale GP35; the decoder appears to be from NCE; and the power pack I'm using is a MRC Railpower 1370, if that's helpful.
Any city gets what it admires, will pay for, and, ultimately, deserves.
Looks likle you will need a DCC set to make sure the decoder is set to run on DC.
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.
For starters .... DO NOT run that engine using the MRC 1300 series power packs. The voltage spikes from those packs will kill a decoder. A number of manufacturers have that disclaimer right on their website. I've had a couple engines brought back to our store that were dead. Doing some investigative work, it was found both customers were running their engines using the 1300 series power packs.
(Edit) - This is referring to ESU decoders specifically (which Atlas uses).
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
It would be very odd if a new engine came from the factory decoder-equipped with the decoder set to prevent DC usage. Virtually every decoder-equipped engine comes from the factory with a "dual mode" decoder that works for both DC and DCC. If it's a "new" engine you bought on Ebay etc., it could be the previous owner did set the decoder to DCC-only. A 'factory re-set' would solve the problem, which is easy to do - on a DCC programming track. I don't know there would be any other way to do it.
I don't know for sure, but I would imagine a manufacturer would get a ton of complaints if DC was disabled as SOP. I suppose you could ask Atlas.
Seems to me we have a forum member from your city, although in the age of social distancing, maybe no one would help out a fellow modeler.
I would be reluctant to fix an under warranty loco, but it could be something as simple as a broken wire.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
15 years ago decoders that could do both DCC and DC were rare, it was not the norm.
It sounds to me that maybe I just have to wait until the hobby shop where I bought it is reopened and take it in to use their DCC test track. Then I can either reset the decoder or repair/replace the loco if it’s defective. I have plenty to do in the meantime so it’s not a crisis. Thanks everyone
rrebell 15 years ago decoders that could do both DCC and DC were rare, it was not the norm.
I think we're forgetting how long DCC has been around. 15 years ago - MAYBE sound, since this would be just before Tsunami was released and the older DSD decoders weren't dual mode - but ESU's decoders at the time were dual mode, and so were QSIs used in the first Broadway locos.
On the non-sound front - 15 years ago, a decoder that WASN'T dual mode was rare. Even the lowest priced decoder on the market, the NCE D13SR, which was under $12 each in a 10 pack, was dual mode. Digitrax, TCS, NCE, they were all dual mode.
One of the ironies is that the Lenz decoder used in the early Atlas DCC locos was not dual mode, they had a jumper to switch between DC or DCC (in the 90's). Part of the DCC protocol developed by Lenz was the ability to automatically switch between power sources. Besides the early SOundtraxx products, these are probbaly the most well known examples of DCC decoders that didn't automatically switch to DC. But that was more than 20 years ago. Tsunami changed that which made basically every sound decoder available dual mode, and they were years late in delivery. By then, BLI was using QSI which were dual mode, and their spinoff PCM was using the Loksound v3.5 whichw as dual mode.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
RedImperator It sounds to me that maybe I just have to wait until the hobby shop where I bought it is reopened and take it in to use their DCC test track. Then I can either reset the decoder or repair/replace the loco if it’s defective. I have plenty to do in the meantime so it’s not a crisis. Thanks everyone
IF they do replace it as defective, again, I reiterate .... do not run it with your 1300 series power pack. You will just destroy it again.
The OP did not mention 15 years, Maybe the loco sat on the shelf for a long time. No idea.
I've never run into a new decoder that wasn't set to not do analog conversion. I've been installing decoders in my N Scale engines since 1996. First one was an Atlas GP35.
Atlas N scale DCC equipped engines have no wires so there are none to get loose. I would first take a look at the bottom to see if the two brass spring contacts are seated properly in the grooves above the fuel tank and the ends that make contact with the trucks are not twisted and missing contact with the bronze posts on the trucks.
If all is well there the problem could be loose contact of the decoder in the two slots on the frame halves. You will have to remove the shell to check that. With the shell off place the mechanism on the track with power turned up and press down on the circuit board. If the mechanism tries toi go either the motor contacts are not properly seated or the decoder is loose in the frame halves.
Martin Myers