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Just got sound in an N Scale Atlas GP15-1!

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  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 913 posts
Just got sound in an N Scale Atlas GP15-1!
Posted by gatrhumpy on Thursday, January 10, 2013 7:41 AM

I'm excited about this. A while ago I bought a Conrail Atlas N scale GP15-1, and since all of my other engines are sound-equipped, I desperately wanted sound for this engine too. I finally accomplished that feat. I installed an MRC (please leave the grumblings of MRC decoders out of this discussion please) #1812 decoder into it, and it works fantastic!

  • Member since
    June 2012
  • 2,297 posts
Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Thursday, January 10, 2013 9:29 AM

how did the sound decoder fit? I'm curious to know because I have an Atlas GP15-1 in BN that I want to be my first DCC loco after I get the system though.

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 913 posts
Posted by gatrhumpy on Thursday, January 10, 2013 9:39 AM

BN, there four contact points to pick up current from the rails on the decoder, only the two rear ones will fit. There is a 1/8" gap between the forward contact points on the DCC decoder and the contact points on the engine. You can solder wires to bridge the gap if you'd like, but I didn't. Mine runs perfect.

Just be careful with the motor pickup terminals on the underside of the decoder. They have to be bent just right to contact the decoder. Don't forget to wrap Kapton or other electrical tape around the indentation where the motor goes or you could short-circuit the decoder.

Finally, you also have to slightly grind down the rear clear light diffuser to clear the board about 1-2 mm. Once you do this, it fits!

I'm astounded because several people (several on here too) have told me several times that there was no way to put such a sound decoder in the GP15-1 when I proved them wrong.

  • Member since
    June 2012
  • 2,297 posts
Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Thursday, January 10, 2013 10:12 AM

ok, I'll take a look adn measure once I find my ruler.

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 913 posts
Posted by gatrhumpy on Sunday, January 13, 2013 8:13 PM

The following pictures show the detail and how it fits into the Atlas N scale GP15-1.

You'll see how the front two contact points are not making contact with the decoder, which is fine. The two rear contacts are more than enough to pick up track current.

  • Member since
    June 2012
  • 2,297 posts
Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Sunday, January 13, 2013 9:08 PM

hmmm... ok thanks. I think I'll pay somebody to install DCC in my locos though I'm afraid I'd damage them.

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 913 posts
Posted by gatrhumpy on Sunday, January 13, 2013 9:36 PM

This decoder installation literally took my five minutes. Remove the screws on the side and replace the board and put in the tape in the notches. That's it!

  • Member since
    April 2012
  • 1 posts
Posted by Dperkinssr on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 4:48 PM

Thanks  

I have been looking at that same decoder for over a year and thinking....I have (4) Atlas GP15-1s

(2) CSX and (2) CONRAIL

One at a time...

THANKS

 dennis p

This is 7/23/2015..NOT WORTH IT...The sound, if you want to call it that is a whisper....Very FAINT..I returned the decoder and got my money back.

dennis p.

  • Member since
    April 2014
  • 38 posts
Posted by droughtquake on Friday, July 17, 2015 10:14 PM
Would the MRC 1955 board fit in an Atlas N GP15-1 better than the MRC 1812?

Strength in diversity!

  • Member since
    September 2019
  • 25 posts
Posted by Mo-Pac on Sunday, September 22, 2019 11:46 AM
What size is this decoder compared to the digitrax SDN144A0?

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  • Member since
    September 2019
  • 25 posts
Posted by Mo-Pac on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 1:09 PM

Can you repost these photos please?

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  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 5:20 PM

You solved your reply button issues, but the principals in this thread haven't posted here in 1 and 4 years. 

I'm thinking there aren't a lot of guys that install decoders in N scale, and specifically not in the GP15, since no one has answered either one of our posts.  I'm not sure I gave you this link in the pm I sent you.  There are several decoder installs here

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    September 2019
  • 25 posts
Posted by Mo-Pac on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 6:02 PM

Thanks!Thumbs Up I will check it out!

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  • Member since
    March 2012
  • 716 posts
Posted by trwroute on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 7:32 AM

BigDaddy

I'm thinking there aren't a lot of guys that install decoders in N scale

DCC use in N scale is just as popular as in HO.  There are numerous forums for N scalers, so the question should be asked on one of those.  Sorry, but I probably shouldn't mention any on here...

Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge

  • Member since
    September 2019
  • 25 posts
Posted by Mo-Pac on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 2:07 PM

if not a lot more popular due to size and ability to put a lot in a normal room.

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  • Member since
    September 2019
  • 25 posts
Posted by Mo-Pac on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 2:09 PM

AHH facebook !!Confused

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