N Scale DCC decoder installation

[retsignalmtr]

i just installed decoders in two atlas gp38's a few weeks ago. they were dcc ready and i just had to take out the circuit board with the lights and install the digitrax decoder. a 10 minute process. i'm only going to buy decoder equiped locos in the future unless i can't get it dcc equiped. i've got some gp7's and gp20's that need frame mods to fit the decoders that i'll be doing in the future. you have to be sure that the decoders that you use can distinguish between dc and dcc.

[Bikerdad]

Very few N scale locomotives presently come with harnesses. To my knowledge, the only North American manufacturer who has used harnesses (and pin connectors) is Con-Cor.

Decoder ready in N scale means anywhere from "split frame with an isolated motor" to "hey, we've got a plug for ya already wired up and ready to go", with most falling closer to the former. The majority of Decoder ready N scale locos have split frames, isolated motors, and either space for a wired decoder OR you can replace the light board with a drop-in decoder board w/ lights.

All of Atlas's factory installed decoders will operate fine under DC.

Given that I've heard the installation in Atlas's DCC ready locos is somewhat trickier than the Kato, IM, and MT offerings, I'd go with DCC equipped on them unless you have a hankering for decoders with all the gee-whiz features. I have done one install on a non-DCC ready Atlas that involved milling the frame (bad instructions here on MR!!! warning!! warning!!).

[Anonymous]

there will be space inside a DCC ready loco. You have to take it apart to find exactly what you need though. Most of the new decoders have automatic DCC/DC conversion. I like the TCS line of decoders because if you break it, short it, burn it out, whatever. Send it back to TCS and they replace it free and no questions asked.

[Musepro]

Hi all!

I was wondering if the DCC ready N scale locos have the space allocated for the decoder? I understand that they have the 8 pin connector for easy installation, but do they have the space machined out of the frame, or wherever the manufacturer puts it's decoder, ready for you? I am buying some Atlas locos, and dont know if I should get the DCC equiped versions or if the DCC ready ones will work fine and prove to be easy to install a decoder when I'm ready. I dont have a DCC system yet, so I'd like to run my locos on DC until I have the DCC system. Do the DCC equiped versions have auto DC/DCC switching built in like the BLI stuff? Thanks!

jt burke
Marion, OH