Layouts and layout building

How can the Atlas signal system components be used with DCC?  I am looking for a detailed description and any additional components required to use the Atlas system in a stand alone mode with DCC.  I am using Lenz DCC, but have been unable to get any useful detailed info from Atlas on specifically how I can make their signal system operate using DCC. I need wiring hookup info (connections, pin-to-pin, etc.) as well as detailed suggestions on using additional detector and power supplies to make the Atlas signal system function with DCC.

Hi trainpilot1,

Unfortunately I am using DC but I read this in the Signal System brochure by Atlas:

"The Atlas Model RR Signal System can be used on layouts operating on either analog (direct current), or Digital Command Control, (DCC), with a "block detector" compatible with DCC, (not available from Atlas)."

It depends on what you want to do with it?! If you wish to run the signals integrated and change as it detects the locomotive and change the previous signal to yellow I would say you would need the signal control board to control the signal and instead of using the Atlas detector you would use a DCC equivalent.

I did an experiment with the signal control board(SCB), all the detector does is ground the SCB detector input, so I used a set of point contacts to ground the appropriate input on the SCB and use the signal to confirm the position of a point in a tunnel. I plan to use the rest of the signals as integrated.

For your information, if you use a double target signal, you will need two SCBs to control each signal.

Hope this helps?! I found the manual to be pretty good but after actually playing with a few the detail about needing two SCBs for each signal head didn't click until seeing one in the flesh.

Nige.

Thanks for your response. So a DCC block detector(s) (NCE, Circuitron, etc.) would be used in place of what part of the Atlas signal system ? And how ,specifically, would you connect a block detector into the Atlas system ? I confess I am not an electrical engineer and do not understand exactly what the Atlas components need to do for the signals to work in DCC. Originally, Atlas indicated the system could be made to work in DCC using a block detector sensing the (current?) to operate the lamps via 'coiled' leads picking up DCC power. They also suggested getting with NCE to see if the Atlas signal system had been tested using NCE detectors. I've never received a response from NCE, and needles to say the Atlas answers have been incomplete at best.

trainpilot1 wrote:

Thanks for your response. So a DCC block detector(s) (NCE, Circuitron, etc.) would be used in place of what part of the Atlas signal system ? And how ,specifically, would you connect a block detector into the Atlas system ? I confess I am not an electrical engineer and do not understand exactly what the Atlas components need to do for the signals to work in DCC. Originally, Atlas indicated the system could be made to work in DCC using a block detector sensing the (current?) to operate the lamps via 'coiled' leads picking up DCC power. They also suggested getting with NCE to see if the Atlas signal system had been tested using NCE detectors. I've never received a response from NCE, and needles to say the Atlas answers have been incomplete at best.

trainpilot1,

The DCC block detector would replace the Atlas Block Detector Board (BDB), i.e. current. The Signal Control Board (SCB) is basically a microcontroller that controls the signal lights. The BDB has an output that it is connected to the SCB as an input. The manual for the signals is located here: http://www.atlasrr.com/downloads.htm.

From looking quickly at the NCE website, you would use a BD-20 in place of the Atlas BDB. On page 6 of the Atlas Signal Manual, there is a digram showing the SCB, on the terminal J5 there is a pin (screw terminal) called DIN, this is the detector input. From what I read on the NCE website you would connect Terminal 2 of the BD-20 to the DIN input of the SCB as from what I understand this terminal is grounded when a locomotive is detected, which is what the Atlas BDB does when a locomotive is detected. http://www.ncedcc.com/ncetest/nce2.htm

I would recommend buying, an Atlas Signal, Atlas SCB  and an NCE BD-20 and testing them together. You can also see how everything look sin the flesh rather than in the manuals.

Hope this helps?!

Nige.

Sounds like a how to thread waiting to happen.

Any takers?

spidge wrote:

Sounds like a how to thread waiting to happen. Any takers?

I'll leave it to trainpilot1 to show us how it is done. I'm more than happy to answer any more questions from trainpilot1 to help out!

Nige.

The BD-20 works. I bought 2 of them today and installed them in about 5 min. Problem I had with the atlas signal block board was the engine would slow down when it hit the insulated track section. works perfect now.

glenn 

Nige,

     Sorry for the long time it took to get back to you. Busy doing N scale track work. Thanks for your assistance...greatly appreciated.  Per an Atlas rep I spoke to today, there is no problem using the Atlas system as is with DCC. The trick is getting DCC power to the Atlas detector correctly so that the current draw from a DCC locomotive can be detected and initiate the signal lights correctly. Apparently, the key is connecting a 'right hand' feeder within an isolated (track) block in series with the TS1 on the Atlas Block Detection Board (BDB). The Atlas rep also addressed the loss of power while moving through the signal block, and indicated an easy fix for that also. Unfortunately, I did not get the details on the power, but will in the future.  Good to hear the NCE BD20 works also. Is effectiveness of train detection related to how many turns of feeder you make around the BD20 coil ? Ever seen a Garratt steam locomotive in Australia ?