I recently purchased 2 new old stock Atlas Master GP-38 locomotives with factory DCC. The units were both sealed in the boxes and I'm confident they have never been run. When I first placed each one on a DCC powered track I got the usual high pitched noise that happens when you place a DC locomotive on a DCC powered track. According to the instructions there is a jumper that must be changed from the "analog" to digital setting.
I'm certainly not an expert with DCC but I've managed to program a few new decoders before and adjust CV's etc. so I'm not a complete novice.
I'm assuming here that "analog" is for DC operation and "digital" is for DCC. Is that correct?
I took the shell off of one locomotive, and the jumper was set to "analog". I moved it to the position for "digital". Put it back on my DCC powered track and no more noise however I can't get it to respond to any programming, it is almost like the locomotive isn't even there.
I have 2 DCC systems on 2 different layouts. I have an MRC prodigy express which has a program track, I've tried programming on both the main and the program track. I do get the little flash of the light that I've seen with other locomotives when programming the unit but I can't get any functions to respond. The MRC unit doesn't have the ability to read any info from the decoder so I can't tell if it is able to pull any information from it.
When I try on my NEC I get no response whatsoever from the decoder, the hand unit just acts as if there is nothing on the tracks. I've tried programming on the main and on the programming track even though I don't have a seperate programming track for the NEC.
I've tried doing a factory reset with no change.
Both of these units run fine on DC with the jumper set to "analog", smooth motion, headlights work properly.
My next step is to remove the shell on the other locomotive so I can change the jumper and try it but I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for me to try first. I'll have to say the shells on these units are pretty hard to remove and they are very fragile.
Are these Master "Silver" or "Gold" locomotives? If Master Silver then you need to install a decoder in the them. Only the "Gold" locomotives comes with (sound) decoders.
I just wanted to confirm that your locomotives actually came with decoders.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Those are early Atlas (Lenz) decoders and you are correct in the need to move that jumper plug in order to operate them on DCC.
What address are you using in your attempts to acquire the engine on your DCC system(s) ? The factory default on those decoders is 3.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
I'm honestly not sure. Here is the box and the inside of the locomotive.
https://flic.kr/p/2q3fz9q
https://flic.kr/p/2q3fz9W
IbanezGuiness I recently purchased 2 new old stock Atlas Master GP-38 locomotives with factory DCC. The units were both sealed in the boxes and I'm confident they have never been run. When I first placed each one on a DCC powered track I got the usual high pitched noise that happens when you place a DC locomotive on a DCC powered track. According to the instructions there is a jumper that must be changed from the "analog" to digital setting. I'm certainly not an expert with DCC but I've managed to program a few new decoders before and adjust CV's etc. so I'm not a complete novice. I'm assuming here that "analog" is for DC operation and "digital" is for DCC. Is that correct? I took the shell off of one locomotive, and the jumper was set to "analog". I moved it to the position for "digital". Put it back on my DCC powered track and no more noise however I can't get it to respond to any programming, it is almost like the locomotive isn't even there. I have 2 DCC systems on 2 different layouts. I have an MRC prodigy express which has a program track, I've tried programming on both the main and the program track. I do get the little flash of the light that I've seen with other locomotives when programming the unit but I can't get any functions to respond. The MRC unit doesn't have the ability to read any info from the decoder so I can't tell if it is able to pull any information from it. When I try on my NEC I get no response whatsoever from the decoder, the hand unit just acts as if there is nothing on the tracks. I've tried programming on the main and on the programming track even though I don't have a seperate programming track for the NEC. I've tried doing a factory reset with no change. Both of these units run fine on DC with the jumper set to "analog", smooth motion, headlights work properly. My next step is to remove the shell on the other locomotive so I can change the jumper and try it but I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for me to try first. I'll have to say the shells on these units are pretty hard to remove and they are very fragile.
With the Atlas GP-38 Master you can see the printed circut board and get to the jumper by removing the center section (in the instructions that I hope you have and can look at, it is called the dynamic brake hatch DBH) on the top of the long hood. To remove (there is a catch on both ends of the DBH) lift/pull up the forward end first. To replace put the rear end down in to place first then snap down the forward end second.
Is this what your PCB looks like? This one is set/plugged in the DCC postion.
I believe I've tried address 3 and I've tried programming the long address to the road number but I still get no response.
Perhaps my procedure isn't correct. Are there any instructions or a video I can watch to program these step by step? The manual doesn't do this.
Wow you can just remove the dynamic brakes, that is helpful to know!
My PCB looks similar but not exact, I posted a link to a picture above.
IbanezGuinessI'm honestly not sure. Here is the box and the inside of the locomotive. https://flic.kr/p/2q3fz9q https://flic.kr/p/2q3fz9W
While I see "Decoder Equipped" on the box, I don't see a decoder in the photo.
Did you pick these up online - e.g. eBay? It's possible that whoever owned them before removed the decoders and replaced them with the DC shorting plug that came with the locomotive.
Your handheld display should be on "0" to run the loco on DC with the jumper in the rearward postion. With the jumper in the forward postion set for DCC the default address is "3".
IbanezGuiness Wow you can just remove the dynamic brakes, that is helpful to know! My PCB looks similar but not exact, I posted a link to a picture above.
In your photo it looks like you have the Atlas Dual-mode 4 function #342 DCC decoder. Now, none of my Atlas DCC #decoders have that round brown two legged thing that you have on your decoder in your picture on your PCB lugs going to the motor.
I would set the loco's wheels down on a solid surface, hold the body securly and lift up on forward end of the DBH.
PC101 Your handheld display should be on "0" to run the loco on DC with the jumper in the rearward postion. With the jumper in the forward postion set for DCC the default address is "3".
If he has a NCE system this does not work. NCE does not have this capability.
So straight out of the box I should be able to move the jumper to the correct position, set my controller to address 3, and the loco should function. Correct?
Correct. Decoders generally are set to the default address of "3". If your locomotive will operate on address "3" then it should be able to be programmed.
I'm positive I've tried that but I'll do it again to be sure.
I'll do it on the second locomotive as well.
Pull the jumper out and double check that you have four (4) pins sticking out of the jumper.
I did that and it does. I haven't ohmed the connections though to make sure its a good jumper, I'll try that if all else fails.
Here is the decoder instruction manual in case anyone wants to view:
https://download.atlasrr.com/DCC/New%20HO%204-Function%20Manual%20Atlas.pdf
Hey guys, what is the purpose of this round brown two legged item on the PCB motor lugs. Could this item be messing with the programing function? I have no decoaders with that item on. I never had trouble programing (with a Lenz system) Atlas decoders.
PC101 Hey guys, what is the purpose of this round brown two legged item on the PCB motor lugs. Could this item be messing with the programing function? I have no decoaders with that item on. I never had trouble programing (with a Lenz system) Atlas decoders.
I would highly recommend removing that ceramic disc capacitor between the motor terminals. It is used as a noise suppressant and is mandatory in European locomotives. It serves no real purpose here and has been known to cause interference with US DCC systems.
PC101what is the purpose of this round brown two legged item on the PCB motor lugs.
I don't know, but I believe that the original board didn't include it
:
maxman Here is the decoder instruction manual in case anyone wants to view: https://download.atlasrr.com/DCC/New%20HO%204-Function%20Manual%20Atlas.pdf
Thanks for post that, that is way more information than the short manual that came with the locomotive.
tstage IbanezGuiness I'm honestly not sure. Here is the box and the inside of the locomotive. https://flic.kr/p/2q3fz9q https://flic.kr/p/2q3fz9W While I see "Decoder Equipped" on the box, I don't see a decoder in the photo. Did you pick these up online - e.g. eBay? It's possible that whoever owned them before removed the decoders and replaced them with the DC shorting plug that came with the locomotive. Tom
IbanezGuiness I'm honestly not sure. Here is the box and the inside of the locomotive. https://flic.kr/p/2q3fz9q https://flic.kr/p/2q3fz9W
That is an old model Atlas (Lenz) decoder that was motor control only (no sound). The very first was model 340 with slightly upgraded versions under item numbers 341 and 342, all non sound DCC decoders.
Mark R.That is an old model Atlas (Lenz) decoder that was motor control only (no sound).
Correct.
From HOSEEKER.NET:
So I took the second unit that I have not tried to program, removed the dynamic brake cover and switched the jumper to digital. Put it on my track, set my controller to address 3, no response at all. I tried programming it with no repsonse.
It sure seems unlikey that two sealed units would both have bad decoders but it sure seems that way.
Have you tried using the last 2 digits of the running number? I have a vague memory of Atlas using this as the default instead of 3 many years ago.
Regards Jon.
Page 5 of the decoder instructions I posted talks about "power recycling" after trying to program, tipping the engine off the tracks for 5-10 seconds. Did you try that?
jdobo Have you tried using the last 2 digits of the running number? I have a vague memory of Atlas using this as the default instead of 3 many years ago. Regards Jon.
Have not tried that but I will.
maxman Page 5 of the decoder instructions I posted talks about "power recycling" after trying to program, tipping the engine off the tracks for 5-10 seconds. Did you try that?
Yes I did that.
I also forgot to mention that I removed the capacitor as well.
I have two old Atlas Gold B40-8s that had a similar set-up, moving the jumper made the decoder work on both. On mine, I believe (haven't looked inside in a while) there were three rows of holes in the receptacle. You move the jumper from being plugged into rows 1 and 2, to being plugged into rows 2 and 3. No pins should be sticking out from the plug. (Note this is just a jumper, not a decoder, the decoder is more like a light-board replacement decoder.)
The fact that you can't read anything back doesn't mean it's not programming, some decoders are like that. Sometimes adding a 'booster' will help (although usually that only applies to sound decoders). But anyway, maybe move the jumper and try setting CV1 to a number like 003 and see if the engine responds.