what digatrax....

[Gardner]

I am a newbie when it comes to DCC and have several locomotives from the 1990s I'd like to convert to digital operation. My questrion is what decoder should I purchase for Atlas GE C30-7 and U36C locomotives. I asked about Digatrax because I'm purchasing one of that company's starter sets.

Gardner

 

[Selector]

... I asked about Digatrax because I'm purchasing one of that company's starter sets.

Gardner

You don't need to worry about matching manufacturers of decoders to DCC management systems. They all follow conventions agreed upon some time back. There are minor differences, but a decoder that works with NCE will also work with MRC and Digitrax, Easy DCC, and Lenz, for examples. So, if you suspect you'd like to shop around some more, please feel free.

By the way, if you shop at places like Litchfield Station and Tony's Train Exchange, most often they'll be able to look it up and tell you which of one or three decoders would be a good match to any one locomotive in any scale.

Crandell

 

[Gardner]

Thanks for your suggestions. I am wondering what specific options I have for decoders which will work with my older Atlas locos. I am aware that most DCC manufacturers conform with the AMRA standards which results in a number of decoders that would suitable. My problem is these Atlas models were produced some 12-15 years ago.

Gardner

 

[kbkchooch]

Thanks for your suggestions. I am wondering what specific options I have for decoders which will work with my older Atlas locos. I am aware that most DCC manufacturers conform with the AMRA standards which results in a number of decoders that would suitable. My problem is these Atlas models were produced some 12-15 years ago.
Gardner

Not a problem! I also have a good number of older Atlas engines with DCC installed. The basic rules of thumb for installing DCC are pretty much 1) You must isolate the motor (electricly) from the frame, 2) you need to select a decoder that can handle the amp draw of the motor, and 3) you need to have enough interior room in the model so that wires and decoders are not pinched or crushed when reinstalling the shell.

Most average sized 1 amp decoders will fit the bill. Occasionally I have had to use 1 amp n or z scale decoders on ho stuff, but this is not the norm.