I wish that these creators who install DCC in locomotives would say if the decoder has sound or not. I, and I am sure that many other hobbyists, would like to know before having to look at a video just to see if sound is included. It would also be great if they specify the decoder they are going to install. Sound is a very important part of the experience. So much so, I would rather choose another locomotive just to have sound. I understand that the ad. exposure is important, but...
Nice older video , especially on the shell removal. ..learn something new every day. Also it would be easier if you just marked the front and the left and right on the chassis with a sharpie.
thanks Joe for the look at how you do the Decoder install. I like the method of shell removal. Does this work with all makes of loco's such as Intermountain. They tend to be a really tight fit and prone to damage of details if removed incorrectly. Also DCC Concepts in West Australia also make the rollers for running in Loco's. I have a set as I don't have a continuous run so far. The good thing is each pack comes with the fittings needed for all the popular scales, so is very versatile for multi-scale modelersEnjoying the series thanks.Neil.W
That little trick works really good with atlas (most times the chassis falls out on the first shot) and Kato. Life Like takes a couple tries. Never tried and intermountain, because I have yet to buy one!
Nice work , as usual Joe. Quick question on your Programming - I normally change the loco long address in JMRI after the decoder is "discovered" but i see you move onto the next screen and program your address under the primary address field.- is there a difference between the two approaches ? Very nice install - :)
Man you know I don't really know. I have been doing it this way for the last couple of locos. I gonna have to try it your way and the next decoder and get back to you.
Joe, I just did a review of my roster; it would appear that the primary address for all my locos is "3" under the basic tab. the extended address is the programmed road number - I deleted then re-added an CNJ1071 SD70ACe - no change in function or performance. I'm going to reach out to the jmri user group and see if I can get some clarity on these fields and their impact. Thanks again keep you posted
ixopop Thanks please keep my informed. Unfortunately I don't have any locomotives lined up for install in the near furture, so I can't mess around with it.
Joe, Looks like the primary address fields has several uses. It is there for legacy older decoders that are incapable of 4 digit addressing. This JMRI link can explain it better than I.... .jmri.sourceforge.net/help/en/manual/DecoderPro3/Comp_Basic.shtml Bottom line is I don't think it is applicable for modern normal decoder uses. Either way will work fine :) off to re-watch your switch wiring episode
Is it possible to apply the digitrax SDN144A0 to the Atlas GP15-1? I am aware that the Digitrax website doesnt give any other options for the GP15-1, besides of the standard decoder. I am assuming that I will might need to modify the frame for the speaker. Assuming the contacts are the same lineup as other atlas frames.and the motor contacts might need to be modified by solider. Any takes on this?
hi Joe... that was a great "how to"... are you going to change some of the CV's??? start voltage.. mid voltage.. top voltage... momentum .. etc??? thanks for sharing.. vinny
Hey Vinny thanks for watching. I have been playing with the headlight CV trying out the "rule 17" operations with little success. It seems that the LEDs that digitrax use don't dim well enough, to be noticed. As for other CVs I'm going to leave them "stock" for now. Once the layout is fully operational I'll will start playing around with that. I'm planning on doing some other decoder install videos, so I'm might cover CVs in one of those videos. Again thanks for your input, always!
I'm about to install the same decoder in my atlas GP15-1. Do you know if the DN163A4 supports advanced consisting? It seems to be implied by using it with the MP switcher, but I thought that I'd ask to make sure.
JMRI is really nice. There is so many features included with it that I can't figure out how they aren't charging for it. You can do switch panels, train operations (car cards), WiFi throttles, fast clock etc. It is a little "techy". The computer interface isn't very "GUI" and feels like your using Windows 3.11 But there is a lot of drop down menus for your settings! And yes you need a computer interface to communicate with your DCC system.
I'm not sure Doug. The GP15-1 is a rather small frame (it isn't much bigger than the MP15). I think if you were determined to, it might be able to be done. The speaker would have to be mounted in the fuel tank (so the frame would require milling) to save space for the decoder.
He may have thought that you also needed the lighting board that you pulled out. But the Digitrax decoder has that part built in so it is all good, my only question is, are you thinking of putting sound into any of your N scale locomotives? Personally I spied some cheap Atlas Analogue Dash 8 locomotives that I am tempted to purchase, and install a European Zimo decoder with a speaker and Dash 9 sounds. I have a Zimo decoder powered DMU, and I am very impressed with it's performance and of course variables that can be tuned, hence why I am considering Zimo decoders.
Thanks for video,Joe ! Watched and heard with pleasure !
Glad you enjoyed it
Great job Joe I'll need all the help I can get since none of my power has decoders yet. Keep up the great work.
Great how to video!-Thanks for posting Joe!
Well done my friend. Very informative.
I wish that these creators who install DCC in locomotives would say if the decoder has sound or not. I, and I am sure that many other hobbyists, would like to know before having to look at a video just to see if sound is included. It would also be great if they specify the decoder they are going to install. Sound is a very important part of the experience. So much so, I would rather choose another locomotive just to have sound. I understand that the ad. exposure is important, but...
Thanks Joe, I'm sure that this help someone get thier feet wet with decoder installs.
Thanks!
THANK YOU...for sharing.
Nice older video , especially on the shell removal. ..learn something new every day. Also it would be easier if you just marked the front and the left and right on the chassis with a sharpie.
Thank you!
good job
Thank you.
nice job on the decoder
Thanks you!
thanks Joe for the look at how you do the Decoder install. I like the method of shell removal. Does this work with all makes of loco's such as Intermountain. They tend to be a really tight fit and prone to damage of details if removed incorrectly. Also DCC Concepts in West Australia also make the rollers for running in Loco's. I have a set as I don't have a continuous run so far. The good thing is each pack comes with the fittings needed for all the popular scales, so is very versatile for multi-scale modelersEnjoying the series thanks.Neil.W
That little trick works really good with atlas (most times the chassis falls out on the first shot) and Kato. Life Like takes a couple tries. Never tried and intermountain, because I have yet to buy one!
Sweet. What was the “scratchy” sound when changing direction?
These are older Atlas models that have the box type motor. They are the quietest and need frequent lubrication. That's probably what the sound is.
Ps. Thank You 🙏
NP!
Nice work , as usual Joe. Quick question on your Programming - I normally change the loco long address in JMRI after the decoder is "discovered" but i see you move onto the next screen and program your address under the primary address field.- is there a difference between the two approaches ? Very nice install - :)
Man you know I don't really know. I have been doing it this way for the last couple of locos. I gonna have to try it your way and the next decoder and get back to you.
Joe, I just did a review of my roster; it would appear that the primary address for all my locos is "3" under the basic tab. the extended address is the programmed road number - I deleted then re-added an CNJ1071 SD70ACe - no change in function or performance. I'm going to reach out to the jmri user group and see if I can get some clarity on these fields and their impact. Thanks again keep you posted
ixopop
Thanks please keep my informed. Unfortunately I don't have any locomotives lined up for install in the near furture, so I can't mess around with it.
Joe,
Looks like the primary address fields has several uses. It is there for legacy older decoders that are incapable of 4 digit addressing. This JMRI link can explain it better than I....
.jmri.sourceforge.net/help/en/manual/DecoderPro3/Comp_Basic.shtml
Bottom line is I don't think it is applicable for modern normal decoder uses. Either way will work fine :)
off to re-watch your switch wiring episode
Is it possible to apply the digitrax SDN144A0 to the Atlas GP15-1? I am aware that the Digitrax website doesnt give any other options for the GP15-1, besides of the standard decoder. I am assuming that I will might need to modify the frame for the speaker. Assuming the contacts are the same lineup as other atlas frames.and the motor contacts might need to be modified by solider. Any takes on this?
That I’m not sure of. I ended up sending this unit and two others to a buddy and had ESU sound decoder installed.
hi Joe... that was a great "how to"... are you going to change some of the CV's??? start voltage.. mid voltage.. top voltage... momentum .. etc??? thanks for sharing.. vinny
Hey Vinny thanks for watching. I have been playing with the headlight CV trying out the "rule 17" operations with little success. It seems that the LEDs that digitrax use don't dim well enough, to be noticed. As for other CVs I'm going to leave them "stock" for now. Once the layout is fully operational I'll will start playing around with that. I'm planning on doing some other decoder install videos, so I'm might cover CVs in one of those videos. Again thanks for your input, always!
I'm about to install the same decoder in my atlas GP15-1. Do you know if the DN163A4 supports advanced consisting? It seems to be implied by using it with the MP switcher, but I thought that I'd ask to make sure.
Does this mean the locomotive no longer has lights, since you removed the light board, or does the decoder have lights on?
Peter Smyth the Decoder had LEDs on it.
wow nice video, does that trick work with HO scale shells too? thanks for sharing
I really can't say because I have never worked on HO stuff.
Is JMRI easy to use? Im still new to DCC, and i have an NCE PowerCab. I understand i need a usb adaptor.
JMRI is really nice. There is so many features included with it that I can't figure out how they aren't charging for it. You can do switch panels, train operations (car cards), WiFi throttles, fast clock etc. It is a little "techy". The computer interface isn't very "GUI" and feels like your using Windows 3.11 But there is a lot of drop down menus for your settings! And yes you need a computer interface to communicate with your DCC system.
+Central Jersey Conrail in N Scale Thanks for the info. I might look into getting it.
hi I do love the job you have done could install the GP 15 could be done in sound
I'm not sure Doug. The GP15-1 is a rather small frame (it isn't much bigger than the MP15). I think if you were determined to, it might be able to be done. The speaker would have to be mounted in the fuel tank (so the frame would require milling) to save space for the decoder.
Ah but still a nice job
what happened to putting the lights back on????
Lights? The lights work they were on during filming, it just didn't show up, I guess.
He may have thought that you also needed the lighting board that you pulled out.
But the Digitrax decoder has that part built in so it is all good, my only question is, are you thinking of putting sound into any of your N scale locomotives?
Personally I spied some cheap Atlas Analogue Dash 8 locomotives that I am tempted to purchase, and install a European Zimo decoder with a speaker and Dash 9 sounds.
I have a Zimo decoder powered DMU, and I am very impressed with it's performance and of course variables that can be tuned, hence why I am considering Zimo decoders.