Atlas MP15DC (2017)

Scale:
N Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:


This installation documentation is for the N Scale Atlas MP15DC. This installation uses the MP-15N decoder, and was performed by TCS.

Locomotive shown prior to installation.
Locomotive shown prior to installation.
First, in order to remove the locomotive shell, remove the trucks and fuel tank. On the underside of the locomotive toward the cab there are two metal bars which stick out past the rest of the chassis. Slide a small screwdriver under the metal bars and gently separate the shell from the body. Once it is partially separated, gently spread the shell and lift straight off the chassis.
First, in order to remove the locomotive shell, remove the trucks and fuel tank. On the underside of the locomotive toward the cab there are two metal bars which stick out past the rest of the chassis. Slide a small screwdriver under the metal bars and gently separate the shell from the body. Once it is partially separated, gently spread the shell and lift straight off the chassis.
The light shield may be attached to the frame with contact cement or other adhesive, so handle carefully when detaching. Remove any dried adhesive to ensure a clean fit when re-installing.
The light shield may be attached to the frame with contact cement or other adhesive, so handle carefully when detaching. Remove any dried adhesive to ensure a clean fit when re-installing.
With the light shield removed, separate the halves of the frame by loosening the two frame screws. Gently pull them apart and then remove the factory board. Be careful to retain the four brass contact tabs from the factory board - they will be re-used.
With the light shield removed, separate the halves of the frame by loosening the two frame screws. Gently pull them apart and then remove the factory board. Be careful to retain the four brass contact tabs from the factory board - they will be re-used.
Gently re-attach the brass contact tabs to the new decoder, which should create a tight fit between the board and the frame. Replace the factory board with the TCS MP-15N, paying special attention to the orientation of the board. Be careful to align the two motor tabs with the contacts on the bottom of the decoder. Notice the surface-mount LED on the front of the board (radiator) is located on the top, and the LED on the rear (cab) is mounted to the bottom of the board.
Gently re-attach the brass contact tabs to the new decoder, which should create a tight fit between the board and the frame. Replace the factory board with the TCS MP-15N, paying special attention to the orientation of the board. Be careful to align the two motor tabs with the contacts on the bottom of the decoder. Notice the surface-mount LED on the front of the board (radiator) is located on the top, and the LED on the rear (cab) is mounted to the bottom of the board.
Reassemble the two halves of the frame and replace the light shield, fuel tanks, and trucks. The back of the TCS board should fit perfectly within the notches in the side of the light shield. You may opt to re-cement the shield in place.
Reassemble the two halves of the frame and replace the light shield, fuel tanks, and trucks. The back of the TCS board should fit perfectly within the notches in the side of the light shield. You may opt to re-cement the shield in place.
Finally, replace the locomotive shell. First, align the frame and body, then gently spread the shell so the frame can pass through. Slowly guide the shell down onto the frame. The top of the light shield must be aligned perfectly with a slot in the cab before the shell will sit back down on the frame. Note: The directional lighting functions may be reversed in your Atlas MP15DC after this installation. To correct this, simply swap the values in CV49 and CV50 from 0 and 16 to 16 and 0 respectively.
Finally, replace the locomotive shell. First, align the frame and body, then gently spread the shell so the frame can pass through. Slowly guide the shell down onto the frame. The top of the light shield must be aligned perfectly with a slot in the cab before the shell will sit back down on the frame. Note: The directional lighting functions may be reversed in your Atlas MP15DC after this installation. To correct this, simply swap the values in CV49 and CV50 from 0 and 16 to 16 and 0 respectively.

Important Soldering Tip

Please do not use any flux either liquid or paste on the mother board. Over time, the acidic properties of liquid or paste flux will begin eating away at the fiberglass PCB and will damage it. Use only Rosin-core solder or no-clean flux approved for electronics use.

TCS recommends the use of Kester "44" Sn63 Pb37, .015" diameter Rosin-core solder. Kester part number 24-6337-0007.

You can order this solder from the following retailers:
Digikey - PN:KE1110-ND
Techni-Tool - PN:488SO6775

Other solder tips

When stripping wire, only strip a tiny little bit of the insulation. Strip no more than a 1/32 of an inch. When the wire gets tinned with solder, the insulation will shrink back more. Try to not expose any more wire than half the length of the solder pad at most. In no case should solder or exposed wire wire ever be outside the boundary of the the solder pad you are attaching a wire to.
Click here for important information on properly Stripping and Tinning wire