The new Atlas AEM'S have arrived DCC ready/unready!

Yes, this fine detailed and good running replica of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor Electrics has the DCC, NMRA, 2X4 receptacle, but there is no room for an easy plug'n'play decoder installation. I am refraining from commenting how this can continue to happen! There are two options that will work:

(1) The Lenz/Digitrax combo:

There is room behind one of the cockpits to mount a Digitrax DH140/DH121 transversely using the Lenz wire harness plug assembly. The Digitrax harnesses will not work as well because the wire is to thick! The Lenz, load compensated, LE131 will also fit in the same manner.

(2) The Squeeze Play:

Thin, low profile decoders like the Lenz, LE104 can be made to work by modifying the AEM'S circuit board. Al Schumacher from the West Island MRRC has forwarded the following instructions for "The Squeeze Play" installation. Thanks Al!

Tony,

This is how I installed a Lenz LE105 decoder in the new Atlas AEM-7.

1) Remove couplers and body (comes off quite easily)
2) Remove black tape holding wires on end farthest end from the 8 pin plug
3) Remove both motor wires, and 2 black wires on terminals adjacent to where the motor wires were connected
4) Remove 4 Philips head screws
5) Remove black housing holding lamp and red LED
6) Lift bulbs and LEDs up with PC board.
7) Remove the 2 1N4002 diode's and the 1uf disc cap. May also need to relocate one end of the 1k resistor (brown-black-red).
8) Install the 2 diodes and the 1uf cap on the bottom of the PC board. Be sure
to observe the band on the diode,so that it matches the outline on the top of the PC board. The cap can be installed either way.
9) Lower the PC board back in to place and dress the wires and the bulbs and
LED back where they belong.
10) The decoder will know sit flat, make up 8 pin plug following LENZ diagram. I made the leads quite short.
11) Remove box on top of body(4 little tabs).
12 Remove bulge in top center of body by sanding it flush with inside of body shell.
13 Reinstall body to frame and dress wire's at 8 pin plug at top of body.
14) Reinstall box on top and coupler's and you should be ready to go.

Al Schumacher, West Island Model RR Club

Updated 1/5/2000 :
Hi Tony,
I followed Al Schumacher's Instructions on the installation of the Lenz Decoder. You can also use the NCE/TTE GP 7/30 decoder also. You don't have to bother using wires. Patrick Cadet

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