Atlas O "smart" dummy?

Did you open it up and see what's in side?  If there is no electronics, then try this.

If you wire them, most likely they'll work.  Virtually all the TMCC boards in locomotives have connections for front and rear couplers.  Obviously, you'll need some sort of tether between the powered and dummy.

Atlas 3-rail dummy units come with pickup rollers and electro-couplers, but no electronics or lighting inside. I guess they do this so they don't have to build or stock a different part-numbered truck for the dummy units as for the powered units.

This does, however, make it relatively easy to add TMCC to a dummy unit. Use a board such as the Mini-Commander EX from Electric RR Co, which is made specifically to provide TMCC-controlled lights and couplers in a dummy unit.  (TAS and Digital Dynamics also offered such modules, but are no longer in business.)

http://www.electricrr.com/MiniCommanderEx.htm 

In that case, with a tether, you could do this with a few wires, the provisions for directional lights and electrocouplers are already in the powered unit.

OGR had an article a couple years ago where George Brown did a conversion to TMCC on the engine you are talking about titled something close to 'Building a Smart Dummy'. He explained the process in detail.  Might be worth a look. 

The other option is if you find an old Lio LCRX which is the board for upgrading dummy engines.  Provides controllable cab light, direction lights and 2 couplers.  Some kits even came with the GP trucks.   G

Thanks guys. Lots of food for thought.

The tether is probably the cheapest way to go but I'm not sure if I can make it look good.

The MiniComm EX is very reasonably priced and offers more flexibility.

I did the Mini Commander Ex in an Atlas sd-40 'dummy'.  Excellent results.  Coupler and light control at your fingertips.  Especially nice when mu'd with any other TMCC power unit.

AF

When the last run of SD-40s was announced Atlas had indicated directional lighting would be included in the dummy units, however when the units were finally shipped this was not the case, Atlas stated rising costs were the reason. One dealer dropped his special run of these units because of the rising cost at that time.

You may want to check electricrr.com since you have pick ups and couplers you can get a dummy board for about $35.00. That would probably make it a lot easier on you then a tether and you could uncouple the engine independent of the power unit. Just some food for thought.

Flash

  We have the Mini "X" in stock $34.95 Shipped. 

Bill

I'd probably go with the board that Boxcar Bill mentions, that's a good price and will do the job.

I just reread an article in the OGR run #238 Oct/Nov 2009 issue called 'Smart Dummy Revisited' where George Brown installed an ERR Mini Commander EX in an Atlas O dummy GP7 to control the couplers and lights.  It's worth a read if you can locate a copy.  It's 2 pages.  I'll copy it and fax/email it to you if you want.  He makes it sound like the most difficult part of the process is getting the body shell off and on.

For my "smart dummy units, I did the following:

1. added atlas O mini switches underneath to add manually directional lighting
2. added forum sponsor Evans dersigns LEd yelowglow lights for headlights and red marker lights
3. added MRc AC souynder units for sound in the dummy units! I used an upgraded 4 ohm speakers for better sound. added the speakers in the fuel tank just like the OEM.

You got it Flash.   Good luck

Atlas is strick about motor replacement. Existing defective motors must be send in with an RGA before new motor assemblies are issued.  This policy is to hindered building powered units from dummies by adding electronics and motors.  Weaver discontinued dummy units.