Athearn Locomotives

I have a Athearn HO Scale MP15 Soo Line and have installed a DH166 decoder. How do I get the rotary beacon to flash? Function Outputs on the DH166 The DH166 is set up at the factory to control six function outputs. The DH163AT is configured to control the forward and reverse lights on the locomotive through the yellow lead and white lead using Function 0 (F0F-forward yellow and F0R-reverse white) for directional lighting. Functions F1(green) and F2 (violet) are part of the harness for easy hookup. F3 and F4 are also available on the decoder board. These can be ...

What Digitrax decoders work in the new Athearn N scale FP45? We recommend the DN163K1C, following the procedure below. One of our editors was able to successfully install both the Digitrax DN163K1B and DN163K1C decoders in the unit. We have determined that the chassis design requires that the decoder be installed backwards. The only problem this poses is that one additional step has to be taken when programming. Both the DN163K1B and DN163K1C decoders are the same footprint with the exception of the LEDs. The DN163K1B has T-1 3mm LEDs and DN163K1C has surface mount LEDs. When the K1B version ...

Athearn Genesis SD70s came factory equipped with a Digitrax designed light board. The board is NOT a DCC decoder. If you want to add a decoder and have alternating ditch lights the following steps are recommended: 1 - Remove locomotive shell; 2 - Remove dummy nine pin plug from wire harness and insert Digitrax DH163D on the harness; 3 - Remove the wires of one of the ditch light bulbs from F1N and F1P and solder them to F2N and F2P; 4 - Program CV51 to 106, CV52 to 107 and CV63 to 40. 5 - Reinstall locomotive shell.F2 on ...

I am installing a DH165A0 in an Athearn SD70. The head light outputs are a nominal 30 ma (with the link cut). The bulbs were of course a bit lower in their current demands and were very bright for a short while. Is there any way to lower the current output from 30ma or do I need to add a resistor in line with the bulb to drop the voltage output? Of course if it is supposed to be a regulated current output this might be a problem. The DH165A0 has a constant current source for F0F and F0R, so ...

Your Athearn example uses the DH123/143 series with the AT clip option, can the DZ123 be used for Athearn older diesels? I am interested because of the small space in S2/4 models. Is the 1 amp DZ123 an option I can use? It is possible that the DZ123 could be used in the older Athearn switchers, but the most important issue will be how much electrical current that the locomotive requires. If the locomotive's stall current is below 1 amp, then the DZ123 can be used. Otherwise, the locomotive motor will eventually, sooner or later, destroy the decoder by drawing ...

I would like to re-power two old Athearn Alco PAs and sandwich a dummy PB in between. I would like to know if is possible /practical to install a sound module in the dummy unit. Actually, there's probably enough room to fit something in the A-units, but you could install sound into the B-unit if there is a way for track power to reach the sound unit. Consider the SoundBug SFX006 which replaces the SFX004): The speaker diameter is 28mm, or just a bit larger than an inch. You will need to fit the speaker into a baffle and the ...

Q: I have a late 70's or early 80's Athearn EMD DD40. An article on Wiring For DCC suggested a DH83FX - 2amp decoder for Athearn "Covered Wagons." The pictures look like the inside of my loco except the DD40 has twin motors with joined drive shafts. In researching your site, I realize that the DH83FX is no longer manufactured, but I was led to the DH163AT as the current replacement. Will this work? I have some other Athearn SD40 units, same vintage, but single motors. Is this the correct decoder for them? A: The "AT" in the decoder name ...

This installation covers how to install a Digitrax decoder with wires in any Athearn HO locomotive.  Use either our DH123 (headlight functions only) or DH163 (headlights plus additional functions) for this installation.*** Note: This installation is based on installing a Digitrax wired decoder in an Athearn Dash 9-44CW. The process is similar for any Digitrax mobile decoder with wires. The instructions are also easily applicable for any Athearn locomotive.These instructions assume that you have already run the loco and have established that it is working properly before beginning installation. Remember, installing a decoder in a locomotive will not improve its ...

I have a DH165AO decoder and Sound Bug and am installing the decoders into an Athearn SD70 Locomotive.The motor controller works and the sound as well. However, I am unable to get the lights to work. I connected the wire leads exactly as they where on the Athearn light board. Athearn uses twin forward and rear 1.5 volt lights yet the DH165AO will not power the bulbs. It will power one bulb at either end but not two. The single bulb setup glows very brightly but for a short time. So I tried using the 47 ohm resistor in parallel ...

The Athearn N-Scale P59PHI was not designed for a plug 'n play or board replacement installation therefore, a wired installation will be necessary. This installation is straightforward if you follow the instructions provided below. There is plenty of room inside the locomotive for this installation. See the Digitrax Decoder Selector on our home page to determine which current production decoder is recommended for this installation. Athearn N-Scale P59PHI Installation Instructions for Digitrax Decoders:1. Remove the locomotive's shell. Note which end of the frame is the front and which is the back.2. Remove the light board that is installed on the ...