Decoder Installations Wired

How to add DCC to the new run of Bachmann DCC ready Dash 8-40CW? The current recommendation is for direct soldering, using either DZ125, which controls headlights only or DZ143, which controls headlight and two additional functions. With earlier units, either milling of the frame or a replacement frame was necessary, but the new units have a "DCC ready frame"; the source of this information also points out that Bachmann is using the same model number for both the older version and the newer version, so you should make certain that you have the recent version.

Prior to Disassembly Test the Decoder All Digitrax decoders are tested for proper operation before they leave the factory, but sometimes strange things happen. Therefore to insure your decoder is covered under our warranty policy, please give it a thorough test BEFORE you cut the wires. Test Run the Locomotive Be sure it runs correctly in both directions with no unusual noises or binding in the motor-gear train. If it checks out OK, then: Get Ready Before you start, get your tools and supplies together for this project. You will need the following items: DECODER TESTER - Such as the ...

The DH163 series decoders are set up at the factory to control six function outputs. The DH163 is configured to control the forward and reverse lights on the locomotive through the white lead and yellow lead using Function 0 (F0F-forward and F0R-reverse) 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 accessed by snipping the shrink wrap and peeling it back to expose the solder pads that control these functions: To use these functions, solder a wire from the pad ...

I have numerous locomotives I wish to convert to DCC. In order to spread the cost out over time I would like to install the connector/harness and add the decoder at a later date. Is it possible to buy the connector/harness assembly separately? Yes, there are several harnesses which are part of the Digitrax Easy Connect systemThis System Included the:DHWH - 9 pin to bare wires wire harnessDHDP - 9 pin dummy plugs to convert for analog operationDHWHPS - 9 pin to DCC medium plug short harness 1"DHWHP - 9 pin to DCC medium plug long harness 3"DHAT - 9 pin ...

The DN163M0 is set up at the factory to control six functions. The unit is prewired with one golden-white LED (shown in figure below) for the headlight and set up as Function 0 (F0F-forward). Function outputs F0F/Yellow, F1/Green, F2/Violet, F3/Brown and F4/White/Yellow are available on the decoder and can be used by soldering wires from the pads indicated to the lights (or other functions) you wish to control. CAUTION: When adding function wires, be very careful that the wires you add do not come into contact with any other pads or components on the board where they might create a ...

Installation Notes: 1. Do not exceed the decoder’s 500mA total function output rating. 2. We recommend that the Blue wire, also called +Common or Lamp Common, be connected as shown. If you wish to omit the Blue wire in your installation, consult the Digitrax Decoder Manual for more information. 3. The head lamp should be hooked up using the Blue/+Common wire for optimal Digitrax transponding operation. 4. To use a function output with an inductive (coil) type load, see the Digitrax Decoder Manual for more information to avoid damage to the decoder. 5. See the Digitrax Decoder Manual for full ...

The DZ125 is set up at the factory to control two function outputs. The DZ125 is configured to control the forward and reverse lights on the locomotive through the white lead and yellow lead using Function 0 (F0F-forward and F0R-reverse) for directional lighting. Both function outputs can be easily set up with Digitrax FX3 lighting effects or as standard on/off functions with the following operational qualifiers: 1. Forward or Reverse direction of travel, or 2. Whether F0 is on or off, or 3. Both direction of travel and whether F0 is on or off, or 4. Whether the locomotive is ...

1. Carefully remove the locomotive’s shell from the frame. Notice the orientation of the shell to the frame so that you can reinstall correctly. 2. The DZ125 has 6” wires that you will solder directly to the appropriate connections inside the locomotive. The smaller size allows the decoder to be easily installed in a variety of locomotives. The bare ends of the wires are wired to the motor connections, power pickup connections and the lights according to this standard. Note: Avoid stressing the solder connections of the wires to the decoder board. If a connection is broken, carefully solder the wire ...

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 ...

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 ...

Wired Mobile Decoder with SoundFX™+Accessory type functions for most HO scale Locomotives.

Wired Mobile Decoder with SoundFX™+Accessory type functions for most HO scale Locomotives. 1. Connect the Red and Black track wires from the 7 connector Track and Function leads to the locomotive track power connections. 2. Connect the function leads that are to be used from the 7 conductor Track and Function wire set. Note that to be able to readback Sound FX CV's a combination of function lead loads of at least 60mA at 12volts should be connected to these function leads. Insulate the unused function leads so they cannot short to the locomotive frame or track power. 3. Mount ...

I have several old brass locos and they have Pittman motors. I have tried DH163 Decoders and blown two. I believe that they draw excess current that exceeds 1.5amp cont. Is there an HO mobile decoder with the same size physically as DH series, but has higher current ratings? Suggestions? While it is possible that the motor may be drawing too much current, it also may be possible that the motor brushes are not isolated from the frame of the locomotive. It also would be helpful for you to determine the stall current of the locomotive to see if the ...

DG583S - Function Outputs 1. Function outputs are rated at 2 Amps each. Do not exceed the decoder’s 5 Amp total output rating. This total includes the motor current and total of all function output currents.2. To use a function output with an inductive(coil) type load, see the Digitrax Decoder Manual for more information to avoid damage to the decoder.3. See the Digitrax Decoder Manual for full details of wiring 12-16V lamps, 1.5V lamps, and LEDs. Lamps that draw more than 80 mA when running require a 22 ohm 1/4 watt resistor in series with the directional light function lead ...

1) Connect the Red and Black track wires from the 9 pin Track and Function harness to the locomotive track power connections.2) Connect the function leads that are to be used from the 9pin Track and Function harness. Note that to be able to readback Sound FX CV's a combination of function lead loads of at least 60mA at 12volts should be connected to these function leads. Insulate the unused function leads so they cannot short to the locomotive frame or track power.3) Mount the 28mm speaker attached to the 10pin sound feature harness in an appropriate sound enclosure. Be ...

Do you have a reference for wiring Proto 2000 older geeps with a decoder (not necessarily sound)? We actually have several Life-Like Proto's sitting around for conversion to DCC, including an older GP-18, older FA's and such that date back to the days when DCC was just a twinkle in AJ's eyes. Overall, converting these locomotives will be fairly easy but there are a few things to watch for. Make sure that the decoder has enough capacity to match the current demands of the locomotive mechanism.  You must measure the stall current of the locomotive to determine this.   Make ...

I have an older Rivarossi Heisler that I have just installed a decoder in. I have 2 other Rivarossi engines, older, with decoders in them and they work. I use them as a template. Anyway, I can't get the Heisler to run. I have the orange wire at one side of the motor and the gray at the other. The red is soldered to the frame and the black is connected to the front screw where I disconnected the light etc. I just soldered the wires together. The motor is OUT of the frame so no short can happen. Can you ...

"I had two Proto 1000 RDC's that I wanted to convert. After opening up the first one, I did what I usually do, yanked out all the circuit boards and such, threw them over my shoulder and commenced to hardwiring the decoder into the unit. Everything went fine, and I took it with me to a friend's railroad to enjoy what I had done. After I got there and played a bit, my friend commented that wasn't it neat that the Proto 1000 series has wiring connections on the circuit board in the locomotive, making things considerably easier. Wiring points?" ...

This article courtesy of Ken Bessler, concerning installation of a decoder into earlier Kato C4400W's.  Current produiction of these locomotives use DN163K1C or similar board replacement decoder.I wanted to convert my 2 new Kato AC4400CW's to DCC but there were several problems:1) The recommended PnP decoder, DN163K1a has a chip right where a shell component is. Using this decoder requires shaving off the plastic retainer clip under the exhaust stack. IMHO this is not good as it leaves too little support for the stack.2) My dealer was out of stock of the PnP decoders.3) A quick look inside the loco shows ...

This note addresses the installation of an H0-Scale wired decoder into Bachmann Plus ABA F-7s; it calls for using a DH140, which has been retired.  Current decoders such as the DH123 or DH163 or similar wired decoders can be used. Just finished up doing a few HO Bachmann Plus F7's, ABA's to be exact. Thought maybe some of you might be interested in how the DCC conversion went on these.They are an easy conversion!1.  The full stall current for these ranged from 500-700 ma for each loco . I selected Digitrax DH140 for the A units and a DH120 for the B ...

This application note is courtesy of Michael K. Perrin, and addresses the installation of an N-Scale decoder in the Bachmann F40PH (now discontinued).  This note calls for using either DN93 or DN140, both of which have been discontinued.  Current decoders such as the DZ125 or DZ143 and other similar N scale decoders can be used.1) Cut a place for the decoder in the back recess in the frame. Because this is a "sandwich" frame there is no room for the decoder without using a saw or Dremel tool to make a cavity for the decoder. (This is the hardest part of the ...

These instructions detail the installation of a wired Digitrax decoder (a DN140 in this example, but many wired decoders may be used) into an Atlas GP35 manufactured by Kato prior to September, 2007.  These units are marked "Japan" on the bottom of the locomotive.  Units marked "China" use a board replacement decodr such as the DN163A2.Installation DiagramNotes:A. Be sure motor leads (Gray & Orange) do not touch frames & have protective insulation in place.B. Be sure frame is straight & mechanism is correctly reassembled & can turn freely without binding.Wired Decoder Installation InstructionsFollow these steps for decoder installation with either ...

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 ...

Note: These instructions cover the hardwired installation of any Digitrax decoder with wires into a Kato GP35 H0 Diesel. Currently, the recommended decoder for current production GP35's from Kato are the DH163K0 board replacement decoder.  Using the board replacement decoders are much simpler and cleaner installation than the one described here.Tools Needed for Decoder InstallationYou'll need a few simple tools:1. A soldering iron, preferably temperature controlled.2. Solder3. Screwdriver4. Small diagonal cutters for cutting and stripping small wire5. TweezersMotor Isolation for Kato GP35Carefully remove the loco's shell and weight.To isolate the motor, disconnect the brass strips (motor brushes) from the track pick up ...

This installation procedure is for the DIGITRAX DH166/DH126 decoder. Alternatively, you can use a Digitrax DN166 in this installation. If you use the DN166 the installation will require fewer engine modifications because of the smaller physical size of the decoder.Note any decoder of smaller physical size can be used in this installation.  DN136D, DN166, DZ126, DZ126, DZ146 are all possibilities. After removing the shell from the locomotive chassis, note the color and location of each of the various wires.  All connections must be soldered with rosin core solder and insulated with shrink tubing.We will locate the decoder in the forward ...

Many thanks to Bob Dattore for this application note!This app note details using a DN142 decoder for the installation.  This decoder is no longer in production but the following decoders would work as well:  DN135D, DN163, DZ123, DZ125, DZ143.  Any decoder that is small enough to fit could be used.The Problem:  Atlas RS1's (and RS3's & RSD4/5's) are hard to install Digitrax decoders in. There is no easy drop-in or light board replacement with back-emf capability.I have installed several Atlas Dual Mode decoders in these popular hard to fit narrow, low hood diesels with ease, by replacing the original light ...

Many thanks to Dick Sutcliffe, Superintendent BR &T Railway Co. for this application note!Install the DN121 in the tender   1. The tender is easy to open by removing two screws so you can pull the decoder out and put in a plug when running on DC layouts.   2. Use a piece of styrene to raise the decoder off the weight.   3. Notch the front edge of the tender frame to bring the wires through to loco (all power pick up is in the loco).   4. Split the loco frame to isolate the motor brushes, remove the contact springs in the ...