Post by railbuilderdhd on Mar 3, 2010 22:36:22 GMT -5
Hi guys and gals,
I have a problem (nothing new ) with some new locos and decoders I got for them. I think the biggest problem I have is my lack of knowledge anyway, here's the deal. I have 2 new locos and both are Dc and I want to convert them to DCC so I did some research on the decoder manufacture web sites to find the correct decoder. I got the decoders in the mail last night and now I'm not sure I got what I need. I would like to hear from anyone to find out if what I got is right and I'm just not seeing it.
First configuration:
Athearn Genesis SD70MAC PhIV, BN Executive/BNSF Patch #9579
www.athearn.com/Products/Defa...rodID=ATHG6435
Digitrax decoder DH165AO
www.digitrax.com/prd_mobdec_dh165a0.php
My Plan:
I got this decoder because I wasn't too worried about sound on this loco at this point. This decoded has the plug for the Digitrax Sound Bug so I figured when I was ready for sound all I needed to do was add the Sound Bug and a speaker and I would be good to go.
The Problem:
The decoder I got is the correct size or looks good but there are more wire currently connected to the board that's installed in the loco than there are connectors on the decoder. I also am not sure but it looks like I need to add a resister for the headlight. How do I know if I need to add the resister and do I need to add it for all the lights?
As if that's not enough I also got a new Atlas Silver GE Dash 8-40CW that I need to upgrade to DCC as well. This one seems like it may be just a problem with decoder size but there is an issue with all the wires are black and red.
Second configuration:
Atlas GE Dash 8-40CW www.atlasrr.com/holoco/hodash840cw.htm (the 7604 undecorated conrail model)
SoundTraxx Decoder Tsunami 828046 (TSU-AT1000) for GE FDL-16 Diesel Engines www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/tsunami/1000at.php Part Number (at bottom of page) 828046
The Plan:
I wanted to have this loco as a lead when I do consisting. I will be adding the speaker as well but I needed to get the loco to know what size would fit so I still need to order that.
The problem:
To start with, as mentioned before, all the wires are red and black so who knows what is what. I'm sure I can figure out what they are based on what they are connected to on the other ends. The bigger issue I have is the decoder will fit but not snap on the tabs with the holes provided in the board. I didn't even get to the point of figuring out if there is a problem like the one above where there are more wires then plugs on the board. That's because this all happened last night about 1 AM after a 12 hour work day.
Well, that's the new chapter in my hobby and if you read this far I want to thank you for that alone and if you have any ideas what I did wrong or how to fix the problem please let me know.
Thanks,
Dave
I have a problem (nothing new ) with some new locos and decoders I got for them. I think the biggest problem I have is my lack of knowledge anyway, here's the deal. I have 2 new locos and both are Dc and I want to convert them to DCC so I did some research on the decoder manufacture web sites to find the correct decoder. I got the decoders in the mail last night and now I'm not sure I got what I need. I would like to hear from anyone to find out if what I got is right and I'm just not seeing it.
First configuration:
Athearn Genesis SD70MAC PhIV, BN Executive/BNSF Patch #9579
www.athearn.com/Products/Defa...rodID=ATHG6435
Digitrax decoder DH165AO
www.digitrax.com/prd_mobdec_dh165a0.php
My Plan:
I got this decoder because I wasn't too worried about sound on this loco at this point. This decoded has the plug for the Digitrax Sound Bug so I figured when I was ready for sound all I needed to do was add the Sound Bug and a speaker and I would be good to go.
The Problem:
The decoder I got is the correct size or looks good but there are more wire currently connected to the board that's installed in the loco than there are connectors on the decoder. I also am not sure but it looks like I need to add a resister for the headlight. How do I know if I need to add the resister and do I need to add it for all the lights?
As if that's not enough I also got a new Atlas Silver GE Dash 8-40CW that I need to upgrade to DCC as well. This one seems like it may be just a problem with decoder size but there is an issue with all the wires are black and red.
Second configuration:
Atlas GE Dash 8-40CW www.atlasrr.com/holoco/hodash840cw.htm (the 7604 undecorated conrail model)
SoundTraxx Decoder Tsunami 828046 (TSU-AT1000) for GE FDL-16 Diesel Engines www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/tsunami/1000at.php Part Number (at bottom of page) 828046
The Plan:
I wanted to have this loco as a lead when I do consisting. I will be adding the speaker as well but I needed to get the loco to know what size would fit so I still need to order that.
The problem:
To start with, as mentioned before, all the wires are red and black so who knows what is what. I'm sure I can figure out what they are based on what they are connected to on the other ends. The bigger issue I have is the decoder will fit but not snap on the tabs with the holes provided in the board. I didn't even get to the point of figuring out if there is a problem like the one above where there are more wires then plugs on the board. That's because this all happened last night about 1 AM after a 12 hour work day.
Well, that's the new chapter in my hobby and if you read this far I want to thank you for that alone and if you have any ideas what I did wrong or how to fix the problem please let me know.
Thanks,
Dave
