KB374 Intermountain FT Decoder Selection

I bought 2 DN163I1A and 2 DN163I1B decoders which have brass . My 4 Inter Mountain FT units do not have brass motor contacts (as I found too late on your DN163I1C documentation for F3 units) but rather 2 wires soldered to the original board. Also, the DN163I1A or B can't be fitted in the space provided on the engine not only because the brass contacts on the decoder get in the way but because on the size of the decoder board is a little too big. Will all above render the decoders useless or what should I do? Because ...

KB9 Atlas SD-60 - Installation Instructions

The DN163A1 is a board replacement decoder for Atlas N-Scale SD60, SD60M, SD50 and others. 1. Carefully remove the locomotive’s shell from the frame. Notice the orientation of the light board inside so that you can install the decoder in the same orientation. 2. Carefully remove the plastic light shroud at the front of the loco and loosen the frame screws enough to allow the removal of the light board. Lift the board out of the frame. 3. Install the decoder, between the frame halves as shown. The narrow part of the decoder fits between the frame with the frame ...

KB466 What is Stall Current

Stall Current is the max current draw in amps for a motor when it is stalled. This is important in determining which decoder to install in a locomotive. Why is Stall Current important? In the conversion of analog locomotives to DCC, how much current the locomotive draws is a major factor in decoder selection. Decoders are grouped by their ability to handle the electrical load that flows through them to the locomotive motor. The Ampere (Amp) is the unit of measure for electrical current used by the locomotive. The current draw of most HO can motors is between .5 and 1.5 ...

KB366 Some Thoughts on Decoder Installations

There was a time when every mobile decoder installation was a custom installation. In those early days, we were just feeling our way along, trying to find ways to make the existing supply of decoders fit into locomotives which had been designed in a different era. Fortunately, things have changed along the way, and in many cases, the Digitrax Decoder Selection Guide will list your locomotive. But many locomotives are not listed because they are too new or are too generic for a special listing. So, from time to time, you will have to "wing it" just a bit to ...

KB336 Which Decoder should I use?

I have many many loco's. How do I determine which mobile decoder to select for each one? First, modelers with many locomotives often become bewildered at the prospect of converting all of their locomotives to DCC. Take it one step at a time. Consider that you are not operating all of those locomotives at the same time; start by gradually converting your locomotives, beginning with your favorites. Digitrax maintains a list of suggested decoders for specific locomotives on our website.  The Digitrax Decoder Selector can be found here: http://www.digitrax.com/products/engine-matrix/decoderJust because your particular locomotive is not listed does not mean that ...

KB184 Mobile Decoder Naming Convention and Decoder Numbers

Current production Digitrax decoders use the following numbering system: The first character means that it is a digital decoder. This is always a “D”. The second character indicates the decoder’s physical size. This is based on the smallest "scale" the decoder is designed to fit. This will be a Z, N, H, or G. The third character is the current rating of the decoder. This will be a 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. We designate 1.25 & 1.5 amp decoders as 1s and 3.5 amp decoders as 3s for simplicity. The fourth character indicates how many functions, including directional ...

KB114 DZ143PS and Seuthe Smoke Units

Your DZ143ps decoder has been suggested for my Broadway Limited Blueline PRR J1a. I want to install a Seuthe smoke generator (#100 10-16v,120ma), which was recommended. I don't want to connect it directly to the track power because it will run all the time. Is there a way to connect it to DZ143PS so I can turn it on and off? Yes. The DZ143 series have a total of four function outputs, two are for the front and rear headlights and two are for additional functions. F1 controls the green wire output of the decoder, F2 controls the purple wire ...

KB469 Locomotive not included in Decoder Selector

Q:  I have an HO Bachmann Alaska EMD GP40 (Bachmann item #63548) that I have kept in the box for about a year. I recently received a Digitrax Zephyr and I want to put a decoder in the locomotive. I used your reference guide and did not see it listed. Does that mean it's not available? A:  There are many reasons why a particular locomotive is not listed in our database.  The most common is that we have never been asked about that particular model.  There are so many new models it is a difficult task to keep up with ...

KB278 Marklin Z-Scale

I have an extensive collection of older (15-20 years) Z-Scale Maerklin equipment. Can I convert the locos to Digitrax, or must I buy some other brand of loco to use Digitrax? Maybe yes, maybe no. It depends upon the size of the locomotive. We are aware of several European Z-Scale model railroads that use Digitrax. We also know of a very large Z-Scale railroad in Washington, DC that uses Digitrax. This particular railroad is a model of Swiss prototype, so the locomotives are all electric-types; there seems to be enough room inside for a decoder, especially the new DZ125 series ...

KB120 Decoder Installation in the H0-scale Con-Cor Pioneer Zephyr

Application Note: Con-Cor HO-Scale Zephyr steps needed for the DZ125PS decoder installation Step 1: Carefully remove the body from the frame. There are four clips along each side of the body. (See red arrows) We have found if you start at the rear of the body with a small flathead screwdriver and carefully pry the body outward to remove the back clip, you can move the screwdriver forward to release the others. Once the body is completely removed, carefully lift the light board from its holders on the bulkheads. (See blue arrows) Be very careful as the pins that hold ...

KB248 Proto 1000 F-Units

My son & I have PROTO 1000 Diesel EMD F3A-B Sets. The powered locos are equipped with an eight-pin plug for easy decoder installation. Our problem is that we've been looking through books & have no idea what sound card & speakers we are going to need that corresponds with these type of locomotives. I was told that they would need sound cards that are from the "Early Diesel" era. If this is true, please tell me what sound cards,speakers & wires do we need to make this happen? We are fond of F-units, and the Proto 1000 F-units are ...