KB256 DH165A0 - Installation Instructions

1. Carefully remove the locomotive's shell from the frame. Notice the orientation of the circuit board inside so that you can install the decoder in the same orientation. (Figure 1) 2. Remove the 10 black plastic plugs from the lightboard that secure the wires to the PCB. There are 4 plugs (retainers) on each end and 2 on the side for the motor connection. Remove the red and black wires, carefully noting where each wire originally connected to the PCB. Remove the lightboard itself by pinching the black plastic release tabs and pulling the board up and off of the ...

KB257 DH165L0 - Current Regulator Bypass

The DH165L0 decoder F0F and F0R headlight functions are factory configured with an onboard current regulator for the factory-installed low voltage bulbs (or LEDs) when using a maximum DCC track voltage of up to 16Volts. To bypass the current regulator and use 12V to 16V lamps with the DH165L0 on F0F and F0R, bridge each of the two pair of solder pads as shown on the back side of the decoder in the figure below. The circuit board is marked with F and R adjacent to the soldering points. Bridge between the two F points for a higher voltage bulb ...

KB258 DH165L0 - Soundbug Installation

Installation of the SFX004/SFX006 SoundBugs into a DH165-Series decoder is easy, but it does require some care. The SoundBug must be properly oriented to the decoder. Here, the DH165L0: Here, an installation in a Proto1000 DL-109. In this orientation, the SoundBug sockets are to the right on the DH165L0 decoder: The SoundBug is plugged into the sockets of the DH165L0 decoder: Because the DL-109 is a diesel locomotive, it will not need the white synchronization wire. Everything is fitted into place. The SoundBug is shipped with a small piece of foam to protect the pins of this decoder. You may ...

KB259 DH165L0 - Installation Instructions

DH165L0 fits Life-Like GP7, SD60 and many other locos with Life-Like DCC medium plug arrangement. 1. Remove locomotive shell, noting the orientation of the circuit board inside. (See Figure 1) 2. Unplug the the manufacturer’s DCC socket from the pins on the factory board. Remove the two screws that hold the board in place. (See Figure 2) Lift out the factory board and save the two screws for future use. 3. Insert the locomotive’s DCC socket onto the pins on the Digitrax DH165L0 decoder board. In this orientation, Pin 1 (the orange wire) is the lower left pin and Pin ...

KB5 DN163A1 - Function Outputs

The DN163A1 is set up at the factory to control six functions. The unit is prewired with two golden-white LEDs set up for directional lighting as F0F/F0F+ for the front light and F0R/F0R+ for the rear light. Functions F1 (Green), F2 (Violet), F3 (Brown) and F4 (White/Yellow) can be used by soldering a wire from the pad for the function you wish to use to the lamp (or other function) you wish to control. The wire colors indicated are the standard color code used in the industry (you can use any color you like). These colors are important if you ...

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 ...

KB398 Installation Instructions - Kato Nscale SD90/43MAC Locomotive

1. Carefully remove the locomotive’s shell from the frame. Notice the orientation of the light board, so that you can install the new decoder in the same orientation. 2. Carefully remove the factory light board by sliding it toward the back of the locomotive and out from under the frame clips. Then gently lift the board out of the frame. Be careful not to bend the motor contacts. Apply a small piece of Kapton tape to saddle area of the frame above motor. 3. Install the DN163K2 decoder by angeling it slightly as you insert the front corners into the forward ...

KB399 Installation of DN163K2 in Kato RS2 Locomotives

The DN163K2 will fit into the Kato RS2 and RSC2 locomotives with the same frame design. The decoder is also installed using these same steps in the SD90/43MAC. Kapton tape should be applied in the saddle area of the frame above the motor to prevent shorting. Install the DN163K2 decoder into the frame by tilting it slightly as you insert the front corners into the forward frame clips. Press the decoder motor clips down over the motor contacts and slide the decoder board forward and press the board down into the frame. Be careful not to bend the motor contacts ...

KB17 DN143K2 - Installation Instructions for Kato N RDC's

Photo Courtesy Kato, USA Installation Instructions: The DN143K2 cannot be tested prior to installation in the rail diesel car. 1. Carefully remove the shell from the RDC. Carefully remove the plastic casting from the bottom side of the RDC frame, using a flat bladed screwdriver to pry it loose. 2. Gently remove the white clip that holds the seat panel in place. Remove the seat panel by pushing up gently from the bottom of the frame. The seat panel has clips underneath that are very easy to break, so be careful. 3. Take extra care to notice how the RDC ...

KB42 DN163A3 - Atlas N Scale MP15 Installation Instructions

1. Carefully remove the locomotive's shell from the frame (Figure 1, below). Notice the orientation of the shell to the frame so that you can reinstall correctly. 2. To remove the Atlas MP-15DC standard lightboard you will need to loosen the frame screws as shown in figure #1. After the frame halves are loose enough, the standard light board can easily be removed by moving the light board to one side and tilting the lightboard out. 3. Installation of the DN163A3 decoder is the reverse of the removal sequence. With the frames halves still loosened, slide the DCC decoder into ...

KB302 DN163M0 - Function Outputs

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 ...

KB303 Installing DN163M0 in Micro-Trains' FT

1. Carefully remove the locomotive's shell from the frame. Notice the orientation of the shell for reinstallation. 2. Carefully remove the plastic light shroud by gently prying up the tabs on either side of the frame and lifting the plastic piece off the frame. 3. Slide the factory light board forward to release it from under the clips on the locomotive frame. Be careful not to distort the frame clips as you slide and lift the light board off the frame. 4. Place the small piece of kapton tape provided with the decoder on the loco frame, wrapping it around ...

KB304 Kato RDC's and DN143K2

Photo Courtesy Kato, USA The DN143K2 replaced the earlier DN122K2 as a custom decoder designed for the Kato RDC in N-Scale. This is not a particularly easy installation and there have been some reports of problems with the headlights. Paul Lator has some experience with this installation, and this may be of help to you: "The wiring with the DN143K2 works well if you do not route the wires over the top of the seating in the RDC, rather completely disassemble the unit, mount the decoder in it's designated location then run the wires through the drive shaft tunnels. Place ...

KB177 Function Outputs for DN163A0

The DN163A0 is set up at the factory to control six functions. The unit is prewired with two golden-white LEDs set up for directional lighting as F0F/F0F+ for the front light and F0R/F0R+ for the rear light. Functions F1 (Green), F2 (Violet), F3 (Brown) and F4 (White/Yellow) can be used by soldering a wire from the pad for the function you wish to use to the lamp (or other function) you wish to control. The wire colors indicated are the standard color code used in the industry (you can use any color you like). These colors are important if you ...

KB178 Installing DN163A0

DN163A0 is a board replacement decoder for Atlas N-Scale GP40-2, GP38 U25B, SD35, Trainmaster, B23-7 and several others. Shown here is an installation in a GP40-2. 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, square CPU to the top, between the frame ...

KB312 DH165A0 - Light Bulb Problem with Athearn

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 ...

KB75 DN163K0b - Installation Instructions for Kato F-3, F-7

DN163K0b Installation Instructions for Kato F-3, F-71. Carefully remove the locomotive’s shell from the frame. 2. Remove the black plastic cab seat panel by gently pressing in at the sides. 3. Carefully remove the plastic plug that retains the brass motor clips and bend the brass motor clips up and away from the circuit board. 4. Slide the circuit board forward to release it from the clip on the locomotive frame and lift the board off the frame. 5. Remove the brass pickup rail from one side of the locomotive, being careful not to bend it. Wrap a small piece ...

KB591 MicroTrains Z-Scale GP35 Installation Instructions

1. Carefully remove the locomotive’s shell from the frame. Notice the orientation of the shell for reinstallation. 2. Carefully remove the motor springs with tweezers. Store these springs in a safe place for later re-use. 3. Slide the factory light board forward to release it from under the clips on the locomotive frame. Be careful not to distort the frame clips as you slide and lift the light board off the frame. 4. Take the DZ123M0 decoder (noting the correct orientation of the frame pads) and slide underneath frame clips as indicated in the Figure 3. You will need to ...

KB97 Athearn N-Scale FP45 / F45

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 ...

KB123 Function Outputs on the DN163K1D

The DN163K1D is set up at the factory to control six functions. The unit is prewired with two white LED's set up for directional lighting as F0F/F0F+ for the front light and F0R/F0R+ for the rear light. Functions F1 (Green), F2 (Violet), F3 (Brown) and F4 (White/Yellow) can be used by soldering a wire from the pad for the function you wish to use to the lamp (or other function) you wish to control. The wire colors indicated are the standard color code used in the industry (you can use any color you like). These colors are important if you ...

KB356 DH165A0 - Headlight brightness

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 ...

KB401 Life-Like N-Scale GP18 Modifications needed for the DN163K2 decoder

The Life-Like GP18 locomotive can be modified to accept the DN163K2 board replacement decoder. The locomotive samples used by Digitrax for this instatllation needed to have the frame engagement clearance slots under the cab on the fireman-side widened about 1mm towards the rear of the locomotive (long hood end). This can be done with a small file or Dremel type tool, to allow the decoder to properly engage the casting with the power tab on this side. The engineer-side slots are OK to fit the decoder power pickup tab on this side. Be sure to check the motor tabs are safely ...

KB364 DH165A0 - Function Outputs

The DH165A0 is set up at the factory to control six function outputs. The DH165A0 is configured to control the forward-headlight F0F/white lead and reverse-headlight F0R/yellow lead for directional lighting. These two headlight function leads are current regulated for LEDs or lamps, with factory setting of approx 15mA, with no resistors required. Cut the ADJ link to increase headlight current to approx 30mA (see figure below). Functions F1 (Green), F2 (Violet), F3 (Brown) and F4 (White/Yellow) are full track voltage and can be used by soldering a wire from the pad for the function you wish to use to the ...

KB365 Proto 1000 - The Stuff They Don't Tell 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?" ...

KB504 Kato NW2 Installation Instructions

Move to decoder installation section? on main site or set up decoder installation notes in TSD?DN123K3 Kato NW2 Installation Instructions 1. Carefully remove the locomotive’s shell from the frame (Figure 1). Notice the orientation of the shell to the frame so that you can reinstall correctly. 2. To remove the Kato NW2 standard lightboard you will need to remove the motor clips first. The NW2 Motor clips can be most easily removed by rotating the motor gently so that the circular motor brush caps release the motor clip. Next pull the motor clip directly off each side of the lightboard. ...

KB250 DH165K1A - Installation Instructions

DH165K1A Board Replacement Decoder Fits Kato SD40-2, AC4400 1. Carefully remove the locomotive’s shell from the frame. Note the orientation for proper reinstallation (Figure 1). 2. Remove the four track power pickup wires clipped to the lightboard at mid point (Figure 1). 3. Unscrew the two screws securing the lightboard and lift it from the frame. (Figure 2) 4. Remove the lightboard by pulling it gently straight up, off the motor clips. (Figure 3) 5. Decoder installation is the reverse of what we’ve done so far. Snap the decoder into place over the motor clips. Be sure motor clips are ...

KB251 DH165Q1 - Installation Instructions

The DH165Q1 fits many Atlas, Intermountain, Life-Like & Other factory sound equipped HO locomotives. Installation Instructions - Intermountain F7 example: Removing Locomotive Shell and Disconnecting Lightboard 1. Carefully remove the front coupler and then the locomotive's shell from the frame. Note the orientation for proper reinstallation. 2. Unplug and mark the two track power pickup 2-pin plugs, the motor 2-pin plug and the 6-pin headlight plug(Figure 1) Observe and carefully note the original wire locations! One of the track power plugs and the 2 pin motor plug can be inadvertently swapped when hooking up the new decoder PCB. 3. Unscrew ...

KB124 Kato DD51 Installation of DN163K1D

Kato N-Scale DD51 steps needed for the DN163K1D decoder Carefully remove the DD51 locomotive shells (3) and gray plastic light board retainer from the frame. Carefully remove the factory light board by sliding it toward the back of the locomotive and out from under the forward frame notches. Then gently lift the board out of the frame. Be careful not to bend or damage the motor tabs. Place one or more layers of Kapton tape on the frame underneath the forward frame clip. Carefully remove the motor tabs from the factory light board. The motor tabs attach to the board ...

KB125 Kato GG-1 Decoder Installation of DN163K1D

Kato N-Scale GG1 steps needed for the DN163K1D decoder Carefully remove the locomotive’s shell and light board retainer from the frame. Notice the orientation of the light board inside so that you can install the new decoder in the same orientation. Carefully remove the factory light board by sliding it toward the back of the locomotive and out from under the forward frame notches. Then gently lift the board out of the frame. Be careful not to bend or damage the motor tabs. Carefully remove the motor tabs from the factory lightboard. The motor tabs attach to the board with ...

KB255 DH165K0 - Installation Instructions

Preparation 1. Carefully remove the locomotive's shell from the frame. Note the orientation for proper reinstallation. (Figure 1) 2. Remove the four track power pickup wires clipped to the lightboard (2 on each side) (Figure 2) Carefully pull the brass motor clips from under the track power "staples" on the lightboard. 3. Unscrew the lightboard screws to release PCB from the frame. Decoder Board Installation 4. Physically secure the DH165K0 decoder PCB with the lightboard screws. 5. Attach the four track power pickup wires by shortening and stripping each wire (2 on each end) and soldering these wires to each ...