Question on Adding Digitrax decoder to Athearn BB F7

[johngraser]

I have a digtrax Chief on order and installing my first decoder in an Athearn BB F7 using a DH163AT.

I have all the connectors, connected but have a concern regaring the white wire (before I plug in the decoder) going to the head light and the black wire to the frame (on the other side of the light) Is this correct or do I need to not have the light mounted on the old light bracket mouting and use the blue common for the other side of the light. and black to frame. Or is this only required for transponding?

http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/dh163at.pdf

John

[cacole]

The White and Blue wires go to the headlight, and it must be electrically isolated from the metal bracket. The metal brack that stick up from the front truck is connected to the left-hand rail and is the ground (black) wire's connection.

I hope your decoder instructions told you that you must also remove the motor and insulate the bottom of it from the frame, or your decoder will become an instant smoke generator.

[johngraser]

cacole,

Thanks for your help.

If I understand correctly, the light bracket for the head light on the F7 BB can't be use to hold the light with the Digitrax wire harness?

It looks like I'll need to put in LEDs with resistors for the two head lights.

I had some other instructions as well for the F7 on isolating the motor that helped with the installation.

By the way which function outputs should I use for each head light (F0 for top, which for bottom, two head lights) and what effects are prototipical for a SP F7 Unit?

Where would the rear light go if I decide to install one?

John

[rrinker]

That is correct. You should just remove the mount that the light is on, leaving only the short piece that's riveted to the frame. For the upper and lower lights, use the white wire for one, but do NOT use the yellow for the other - otherwise you will have to do a bit of additional programmign to get around the direction-dependent defaults. Use one of the two outermost wires on the 9-pin plug, those are F1 and F2.
From what I saw in another thread, the 'regular' headlight would be the lower one, the upper housing for any fancy signal light like a Mars light. But better check with an SP modeller, I don't know much about those Christmas Tree locos. [:D]

--Randy

[johngraser]

Thanks you

cacole/rRandy for your help. Should be getting my Digitrax Chief Tuesday, Should have the install done today all ready for it.

John