Hello everybody. I have a problem with my digitrax decoder for my Athearn HO Dash 9-44CW. I sucessfully installed the decoder, but when I felt body of the engine it felt like the motor, and decoder were burning. This is the first time I have put a decoder in by hand so I don't know what caused it to do so. If you guys have ever hade the same experience as I did but have fixed your problem I would like to know how you made your engine work without overheating. Thank you, and happy model railroading.
Sincerely
Ryan LaPlaca
Ryan, I moved your thread because we are trying to ensure that the forum stays partitioned according to topic, and this newest forum on Electronics and DCC is the place for this one.
-Crandell
davidmbedard wrote:No such thing as an DTH123D. You must be talking about the DH123D...it makes a difference.Saying this, this tells me that you have an RTR Athearn...a plug and play. That being said, you probably have a bum decoders (we have dropped the Digitrax DH series of decoders where I work). David B
No such thing as an DTH123D. You must be talking about the DH123D...it makes a difference.
Saying this, this tells me that you have an RTR Athearn...a plug and play. That being said, you probably have a bum decoders (we have dropped the Digitrax DH series of decoders where I work).
David B
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RyanLaP wrote: Hello everybody. I have a problem with my digitrax decoder for my Athearn HO Dash 9-44CW. I sucessfully installed the decoder, but when I felt body of the engine it felt like the motor, and decoder were burning. This is the first time I have put a decoder in by hand so I don't know what caused it to do so. If you guys have ever hade the same experience as I did but have fixed your problem I would like to know how you made your engine work without overheating. Thank you, and happy model railroading. Sincerely Ryan LaPlaca
Ryan,
You didn't give us a key piece of information, is it working or is it just getting hot and not working ? If it is just getting hot and not working then the cause is likely excessive current draw. This is likely caused by a short of some type. You did mention that this is an older Blue Box Athearn so one key is to isolate the motor from the locomotive frame. If not, that will cause what you are seeing. If you can provide more information about what is and isn't working (i.e. motor, lights, only one direction etc..), I'll try to help you and not just bash Digitrax. I've used a number of DH123Ds and the only problem I ever had was self inflicted, where I shorted one out and smoked it.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
davidmbedard wrote: No such thing as an DTH123D. You must be talking about the DH123D...it makes a difference.Saying this, this tells me that you have an RTR Athearn...a plug and play. That being said, you probably have a bum decoders (we have dropped the Digitrax DH series of decoders where I work). David B
The " D " at the end tells me it is harness type ( 6" ) and requires soldering.. if it was a " P " at the end it would be PaP with a 3" harness. the "PS" is same PaP with 1" harness..
One thing you did not state, do you have a problem with the operation of the loco ?
Does the engine stop dead and feel hot to the touch at that time ? If it does no stop dead but is warm to the touch, you do not have a problem.
Another point is this decoder has 2 function outputs that require 22ohm 1/4W resistor if the lamps draw more than 80Ma. Confusing part is the Digitrax web site says 2x/125MA function but the book says 500ma total function.
RTR simply means out of the box and ready to run. Did you have to solder the DH123D or not. At any rate if it runs ok you might look at the function outputs for your answer (lights).
RyanLaP wrote:It works while it runs, and it is a RTR locmotive. My mistake it is a DH123D decoder.
RyanLaP wrote:It works while it runs, and it is a RTR locmotive.
Ok, so this is actually an Athearn in the yellow box and you just plugged the DH123D into the socket ? Do you have the Athearn model number or what is the road number and road name on the locomotive ? Or did you have to wire anything ? Do the lights work OK ? When it gets hot is that right away, under a heavy load, or under what conditions ? Sorry for so many questions. Just trying to help narrow down the issue.