I have an Athearn AMD-103 P42 that I would like to install a LokSound Select Direct Sound decoder into. Any and all assistance would be Greatly appreciated.
Amtrak Bob
Wow sound has directions to plug into the circuit board, which is not what the Loksound does, but it at leasts shows you how to access the circuit board. Many people prefer to replace the circuit board anywhay, instead of using the plug option.
https://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Athearn/AMD-103/AMD-103.html
I have no idea which Athearn's use LED's and which use bulbs; but most people like to install LED's The Loksound manual has specific directions on what to do about bulbs leds and resistors in chapter 4.2.4.3.2 If you haven't downloaded the manual from the ESU site, you need to. DCC is not intuitive.
LED's have a polarity with respect to current flow. Wired backward and they won't light. If you are soldering, you might want to test with a battery first to make sure you have light. Same with the leads to the motor, except it will run backwards. Best to wire it correctly than to monkey with CV's
If the motor leads are those two connections at the side of the board, it is about where the motor leads attach on the loksound. Those little black clips just pull off and the wire is held by friction.
The only thing that gives me pause is the copper rivet looking things holding the board. It's not clear how they come off. You don't want to drill them out and have shavings flying everywhere. Perhaps they just pop off, it doesn't really look like a good place to put a rivet.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
The whole thing comes off - that board is just part of the top clip of the motor. So to replace the board, you either need to drill out the rivets, and then solder a wire to the top clip for the other motor lead, or remove clip and all and replace with a plain Athearn motor clip (be careful removing the clip, as not only does it hold the motor together, it also holds the brush and brush spring.)
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
If you've never soldered before, you should ask more questions.