Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Atlas SD35 and Digitrax DN163A0 Question?

1599 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: Milton WV
  • 253 posts
Atlas SD35 and Digitrax DN163A0 Question?
Posted by Trainzman2435 on Thursday, December 19, 2019 10:00 AM

Hello, i am in need of some help with the above mentioned DCC decoder install if possible. I have included the pictures of both the locomotive without shell as well as the new Digitrax decoder laying next to the factory decoder board. Can someone please tell or advise me as to how i am to attach the contacts from the locomotive to the DCC decoder? Is it me or do the new decoder pads not matchup correctly? What am i missing? Thanks everyone!

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Thursday, December 19, 2019 10:44 AM

Check out the instructions, they use a GP40 as an example.

This page, from the Digitrax help desk, gets a little more into detail about how the clips line up, and some installations tips to make it all work

http://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB178/installing-dn163a0/

Mike.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, December 19, 2019 12:29 PM

 You have the newer SD35, that takes a different decoder. The DN166I3 us the correct decoder for that model, if you want to use a Digitrax decoder. Notice in their decoder selector there are two SD35s listed, the second one mentions it is the newer 2018 run and says you need the DN166I3. The instruction sheet for the DN166I3 shows the loco looking exactly like yours.

 Yes, the decoder information page says its for the Intermountain SD40-2, but if ever there was evidence the same designers and shops are being used to make these mechanisms in CHina, this is it, the top of the IM SD40-2 when you take out the factory board looks exactly like your Atlas SD35, witht he 4 contacts in the center. 

                              --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Thursday, December 19, 2019 12:48 PM

rrinker
Notice in their decoder selector there are two SD35s listed

Ah yea, Surprise  I didn't catch that!

Mike.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!