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!

Decoder Help, Athearn SD50/Digitrax DH-121

2898 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Dearborn, MI
  • 50 posts
Decoder Help, Athearn SD50/Digitrax DH-121
Posted by conrail079 on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:30 PM

Help, I just tried to install a DH-121 in my Athearn SD50, it says to unplug the mini board from the nine pin connector and plug in the DH-121. There was no way to get it upside down. Now I get the dreaded 5 beeps of death (A short). Any clues??? Does Athearn have a problem with this engine or board?

Thank You

Don Carman

Modeling Conrail 1991/Digitrax/CMRI

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Kansas
  • 808 posts
Posted by jamnest on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 8:59 AM

I recently purchased two Athearn SD50.  I put Digitrax DH-123 decoders in them.  They run great.  As stated above you need to remove the plug from the locomotive circuit board.  Then plug your decoder in.

JIM

Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Dearborn, MI
  • 50 posts
Posted by conrail079 on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 10:13 AM

Me Again....the Athearn SD50 has a wire harness with a nine pin connector, then that little circuit board on it....It also has holes in the Main circuit board for a 8 pin connector. But the 8 pin would need to be soldered in as these are just holes (8) not a 8 pin connector on the board. I removed the circuit board from the 9 pin and plugged the 9 pin into the DH-121.

Sorry for the confusion... Any other Ideas on what I did wrong?

Thank you

Don

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • 565 posts
Posted by Bapou on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 10:43 AM
Does the decoder have 8 or 9 pins???
Go NJT, NJ Transit, New Jersey Transit. Whatever you call it its good. See my pictures and videos here: http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff20/Bapouthetrainman/
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Dearborn, MI
  • 50 posts
Posted by conrail079 on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 6:20 PM

More stuff...Plugged the Athearn Board back in, The engine runs  normal on Address 00. Next I plug in a DH163, it has a nine pin connector also. No short this time, but the engine does not move, the lights work normally forward and reverse. Shouldn't be 2 bad Decoders... maybe Athearn goofed up. Anyone here of this?

Thanks Anyway

Don 

 

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!