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Digitrax Decoder in Athearn AMD P40

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: US
  • 971 posts
Digitrax Decoder in Athearn AMD P40
Posted by alloboard on Thursday, July 10, 2008 11:27 AM

I installed a Digitrax DH165AO decoder in my Athearn Genesis AMD P40 Diesel locomotive. There is no response (0) response when I use my Zephyr to run the locomotive using the address 03. I installed a number of DH165AO decoders in other locomotives and they worked. I now do aknowledge that nothing is wrong with the decoder, because I tested it in a programming track of the Digitrax DCS50 (Zephyr) and it read the decoder address. Someone please help.

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Austin, Texas
  • 875 posts
Posted by jasperofzeal on Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:05 PM
I'm no electrical engineer but the problem might be that there are no electrical components on the circuit board.  Is that a dummy board you installed there? Whistling [:-^]

TONY

"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Hot'lanta, Gawga
  • 1,279 posts
Posted by Rotorranch on Thursday, July 10, 2008 6:01 PM

Looks like the ones for sale in Factory Direct Trains web site.

I think it still needs a decoder plugged into it. It looks like just a board with no electronics? Banged Head [banghead]

Rotor

 Jake: How often does the train go by? Elwood: So often you won't even notice ...

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Winnipeg
  • 234 posts
Posted by Magnum019 on Sunday, July 13, 2008 7:43 PM
Did you try resetting of CV08 to 8.........just in case.........
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Austin, Texas
  • 875 posts
Posted by jasperofzeal on Monday, July 14, 2008 6:53 AM

Time expired....

TONY

"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, July 14, 2008 7:09 AM

Have you repeated your test on the programming track?  You may have a loose connection somewhere.

I guess I have to ask this: when you read back the decoder address, was it 3?  Did you try the write/read test - write a new address to the decoder and read it back?  If you did that, then the engine will no longer respond to 3, but only to its new address that you set it to.

Try going through the procedure to reset the decoder back to "factory defaults."  That will put the address back to 3.  Read back to verify that you can still read the address, and then immediately try running it as address 3.

You might also try hooking up a headlight.  If you can turn the light on and off, that will verify that the decoder is connected correctly, and you have the address set right.  Then you will have separated out the electronics from what may be a motor problem.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Austin, Texas
  • 875 posts
Posted by jasperofzeal on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 8:49 AM

oops

TONY

"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Austin, Texas
  • 875 posts
Posted by jasperofzeal on Thursday, July 17, 2008 6:39 AM
Thumbs Up [tup]

TONY

"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)

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