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Athearn BB Locomotive Decoders

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  • Member since
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  • From: Austin, Texas
  • 875 posts
Posted by jasperofzeal on Sunday, December 28, 2008 1:52 AM

Ibeamlicker

Great video's on how-to,on you tube just do a search.

There was a good how-to video on there from someone called mtrails.  The video is no longer on youtube, seems that the owner took it away.  It's a shame too since the video was a pretty good how-to.

Here is the dead link in case anyone wants to verify its death:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZku8qp0BBs

TONY

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

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  • From: springfield . Ma
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Posted by Ibeamlicker on Sunday, December 28, 2008 12:19 AM

Great video's on how-to,on you tube just do a search.

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  • From: Ridgeville,South Carolina
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Posted by willy6 on Saturday, December 27, 2008 10:50 PM

Thank you all for the information. I have 6 of these locomotives and bought a decoder (DH123AT) and will try it out to see if it's worth doing the rest. I read numerous discussions on this forum concerning kits versus RTR. BB kits like any other require some detailing (MU hoses,grab irons, painting number boards,etc...) something I might save for my retirement days. Thank you again.

Being old is when you didn't loose it, it's that you just can't remember where you put it.
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  • From: Seattle Area
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Posted by Capt. Grimek on Saturday, December 27, 2008 10:43 PM
Thanks Jay. That's what I figured. The B.B. thang gets confusing with Athearns... Cheers.

Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.

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Posted by modelmaker51 on Saturday, December 27, 2008 10:34 PM

Blue Box, yes.

Jay 

C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1 

Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums 

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  • From: Seattle Area
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Posted by Capt. Grimek on Saturday, December 27, 2008 7:49 PM
Athearn BB: To clarify, are we discussing Athearn Big Boy locomotives or Blue Box Diesels? I have a Big Boy (and a Challenger) with MRC decoders and will replace them someday so wanted to know if what you're all discussing applies or not. I'm assuming Blue Box Locos? Thanks.

Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.

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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Saturday, December 27, 2008 11:08 AM

rrinker
 Last time I suggested switching the top and bottom clips someone said I was nuts. Easiest way to get a flat bottom clip though.

Nothing wrong with switching the clips but it's far easier to simply bend the tabs down or break them off altogether.

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Posted by rrinker on Saturday, December 27, 2008 9:47 AM

 I was still on the previous post about using a DH123AT or DH163AT. Nothing to bend there, you get new clips.

 Last time I suggested switching the top and bottom clips someone said I was nuts. Easiest way to get a flat bottom clip though.

 

                                 --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

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

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  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
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Posted by cacole on Saturday, December 27, 2008 9:10 AM

rrinker

 You need to put a piece of tape in the bottom of the motor cavity so the bottom tab can't touch the frame. If it does, you will damage the decoder. Electrical tape will work but the clear yellow Kapton tape is stronger and thinner.

                                        --Randy

 

 

If you don't bend those tabs down they will eventually poke a hole through the tape and short out the decoder.  I flip the top and bottom strips around while I have the motor removed from the chassis to solder the decoder wires to it so the tabs are on the top of the motor and can't cause a problem.

 

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Posted by modelmaker51 on Saturday, December 27, 2008 1:53 AM

rrinker

 You need to put a piece of tape in the bottom of the motor cavity so the bottom tab can't touch the frame.

More than that, you need to either bend flat, the two prongs that contact the frame, or clip them off alltogether.

Jay 

C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1 

Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums 

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Posted by rrinker on Friday, December 26, 2008 10:03 PM

 You need to put a piece of tape in the bottom of the motor cavity so the bottom tab can't touch the frame. If it does, you will damage the decoder. Electrical tape will work but the clear yellow Kapton tape is stronger and thinner.

 If you are using a DH123AT or DH163AT you will need 14-16V bulbs to hook directly to the decoder. Or 1.5V bulbs plus resistors. Or some white LEDs with a 1K resistor on each one.

                                   --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
    January 2003
  • From: Ridgeville,South Carolina
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Athearn BB Locomotive Decoders
Posted by willy6 on Friday, December 26, 2008 9:57 PM

I remember reading somewhere that when installing a decoder in an Athearn BB loco, something has to be done to the bottom of the motor and I can't remember what it was.Also the Digitrax instuctions mention adding lights of 1.5v or 12-16v, which one do I use? Please help.

Being old is when you didn't loose it, it's that you just can't remember where you put it.

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