Hey guys
I am fairly new to the hobby and I got a brand new Athern SD60 thinking it was already DCC. It wasn't was mistaken by what DCC quick plug equipped meant. Although given what I paid for it I'm not complaining to much. however I have never taken apart an engine before nor do I have any experience with decoders. Basically my question is what is the easiest way to get into my engine so I can switch out the decoder and secondly what decoders work the best with the Athern SD60's. I'm pretty sure I can hook it up right I just need help on figuring out how to take the loco apart with out breaking it. (It's my first higher end engine). I also don't want to buy the wrong decoder for my first engine upgrade.
Any help or tips you guys would have would be great!
thanks
John
Hey . Welcome to the world of DCC . Thats an easy one to do . The manuel that came with the loco will tell you how it comes apart . Its easy and you wont break anything as long as your careful. On the top of the board is a white or grey plug with a little board plugged into it . Thats your quick plug . Unplug that ,Plug in a new 9 pin decoder . As they only have a forward and reverse light on them a 2 function decoder will work fine . You can try a Digitraxx DH123D or any of the other decoders on the market with a 9 pin plug . After its pluged in put it on the track .Select 3 on your controler and try it . Back and forth once or twice is good . Put the shell back on and your off to the races . Goodluck with it . MartyG
Thanks for the help MartyG the only other question I have is the only manual that came with my loco was an exploded diagram it doesn't really tell me how to take the top off. I couldn't find any screws connected to the top either the only screws I found were to the engine block and I don't want to be messing around with that until I'm more confortabale working with the insides of trains. Is there a screw I can't find somewhere or a place wedge it off with a screwdriver.
John,
I don't have any SD60's, but for most of the other Athearn RTR locos, all you have to do is remove the front and rear couplers. Then the shell should slide right off the chassis.
Watch for the wires going from the chassis to the lights in the shell, so you don't inadvertently pull any off. Conversely, be sure you don't pinch any of those wires, or get them too close to the driveline, when replacing the shell.
I'm not familiar with the SD60 but if it's like the other standard Athearns you first remove the couplers and coupler boxes and then slide the shell upwards and off.
Joe
Yes . Your both right . All you do is remove the screw in each coupler box , slide it out and the shell should pull right off . And yes watch the lighting wires when putting it back on . They should tuck up inside as you drop it on . Slide in the coupler boxes ,Reinstall the screws and your good . Most of the locos come apart like that . Have fun .
The SD60 has a screw under each truck that has to be removed. I did a soundtraxx conversion on one a couple of years ago. Here's a pic of the shell removed and arrows pointing to where the screws grab. Also here's a link to my photobucket ablum for more pics on the install:
http://s284.photobucket.com/albums/ll17/hamltnblue/Soundtraxx%20conversion/
Springfield PA
Hamltnblue The SD60 has a screw under each truck that has to be removed.
The SD60 has a screw under each truck that has to be removed.
Wow, I didn't know that! It seems somewhat uncharacteristic for Athearn, but hey, you learn something new every day!
Thanks for posting that info.