Train Modeler There are lots of ways to do this from very easy to just replacing the board. It depends on what you want the end product to be. If it's just for motor/functions, Digitrax makes a decoder that is very small, plugs right into the 8 pin plug and is barely any larger. If you want sound, you may need to change out a wiring harness to get a 9pin jst to 8 pin plug. Or replace the whole board. Richard
There are lots of ways to do this from very easy to just replacing the board. It depends on what you want the end product to be. If it's just for motor/functions, Digitrax makes a decoder that is very small, plugs right into the 8 pin plug and is barely any larger.
If you want sound, you may need to change out a wiring harness to get a 9pin jst to 8 pin plug. Or replace the whole board.
Richard
Be advised, the sound and stay alive decoder leads have nothing to do with the 8 pin connector. You only need that adapter if the sound or non-sound decoders have 9 pin JST connectors. Many do.
SoundTraxx allows you to cut back the shrink a little, unplug the connector with the wires and plug in the adapter.
There are some nice small non-sound 9 pin JST decoders from Digitrax, NCE, SoundTraxx and a couple other companies. Some have a small non-sound decoder with the 8 pin connectors.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I solder to those when the decoder does not come with the eight pin plug. I then plug that one into the PC board eight pin connector. If you put it in wrong, all that will happen is the loco will run in the wrong direction.
I would use a decoder that comes with the eight pin plug if you do not solder. Decoders that come with the 9 pin plug, you can use a 9 pin to eight pin adapter.
Below are links with a lot of info on plugs and decoders. Take time to study all the info. This will be a big benefit to you.same.
Store the links in Favorites and anyone else who reads this message, do the same. You will need them.
http://www.mrdccu.com/
http://www.siliconvalleylines.com/dcc/presentations.html
Don't wander through DCC clueless.
You should use decoders with the proper plugs. If you are just going to solder wires, consider a board repalcement decoder that repalces the AThearn circuit board. Some already have limiters for the 1.5V light bulbs, so it's just a matter of connecting the wires int he same relative position for the track pickups, motor, and lights.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I have some RTR Athearn SD40T-2 will the eight-pin sockets, is it best to plug the decoder wires into the pinholes or can they be soldered into the holes or elsewhere on the circuit board?