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Athearn Genesis GP38-2 SP non sound Question

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,796 posts
Posted by JoeinPA on Sunday, December 29, 2013 7:51 AM

Rich:

Thanks for the info. I'm going to put it in my "never to be forgotten" file so I'll have it when I need it in the future.

Joe

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, December 29, 2013 4:43 AM

JoeinPA

I believe the Athearn bulbs are 1.5 volts but I don't know how many milliamps they draw. You could try a 1K resistor and if the light is too dim try lesser value resistors. Sorry that I can't be of more help.

Joe

 

I came across an old email from Athearn in which they told me that the 1.5 volt incandescent bulb is rated at 12 to 16 milliamps.

I use the 1K resistor with those bulbs as well.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,796 posts
Posted by JoeinPA on Saturday, December 28, 2013 8:44 PM

I believe the Athearn bulbs are 1.5 volts but I don't know how many milliamps they draw. You could try a 1K resistor and if the light is too dim try lesser value resistors. Sorry that I can't be of more help.

Joe

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Baytown, TX
  • 57 posts
Posted by WheelSet2 on Saturday, December 28, 2013 4:27 PM

hey Joe thanks for the help, The lights are not LEDS but incandescant. The front hood light works in dcc but the top cab light which is the gyralight will not work. So it is just this one gyralight that will not work This is a Genesis model which you would think the lights should not have to be hard wired.That being said do you know what resistor I need?

Santa Fe All The Way

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,796 posts
Posted by JoeinPA on Saturday, December 28, 2013 4:07 PM

You can use either the green or the violet wire for one lead to your gyro light and the blue lead for the other. Which you choose is up to your preference. I'm not sure what type of bulb is in your light but you will probably need a resistor in series with one lead of the light.

Joe 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Baytown, TX
  • 57 posts
Posted by WheelSet2 on Saturday, December 28, 2013 3:23 PM

Hey Joe.  I got the DH163P and you are correct.  I have to hardwire the gyro light.  I have a green wire & violet wire, what do I do next, I'm lost.  In the manual outputs for F1 green & F2 violet can be wired to additional functions if desired, but they don't say which ones to use unless I'm missing something here.  Any help will be apprecieated.  Thanks

Santa Fe All The Way

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Baytown, TX
  • 57 posts
Posted by WheelSet2 on Saturday, December 14, 2013 9:03 AM
Thanks for the help Joe,I will try the DH163 and see what happens.

Santa Fe All The Way

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,796 posts
Posted by JoeinPA on Friday, December 13, 2013 8:40 PM

The Digitrax DH123 is a basic 2 function decoder that supports the front and rear headlights and n othing else. To do what you want to do you will need the DH163 which will provide the functions and FX effects you want. You may need to hardwire the extra functions.

Joe

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Baytown, TX
  • 57 posts
Athearn Genesis GP38-2 SP non sound Question
Posted by WheelSet2 on Friday, December 13, 2013 5:52 PM

Hi fellow railroaders.  I just purchased the above said locomotive, installed a digitrax DH123 decoder and cannot get the top cab light to oscilate.  Installed dummie plug back in and cab light works.  So I know it's not the light.  I've also tried function F5 & F6.  Does anyone know if that decoder supports that function?  I called Digitrax and thought I might need the DH163 because it has more light functions.  Does anyone have any experience with this?  Appreciate all your help on this.  P.S.  Hoodlight and both upper & lower rear lights work in DCC

Santa Fe All The Way

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