Hello, I am quite new to the dcc world, and am currently working on installing my first decoder into my engine.
It's an Ho Athearn Rtr SD50 Diesel locomotive. It is dcc ready meaning that it has an adapter board that you can just plug a decoder into. It says that it is fit for a 9 pin decoder, and if you use an 8-pin decoder it has to be soldered, however, I believe it has an 8 pin connector in it, and through googling, have found other sites that say the newer athearn locomotives do come with an 8 pin connection, however, I believe that they also say that the 8 pin connector bypasses resistors going to the lights and someone had their lights on the locomotive blow after using an 8 pin decoder.
Should I get new/better lights that have/need resistors? I am no electronics whiz so I don't know how easy it would be to replace the lights and/or add resistors for them.
I have also seen some people say that I should replace the factory installed board that the decoders plug into. I'm skepticle about doing this because it seems like it would take moving wires and all that good stuff and I would be extremely worried about breaking/ruining my new locomotive. Is this an easy thing or something that I need to do? How well will my locomotive perform with its stock board?
Also, I have been looking into getting the loksound 5 dcc decoder. The one I'm eyeing I believe has a speaker already in it, and, again, I would be lost trying to find and wire a speaker for another sound decoder. It seems like a good one for my scale locomitive but I'm always open to suggestions.
Big thanks to anyone that can spread some insight to me!
There are many 9 pin decoders on the market.
if you are thinking sound decoders there are also 9 pin decoders too.
If this is your first install, sound wise.
I suggest you have someone else do the install for you. Then you can look see has how things were done.
There are also decoders that are in the shape of the board that coems with the loco - you remove the stock board and snap in the decoder, wires hook back up in approximately the same location they did on the factory board. These are easy to install and leave the most space for the speaker.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
This should take care of everything. Last I knew, Athearn come with 1.5 volt bulbs but that might have changed so this might not be for you.Others here will know.
They are excellent decoders.
Take a look at the TCS site.
https://tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/1107
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.