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We recently orderd our Digitrax Chief II Radio Control DCC System with an additional booster suply and an additional DT-300R controller. We also ordered some DH121 decoders (1.5 amp; we were told these would work good with the Athearn Locomotives we had). The problem is that we don't quite understand how to install them. We've read that the motor must isolated from the chassis. We performed the 'hard wire' performance tips listed in teh Athearn Locomotives book from teh RAILMODEL Journal. We hard wired the top of the motor to the pick-up tab on the trucks and the bottom of the motor (after we removed an insulated the bottom tab of the lower brush holder from the chassis) was then hard wired to the chassis (as shown in that book). Besides inserting the decoder and wiring it, what else will we need to do. The motor, with the bottom brush holder wired to the chassis, obviously isn't truely isolated from the frame. The way the power is transmitted throught the Athearn trucks, we don't know how to do this. Do we need to replace the trucks? Are we missing something or making a mountain out of a mole hill? Most of these locomotives have Kadee #5 couplers mounted (and height checked with the Kadee coupler guage) to the frame. After reading some other articles, we did go ahead and order some DH121AT decoders too. We'll now have 4 DH121's and 2 DH121AT decoders. We live about 2 hours from any Model Railraod Store, and my work hours currently do not allow much a chance on getting to any of these stores in the near future to buy any books or any parts. If any one can help us (my 14-year old son and I) it would be greatly appreciated. I've already downloaded the manuals, but could find nothing about specifically installing decoders in these locomotives. We want to do it right and not damage anything. We're both anxious to get going as soon as all the stuff arrives. Just figured I'd get an early start on getting information on an area where I already see potential concerns. <br /> <br />thanks
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