AC4400 Bue Box Decoder Issue fixed.

Well I finally decide to go look at the reason why My Athearn Blue Box Ac44000 wasnt working with the decoder I installed.

It wasnt an Athearn issue or Lenz decoder issue it was. Me I resoldered the decoder wrong I skipped a soldering pad on the decoder so everything was one up. You ask why did I have to resolder the decoder? Because when I was installing it the must of wiggled the wires to much and the snapped off. But now mu Midwest & Northern or Midwest Intermodal (freelanced rr) now has an AC44000.

Good deal! It least it was something simple that was easily remedied.

Just happy I didnt fry the decoder that wouldnt have been good.

Im glad it now works and everything except your nerves came out unharmed. I have a BB that Im going to install a decoder in if I ever go DCC.

-beegle55

It seems it’s always the wiring, or at least an electrical issue. I’ve installed several decoders in BB’s and find you have to clean/polish the metal contacts between the truck bolster and the frame. I find a lot of dirt and rust in that area which leads to poor electrical transmission and drives the decoder (and me) nuts. Not to mention the older BB wheels pic-up krud faster than anything.

Good luck with any other conversions.

I have a lot of other locomotives as in Athearn BB to convert. I usually dont have problems but some reason this one was cursed from Day one. I did get my LED light sinstalled and it looks great.