Adding Decocodes to Atheran SD40 and 45

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Would anyone offer suggetions on how to install Digitrax DH126D decoders to these locos? I know they’re compatiable b/c I called this company. Here are my questions:

  1. After removing the shell, I need to solder the wires according to this site: http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Athearn/SD40/AthearnSD40.htm. Do I solder them to the small board that is found after removing the small piece of black felt? That would make sense. Any suggestions on how to solder in such a tight space?

  2. After done soldering, where to put the decoder? Should it go right on top of the motherboard or somewhere else?

Thanks again!

2

Nothing in the link you provided told you to solder anything. (EDIT: to the board, it does talk about soldering leds to the headlight leads to replace athearns lightbulbs). Does the inside of your locomotive look like the one in the photo with the brown motherboard?

The decoder should plug in just like the photo shows with the TCS T1.

http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Athearn/Genesis_SD45_DCC_Ready/Genesis_SD45_DCC_Ready.html

Does the board with the felt on it look like the one that is in the 6th picture down on the link I provided (SD45).

Unless it is the old blue box SD40 without a board, It should have a 9 Pin JST plug that attaches to your decoder. There should be nine wires that run into a white rectangle attached to the board with the black felt. The wires coming out of your decoder also have a plug.