Instructions on how to install a decoder in a Athearn F7 Athearn model #80395 (not Genesis)

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Anyone know of a place where I can get instructions on how to install a decoder in an Athearn model number 80395 F7 (not Genesis) and what brand and model of decoder to use?

Thanks

2

I would suggest a Digitrax DH123AT for an easy install in athearn locos.

3

Thanks, I was looking at that one. So far I have only installed plug in decoders, would this be real difficult to install?

4

Possible solutions.

http://www.willegal.net/railroad/rr-dcc.htm

http://www.loystoys.com/install/install-athearn-f7.html

Rich

5

not really. I believe the hardest part is isolating the motor from the frame. Pretty much, you have red/black wires going to the trucks for track power, orange/slate(grey) go to the motor leads, white/blue to the front light(s) and yellow/blue to the rear light(s). Some decoders also have Green/Violet for additional light effects (ditch lights, gyralight, mars light, etc).

If you try the search function on the forum, I know there were a few threads that discussed the method(s) to wire in a decoder to an Athearn loco.

Basic Decoder wire colors (in case you didn’t quite catch what I was getting at above)

Red, Black - track pickups

Orange, Slate (grey) - Motor outputs

White, Yellow, Green, Violet - Light functions (I believe they’re the ‘negative’ wire if using LEDs)

Blue - light function common (I believe this is the ‘positive’ wire if using LEDs)

6

Do a search on youtube.com some great how-to videos on decoder installs.Good luck!

7

this decoder requires no soldering to install into pre DCC Athearn locos, comes with step by step instructions, and once you have installed this one, you will have a good grasp on how to do hard wire installs in other brand locos.

this is an exellent loco/decoder combo to learn on.

8

I have put a DH123AT into my Athearn F-7 and it was very easy. Here is how I did it:

  1. Push the white tabs underneath the fuel tank up into the frame to loosen the motor.
  2. Pull out the motor, then put some electrician’s tape covering the inside of the fuel tank so that the motor brushes CANNOT IN ANY WAY CONTACT THE FRAME!
  3. Replace the motor with the white tabs
  4. Connect the wires as told in the manual.
  5. Test the loco on the program track, then test run it on your layout.
  6. Now program as you wish, and have fun with your new DCC equipped loco!
9

Your instructions wont actually work. You forgot to mention that you need to solder on a lead to the bottom of the motor BEFORE you replace it…

David B

10

With the DH123AT you take off the orignal motor clip and put on the one supplied, thanks for pointing this out you have to put it on before replacing the motor. Oops!