Hello everybody. I have a problem with my digitrax decoder for my Athearn HO Dash 9-44CW. I sucessfully installed the decoder, but when I felt body of the engine it felt like the motor, and decoder were burning. This is the first time I have put a decoder in by hand so I don’t know what caused it to do so. If you guys have ever hade the same experience as I did but have fixed your problem I would like to know how you made your engine work without overheating. Thank you, and happy model railroading.
First off Athearn made Blue box older Dash 9 and new RTR plug and play. I do not know if the DTH123D is for the old or new. But anyway, I would just call digitrax and tell them the issue. They will give you technical support extension and who is better than that guy? pretty much no one. good luck!
No such thing as an DTH123D. You must be talking about the DH123D…it makes a difference.
Saying this, this tells me that you have an RTR Athearn…a plug and play. That being said, you probably have a bum decoders (we have dropped the Digitrax DH series of decoders where I work).
Ryan, I moved your thread because we are trying to ensure that the forum stays partitioned according to topic, and this newest forum on Electronics and DCC is the place for this one.
I agree. It’s for this reason that I decided against using the DH123 in any of my locos. The only decoder I have at present that heats up in operation is an old Bachmann POS that’s currently in an Athearn GP50. It’s on the list for replacement with a Digitrax DZ125.
You didn’t give us a key piece of information, is it working or is it just getting hot and not working ? If it is just getting hot and not working then the cause is likely excessive current draw. This i
The " D " at the end tells me it is harness type ( 6" ) and requires soldering… if it was a " P " at the end it would be PaP with a 3" harness. the “PS” is same PaP with 1" harness…
One thing you did not state, do you have a problem with the operation of the loco ?
Does the engine stop dead and feel hot to the touch at that time ? If it does no stop dead but is warm to the touch, you do not have a problem.
Another point is this decoder has 2 function outputs that require 22ohm 1/4W resistor if the lamps draw more than 80Ma. Confusing part is the Digitrax web site says 2x/125MA function but the book says 500ma total function.
RTR simply means out of the box and ready to run. Did you have to solder the DH123D or not. At any rate if it runs ok you might look at the function outputs for your answer (lights).
Ok, so this is actually an Athearn in the yellow box and you just plugged the DH123D into the socket ? Do you have the Athearn model number or what is the road number and road name on the locomotive ? Or did you have to wire anything ? Do the lights work OK ? When it gets hot is that right away, under a heavy load, or under what conditions ? Sorry for so many questions. Just trying to help narrow down the issue.