Athearn Genesis Ditch Lights help

[Trucklover]

I have a question on where the ditch lights go on an older model Athearn Genesis loco. this is the first run im assuming, cuz you have to install all the details and such and they are not listed on Athearn's web site anymore

This is a BNSF SD75I, it came with 2 little light bulbs for the ditch lights, but i dont know where the wires go and where they should be soldered. Ive never done anything like this before and i didnt see anything in the instructions on how to do this....

I followed and weaved the wires where i believe they are supposed to go ( down through the anticlimber, through the top of the frame, and up through the whole where the front of the cab rests)

here are some pics:







Can someone tell me where these wires need to go?

I dont know this will effect it or not, but i will be running this in DCC and will need to install a decoder in it... that will come later though, do i need to wait to hook up these wires?

[upnick]

Hi Josh,

I havnt fitted ditch lights to an Athearn loco as yet and havnt seen wiring like this but i would say fit SMD LED's instead of bulbs two fold reason they dont give off heat like bulbs and they last a lot longer in operations.

Your going the DCC route so i would wait until its fitted with a decoder and wire up then .... you saw the N scale install of ditch lights on the vid here <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://realityreduced.blip.tv/#1309367">http://realityreduced.blip.tv/#1309367</a><!-- m --> (episode 10 ) the wiring cant be to disimilar ....using the function pads.
Do the ditch lights have clear lightpipes like the Kato loco in the vid ?

Some of the pics on this Loksound DCC install might help .......... dont forget they are for a DCC install though ...... look cool loco with sound

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ulrichmodels.com/Prostores/SoundUpgrades/LokSound_Athearn_SD70_Install.pdf">http://www.ulrichmodels.com/Prostores/S ... nstall.pdf</a><!-- m -->

[woodone]

Trucklover.
Are you planning to use DCC or stay with DC? If you are just using DC you can hook up the ditch lights to the front lights. They will be on all the time the front lights are on. On the wiring of them, there are two wires to each bulb. Take one wire from each bulb and twist them together, do the same for the other wires.
Then pull the small plastic caps off the PC board where the front headlight are attached. Hook one side of your twisted wires to one side of the headlight wires and reinstall the plastic cap, do the same for the other side.
If your are going DCC, let me know and I can try to helpo you out.

[Trucklover]

Hi Josh,

I havnt fitted ditch lights to an Athearn loco as yet and havnt seen wiring like this but i would say fit SMD LED's instead of bulbs two fold reason they dont give off heat like bulbs and they last a lot longer in operations.

Your going the DCC route so i would wait until its fitted with a decoder and wire up then .... you saw the N scale install of ditch lights on the vid here <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://realityreduced.blip.tv/#1309367">http://realityreduced.blip.tv/#1309367</a><!-- m --> (episode 10 ) the wiring cant be to disimilar ....using the function pads.
Do the ditch lights have clear lightpipes like the Kato loco in the vid ?

Some of the pics on this Loksound DCC install might help .......... dont forget they are for a DCC install though ...... look cool loco with sound

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ulrichmodels.com/Prostores/SoundUpgrades/LokSound_Athearn_SD70_Install.pdf">http://www.ulrichmodels.com/Prostores/S ... nstall.pdf</a><!-- m -->

Nick i am going to be doing DCC, thanks for the links, ill have to watch that video again as well

I plan to put one of the following decoders in it: TCS T4XP (4 functions), TCS T6XP (6 functions) or NCE D13SRJ (6 functions) but i have not decided weather i am going to go with TCS or NCE decoders yet....

[Trucklover]

Trucklover.
Are you planning to use DCC or stay with DC? If you are just using DC you can hook up the ditch lights to the front lights. They will be on all the time the front lights are on. On the wiring of them, there are two wires to each bulb. Take one wire from each bulb and twist them together, do the same for the other wires.
Then pull the small plastic caps off the PC board where the front headlight are attached. Hook one side of your twisted wires to one side of the headlight wires and reinstall the plastic cap, do the same for the other side.
If your are going DCC, let me know and I can try to helpo you out.

Woodone, i will be going DCC with all my engines, some require just plug-ins and some require some hard wiring. Im not sure if this one is DCC ready or not though, its an Athearn Genesis loco, but it was from the first run of Genesis locos, is it DCC ready?

As i mentioned in my last post, i will be using one of the following decoders: TCS T4XP (4 functions), TCS T6XP (6 functions) or NCE D13SRJ (6 functions)

[woodone]

If your don't see a 8 pin socket on the PC board you will have to hard wire it. It might be DCC friendly, but without the 8 pin socket it is not DCC ready.
Yo will have to wire the two ditch lights to the F5 and F6 pads and program them to work as ditch lights. A word of warrning- what is the voltage of these bulbs?
Most Athearn locos use 1 1/2 volt light bulbs. You will have to use resistors or some type of voltage control or you will burn them out. If you don't, they will flash once and be gone.
From what I saw in your photos you can use a Atlas light board type decoder. It will snap right in place of the PC board that is the loco now.

[Trucklover]

If your don't see a 8 pin socket on the PC board you will have to hard wire it. It might be DCC friendly, but without the 8 pin socket it is not DCC ready.
Yo will have to wire the two ditch lights to the F5 and F6 pads and program them to work as ditch lights. A word of warrning- what is the voltage of these bulbs?
Most Athearn locos use 1 1/2 volt light bulbs. You will have to use resistors or some type of voltage control or you will burn them out. If you don't, they will flash once and be gone.
From what I saw in your photos you can use a Atlas light board type decoder. It will snap right in place of the PC board that is the loco now.

Hi Wood, this guy, Fred, over on ModelRailroadForums, thet are 1-1/2 volt light bulbs. He alse recommended the TCS 6 Function decoder:

I'd recommend a TCS A6X decoder for that unit. It clips in to the same mounting tabs above the motor as the factory board and has built in resistors so you can keep Athearn's 1.5V bulbs.

I think i may just use all TCS 6 function decoders for all my locos, they may be a little more expensive, but i think they will be worth it

Thanks for the help guys

[upnick]

Hi Josh,

I would reccomend you purchase the TCS decoder as they carry the goof proof warrenty

[woodone]

Josh.
The TCS decoder A6X will make your life ( install) much easer. Like some one said, it will support 1 1/2 volt lights. Has a built in voltage regulator for them.
Have fun. DCC is great!!
BTW I have seen the A6X for sale for $26.39. Take a look at Deno's DCC section for a dealer.

[Trucklover]

Nick and Wood, thanks guys

Ive heard NCE has a Goof Proof warranty as well and there customer service is right up there with TCS's

Ohhh and i gotta source for cheap decoders to

Thanks again guys

[upnick]

Ohhh and i gotta source for cheap decoders to

Hi Josh,

Cheap decoders are a mistake ... over here seen so many posts on forums with cheap decoder problems ...... stick with TCS and you'll have loads of hours of pleasure from them ....... out of over 50 installs on my N scale stock never had one go wrong or lose its address, the insruction/use is a lot easier compared with others.

[Trucklover]

Hi Josh,

Cheap decoders are a mistake ... over here seen so many posts on forums with cheap decoder problems ...... stick with TCS and you'll have loads of hours of pleasure from them ....... out of over 50 installs on my N scale stock never had one go wrong or lose its address, the insruction/use is a lot easier compared with others.

LOL Nick, when i said cheap decoders, i mean "cheap" TCS and NCE decoders

[upnick]

LOL Nick, when i said cheap decoders, i mean "cheap" TCS and NCE decoders

Hi Josh,

Depends how many cheap decoders you buy could get discount on quantity
One TCS decoder a soundbug can be plugged in i believe ......
One Q why do you need 6 function decoders though ?

[Trucklover]

Hi Josh,

Depends how many cheap decoders you buy could get discount on quantity
One TCS decoder a soundbug can be plugged in i believe ......
One Q why do you need 6 function decoders though ?

I want them all to be 6 function decoders so if i change something or add something in the future, i can use the decoder thats already in there and programed for that loco without having to install a new decoder