Athearn Blue Box DCC Board Install

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

This is a really good video. Im going to save this for when I convert mine!

[@brian102256]

Thanks Joe! Glad that it was worthwhile for you.

[@Crookedriverandeasternrr]

Nice tutorial Brian. Thanks for the info

[@brian102256]

You're welcome! It's a fairly easy conversion.

[@georgiasunbelt]

Really appreciate that installation instructions, thanks for the video…seems pretty straightforward…one question, the jumpers, do they have be bought separately? Wish I could give you more than one 👍🏽 😊

[@brian102256]

The jumpers do not come with the board. I just happened to have some from other projects. I imagine that you could buy them somewhere but if you decide to use one of these boards, I'll be happy to send you some jumpers.

[@georgiasunbelt]

@@brian102256 thanks, I’ll be ordering a couple boards very soon to DCC a couple engines

[@brian102256]

@@georgiasunbelt here's my email address. Send me your mailing address and I'll get them out to you! [e-mail]

[@kerryrock9248]

Always wondered how easy it was to do this. Next do it to a brass steam engine and add sound!

[@brian102256]

Thanks for the comment and for watching! I don't think you'll see me doing that type of conversion as I don't do steam and don't care for sound! But I believe there are other KZbin channels that have videos about this. Take care!

[@billgingerich6791]

First, great video! This looks like a great conversion. How much height does it add to the moto?. I have a BB SW1500 that I tried putting a Digitrax DH166D in. Not enough clearance between the motor and the shell to put the decoder on top of the motor. I ended up getting a smaller DN136D and mounting the decoder in the cab. Wondering if you've had similar issues?

[@brian102256]

Hey Bill! Thanks for the comment! On the loco, there was an area below the dynamic brake covering that housed a weight. I had to cut that out to allow the decoder to fit. Most of the other Athearn locos I've had did not have this area so the decoders fit without issue. I've not had any SW units, only GP and SD style.

[@jeffhanke1662]

What Digitrax decoder did you use? Very good video. I haven’t seen anyone else use this Athearn part. Seems like a great idea.

[@brian102256]

Hey Jeff, I used a DH166D decoder. I don't do sound but the 166 is a six function decoder which offers more light controls, should I decide to add them, such as MARS light, ditch light, number boards, etc. Thanks for your comment and for watching!

[@jeffhanke1662]

Is there a LED and resistor you’d recommend for the lights?

[@brian102256]

Hey Jeff, thanks for the comment. I have never used LED's when retrofitting a loco like this, only the incandescent bulbs. I know that there are LED's that come pre-wired with the resistors in place. I'd do a search on eBay or Amazon for them, that way they'll have the proper resistor already attached.

[@CurtBergStillLoves2PlayTrains]

Hey Brian! I checked out your video on the Blue Box DCC install using a PC board. Where did you get the PC board? Was that part of the decoder purchase? Great video. Seems pretty simple. Also, nice call out to Anthony on GSB. The model RR community is pretty special.

[@brian102256]

Hey Curt, I purchased the PC board on Walmart.com but you can also find them on eBay. The Athearn part number is ATH90616. It was a separate purchase from the decoder. Make sure that you get that part number as there are some others that don't have the clip that attaches the board to the top of the motor. Yes Anthony is a great guy and he requested that I do a video of that board install.

[@JohnAPrescott]

lol, I won't ask then! lol....

[@brian102256]

I bet you can imagine how I know!!