I'm trying to nail down the correct decoder for the new Kato SD45. On the Digitrax side I've seen retailers list both the Digitrax DN163K1B and DN163K1C. On the TCS side I've seen the K4D4 listed, but the retailer I ordered my locomotives from said that it wasn't the right decoder. Which decoder have you installed successfully? Thanks, Greg
Any decoder made for your loco type should work. It just depends on what features you want e.g. lighting, BEMF, etc. Go to each DCC site and look for the one made for your loco. Some even have installation instructions & pix.
Looks like Kato made two versions of this SD-45. The early release was not made for a drop in decoder. Had to be hard wired from what I have seen. If is a later release- TCS K1D4 should fit - Digitrax- I think that I would go with the DN163K1C as it has surface mount LED's, the K1B has 3 mm LED's, which might hit the shell.
Actually K1B will fit just fine, as it was designed for the early run of SD40-2s and SD40s. And being the SD40 and SD45 share the same frame...the K1B will fit.
OK, so I went with the Digitrax DN163K1B. I fits well, but the front light illuminates the cab as well as the headlight and number boards. I'm wondering if I had used the Digitrax DN163K1C I would have avoided that. They do run very well. I installed two in two different locomotives. I was hoping to get a hassle free speed match by matching locos and decoders, but it looks like one is a slow starter, and the other one tops out early. I'll have to spend some time matching them up.
In short, no. The surface mout would make the number boards and the headlights dimmer while still lighting up the cab. The light pipe for the the numberboards and headlights has a larger diode relief cutout in the part.
