I understand that the DN163K0B can be used in the Kato F40PH N scale loco. I have three that I want to install decoders in. Digitrax obviously is not interested in suppling a ready made plug and play decoder for reason of their own. So since I have never attempted to modify a decoder and don't really know about shortening the LED leads can someone explain it to me in terms a dumb guy can understand. Or better yet, does anyone else make a decoder that will drop in. I am not too happy with Digitrax just now. I have three F40PH locos. It would be nice to give my money to someone interested in supporting their customers. But if I have to, i'll attempt to modify the DN163K0B's. Thanks for the help, Doc
I don't have any of those locos, so I can't help you. But I have been thinking about looking into whether or not I can modify some of my existing Digitrax decoders that fit other Atlas locos to fit my MP15's... I think the first step is to remove the light boards and compare them... check the critical dimesions (width and length first). If that will work (or you can change those dimensions without affecting the wiring traces, move to the next step: How do the contacts and general wiring line up? (Not all locos are wired the same) Anyway, that is a start! Harold
Why do you try to hardwire a Lenz mini gold series decoder in your Kato F40PH... Stay cool and run steam.....
It's really quite easy to do and then you could use the decoder of your choice. Stay cool and run steam.....
i had digitrax DN163KOA's installed in two kato f40ph's. it involves removing the led's from the light board, shortening them, and reinstalling, via solder, back to the light board. fortunately, i wasn't the one who did the soldering. i wouldn't have wanted to attemp this alone without seeing it done first. email the folks at, locoworks@spillage.net, for pricing on their installations. they have very reasonable prices. hope this is helpful, tom
Harold & Bob, I would love to install a hardwired decoder in the F40PH locos. It looks like there is enough room on top even in N Scale. However I have never done this. I wouldn't know where to start or what wire to solder where. I have done a lot of things in my twenty years of N scale modeling, but I have never attempted to solder. Doc
The decoder can be made to fit. As already mentioned there is plenty of vertical clearance. Fold the led first back then again forward. Use appropriate tools to support the circuit board while folding. Use some Kapton tape to insulate the leads from components on the board. There should be some Kapton tape with the decoder. Of course just cutting the led off and running without lights is also an option. Martin Myers
