Digitrax DH163A0 User manual

DH163A0
Fits Athearn Genesis, Kato,
Stewart, Atlas & Other
HO Locomotives
Features:
Digitrax LocoMotion™ System-Your locomotives look like the real thing.
The Digitrax LocoMotion™ System makes them run like the real thing, too!
Torque Compensation for smooth as silk silent operation.
128 Speed Step operation (14 or 28 steps can also be used).
Momentum with acceleration and deceleration.
Normal Direction of Travel is user selectable.
Switching Speed feature for easier and faster access to yard speeds.
3 Step Speed Tables set start, mid and max voltage for custom control.
28 Step Speed Tables with 256 level resolution for precise control.
Scalable Speed Stabilization (Back EMF) with simple setup & 256 level
resolution.
SuperSonic™ motor drive for silent operation.
FX3Functions for prototypical lighting effects:
Constant Brightness Lighting directional or independent control.
Realistic Effects like Ditch lights, Mars lights, strobes, and many more.
Dynamic and Static Qualifiers operate functions based on direction,
F0 on or off, loco direction and F0, and whether loco is moving.
Function Remapping for custom function setup.
Master Light Switch turns off all lights & functions with one keystroke.
Advanced Consist Function Controls
Circuit Board Replacement design makes installation quick and easy.
Transponder equipped ready for transponding on your layout.
Compatible with digital surround sound systems
All Mode Programming with Operations Mode Read Back-read back CV
values right on the mainline.
Decoder Factory CV Reset with or without speed table initialize.
Motor Isolation Protection prevents damage to your loco and decoder.
Basic, Advanced & UniVersal Consisting
2 Digit and 4 Digit Addressing
DCC Compatible
FCC Part 15, Class B RFI compliant
©2003 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 1
DDigitrax CCommand CControl
Run
Your Trains, Not Your Track!
HO Scale
Mobile Decoder
Circuit Board Replacement
1.5 Amp/2 Amp Peak
6 FX3 Functions, 0.5 Amp

©2003 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 2
Parts
List
1 DH163A0 Decoder 1 Instruction sheet
Installation
Information
See the Digitrax Decoder Manual for complete decoder test procedures, instal-
lation instructions, programming and technical information. Digitrax manuals
and instructions are updated periodically. Please visit www.digitrax.com for the
latest versions, technical updates and additional locomotive-specific installation
instructions.
Installation
Instructions - Atlas GP-338 Locomotive
1. Carefully remove the locomotive’s
shell from the frame. Notice the ori-
entation of the circuit board inside
so that you can install the decoder
in the same orientation. (Figure 1)
2. Slide the circuit board backward
and lift to release it from the frame
clips.
3. Slide the board to one side of the
frame to remove the black plastic
wire retainers that connect the wires
to the board. (Figure 2) Slide the
board to the other side to remove
the remaining wire retainers. There
are 4 retainers on each end and 2 on
the side for the motor connection.
4. The DH163A0 decoder is installed
in the same orientation as the
factory board. There is yellow tape
on the bottom side of the decoder
for insulation. Connect the wires to
the decoder in the same configura-
tion as the factory board using the
wire retainers. (Figure 3) Slide the
decoder over the frame clips to hold
it in place on the frame.
5. You are now ready to run your loco-
motive. The DH163A0 is factory
programmed to address 03. you can
easily customize the address and
other features. See the following
sections and the Digitrax Decoder
Manual for more information.
DDigitrax CCommand CControl
Run
Your Trains, Not Your Track!
Figure 1. Remove shell
decoder
frame clips-
slide board to back and
lift off clips
Figure 2. Remove decoder
Remove plastic wire retainers
(4 each end, 2 on side)
Slide decoder to side of
frame
Figure 3. Install decoder
Replace plastic wire retainers
(4 each end, 2 on side)

©2003 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 3
Installation Notes:
1. Do not exceed the decoder’s 500mA total function output rating.
2. To use a function output with an inductive (coil) type load, see the Digitrax
Decoder Manual for more information to avoid damage to the decoder.
3. See the Digitrax Decoder Manual for full details of wiring 12-16V lamps,
1.5V lamps, and LEDs. Lamps that draw more than 80 mA when running
require a 22 ohm 1/4 watt resistor in series with the directional light func-
tion lead to protect the decoder.
4. Some locomotives employ filter capacitors for RFI suppression in the loco-
motive wiring. These may cause problems with Supersonic decoders and
non-decoder analog operation on DCC. This capacitor should be removed
for safe operation.
Customizing
Your Decoder
Your Digitrax decoder is ready to run and will operate using address 03 with no
additional programming. For a more prototypical railroading experience, your
decoder can be customized for your specific locomotive by programming some
of the Configuration Variables, or CVs available. See the Digitrax Decoder
Manual or the Digitrax web site for more information.
Changing
the Decoder Address
The first CV most people change is the decoder address so that the loco can be
independently controlled with it’s own unique address. All Digitrax decoders
are shipped with CV01 (AD2), the two digit address, set to 03. See your Starter
Set Manual for complete programming instructions. Following is a brief
description of how to change the decoder address with a DT series throttles.
1. Place the loco on the programming track. Go into Program Mode on your
system. On DT400 press PROG. On DT300, DT100 & DT200 press
RUN/STOP & FN/F0.
2. Choose AD2 for 2 digit addressing or AD4 for 4 digit addressing (DT300 &
DT400). (Ad for DT100 & DT200, see set manual for 4 digit instructions).
3. Choose the address you want to set up for the decoder.
4. Complete address programming. On DT400 press ENTER. On DT300,
DT100 & DT200 press SEL.
Note: CV29 must also be programmed to enable 4 digit addressing, this is
done automatically by the DT300 & DT400 but not on earlier throttles.
450
Cemetery Street T770-4441-77992
Norcross,
GA USA 30071 F770-4441-00759
www.digitrax.com Es[email protected]

©2003 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 4
Digitrax
LocoMotion™ System
Your locomotives look like the real thing, now you can make them run like the
real thing, too. Digitrax decoders incorporate torque compensation for smooth
as silk operation. You can also program CVs that control momentum, 3 step
and 128 step speed tables, switching speed, normal direction of travel,
scaleable speed stabilization and more to take full advantage of the Digitrax
LocoMotion™ System.
Momentum-CCV03
& CV04
Acceleration is controlled by CV03 and deceleration by CV04. Both come
from the factory set to 000/x00. A range of 000/x00/ to 031/x1F is available for
both accel and decel. We recommend that you try CV03:003/x03 and
CV04:000/x00 as a starting point for experimenting with momentum.
Speed
Tables-HHow the Loco Responds to the Throttle
There are two types of speed tables: 3 Step Tables and High Resolution 28 Step
Tables. Please see your Decoder Manual for a discussion of the 28 Step Tables.
The 3 Step Tables are set up by programming 3 CVs: Start Voltage (CV02),
Mid point Voltage (CV06) and Max Voltage (CV05). These values are set at
000/x00 at the factory. All have a range of values from 000/x00 to 255/xFF. We
recommend the following CV values as a starting point for experimenting with
speed tables.
DDigitrax CCommand CControl
Run
Your Trains, Not Your Track!
Loco Type V Start V Mid V Max
CV02 CV06 CV05
Switcher
Concentrated low speed. Limited top 002/x02 038/x26 064/x50
speed
Road Switcher
Prototypical top speed w/evenly 002/x02 048/x30 098/x62
distributed curve from 0 to top speed
Mainline Loco
Quick increase to cruising speed then 002/x02 128/x80 154/x9A
levels off to prototypical top speed.

©2003 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 5
Other
LocoMotion™ Features: Switching Speed, Normal Direction of
Travel
& Scaleable Speed Stabilization (Back EMF) Features
Switching speed is controlled by CV54. The factory setting is 000/x00 for
OFF. To turn on the switching speed feature, program CV54 to a value of
001/x01. When this feature is on, use F6 to activate and deactivate switching
speed. When switching speed is ON and F6 is ON, the switching speed feature
is on. With the feature ON, the throttle’s target speed is effectively reduced by
about 50% and the effects of accel and decel programmed into the decoder are
reduced by 1/4. This is useful for yard switching operations.
Normal Direction of Travel (NDOT) is controlled by CV29. See your
decoder manual for additional information on the settings for CV29.
The intensity, or droop, of Scaleable Speed Stabilization (Back EMF) is con-
trolled by CV57. The factory setting for this feature is 006/x06 which is suit-
able for most locos. You can adjust this value in the range of 000/x00 for OFF
to 015/x0F for the maximum effect. Consult your Digitrax Decoder Manual for
info about CVs 55 & 56 and their effects on scaleable speed stabilization. The
factory setting for both CV55 & CV56 is 000/x00.
SuperSonic™
Silent Operation and Torque Compensation
The factory settings in the decoder provide silent, smooth operation of your
locomotive under most conditions. For more information about these settings,
please see the Digitrax Decoder Manual or our website.
Digitrax
Transponding CV61
Digitrax Transponding is controlled by CV61. The initial factory set value is
000/x00 for OFF. To turn ON transponding, program CV61 to a value of
002/x02. This allows you to use Digitrax transponding to keep track of your
rolling stock. When transponding is enabled, the front light of the locomotive
will flicker slightly to indicate transponding signal is being communicated. For
optimal transponding operation, we recommend that you hook up the forward
and rear lights using the standard installation instructions.
Decoder
Reset CV08
Decoder reset lets you reset all CV values to the initial factory settings. To
reset all CV values, program CV08 to a value of 008/x08. You also have the
option of resetting all values except the 28 speed step tables. To do this,
program CV08 to a value of 009/x09.
450
Cemetery Street T770-4441-77992
Norcross,
GA USA 30071 F770-4441-00759
www.digitrax.com Es[email protected]

©2003 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 6
Function
Outputs on the DH163A0
The DH163A0 is set up at the factory to control six function outputs. The
DH163A0 is configured to control the forward and reverse lights on the loco-
motive through the yellow lead and white lead using Function 0 (F0F-forward
and F0R-reverse) for directional lighting. These functions are part of the con-
nections made when the decoder is installed.
Functions F1 (Green), F2 (Violet), F3 (Brown) and F4 (White/Yellow) can be
used by soldering a wire from the pad for the function you wish to use to the
lamp (or other function) you wish to control. The wire colors indicated are the
standard color code used in the industry (you can use any color you like).
These colors are important if you plan to use function remapping.
CAUTION: When adding function wires, be very careful that the wires you add
do not come into contact with any other pads or components on the board
where they might create a short circuit.
All six function outputs can be easily set up with Digitrax FX3lighting effects
or as standard on/off functions with the following operational qualifiers:
1. Forward or Reverse direction of travel, or
2. Whether F0 is on or off, or
3. Both direction of travel and whether F0 is on or off, or
4. Whether the locomotive is stopped or moving.
DDigitrax CCommand CControl
Run
Your Trains, Not Your Track!
motor connections
-+ Left side
(Fireman’s)
Pickup
Left side
(Fireman’s)
Pickup
Right Side
(Engineer’s)
Pickup
Right Side
(Engineer’s)
Pickup
Blue
Blue
F0R
F0F
F2, Violet
F4, White/yellow F3, Brown
F1, Green
Blue/+common
Figure 4. DH163A0 Decoder Function Outputs (front of loco to the right)

©2003 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 7
Function
Remapping
Function remapping allows you to program the function outputs of your
decoder to be controlled by selected function keys on your throttle. Please
consult the Digitrax Decoder Manual or website for information on function
remapping.
Master
Light Switch
Each of the six function outputs can be programmed to turn on and off with the
F0 ON/OFF key on your throttle, creating a Master Light Switch. The CV
values for creating this effect are listed in the Digitrax Decoder Manual which
is available at our website.
Warranty
& Repair
All warranties on Digitrax products are limited to refund of purchase price,
repair or replacement at Digitrax’s sole discretion. Except as expressly stated in
the full warranty statement, there are no warranties, express or implied, includ-
ing but not limited to any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particu-
lar purpose. For complete warranty details see www.digitrax.com.
Damaged decoders should be returned directly to Digitrax for repair.
Digitrax, Inc. is not responsible for unintentional errors or omissions in this
document.
450
Cemetery Street T770-4441-77992
Norcross,
GA USA 30071 F770-4441-00759
www.digitrax.com Es[email protected]

Made in U.S.A.
307-1005-0000 1K/09/03
450 Cemetery Street
Norcross, GA USA 30071
www.digitrax.com
T770-441-7992
F770-441-0759
E[email protected]
DH163A0
Fits Athearn Genesis, Kato, Stewart, Atlas &
Other Locomotives