Digitrax DN163K1a User manual

DN163K1a
Fits Kato SD 40 Locomotive
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 with 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
Plug ‘N Play design makes installation quick and easy.
Golden-White LEDs for added realism.
Transponder ID 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 helps prevent 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
©2004 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 1
DDigitrax CCommand CControl
Run
Your Trains, Not Your Track!
N Scale
Mobile Decoder
DCC Plug ‘N Play
1.5 Amp/2.0 Amp Peak
6 FX3Functions, 0.5 Amp

©2004 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 2
Parts
List
1 DN163K1a 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 - Kato SD-440 Locomotive
1. Carefully remove the loco-
motive’s shell from the
frame. Notice the orientation
of the light board inside so
that you can install the new
decoder in the same orienta-
tion.
2. Carefully remove the factory
light board by sliding it
toward the back of the loco-
motive and out form under
the frame clips. Then gently
lift the board out of the
frame. Be careful not to bend
the motor contacts. Apply a
small piece of Kapton tape to
frame above motor. Figure 2.
3. Install the DN163K1a
decoder by tilting it slightly
as you insert the front cor-
ners into the forward frame
clips. Press the decoder
motor clips down over the
motor contacts and slide the
decoder board forward so the
board’s corners are under the
frame clips. Figure 3
5. Replace the locomotive shell.
Digitrax decoders are set up
with configuration variable
(CV) default values so you
can run your locomotive
right away using address 03.
DDigitrax CCommand CControl
Run
Your Trains, Not Your Track!
Figure 1: Remove loco shell
Figure 2: Slide the light board from
under frame clips to remove light board
frame clips
Factory
Light board
Figure 3:
Place decoder in frame, sliding
under frame clips.
Light
shroud
Motor contact -
1 each side
Apply
Kapton Tape for
insulation
frame clips

©2004 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.
Installation
in Other Locomotives
The DN163K1a will fit into
other locomotives with the
same frame design but may
require some minor modifica-
tions. For instance, the Kato
C44-9W requires some modifi-
cation to the inside of the shell
of the locomotive in order for
the decoder to fit. Insert the
decoder into the frame as
shown in the previous example. Lay a small piece of carbon paper on top of the
decoder board and gently slide the shell onto the frame. Press down gently on
the top of the locomotive shell to mark where the decoder parts contact the
underside of the shell. Carefully grind these marked areas to accommodate the
LED and the components on the top of the decoder board. The approximate
locations for modification are indicated in Figure 4. You may need to glue the
stack in place after grinding is completed.
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.
450
Cemetery Street T770-4441-77992
Norcross,
GA USA 30071 F770-4441-00759
www.digitrax.com Es[email protected]
Figure 4: Modifications to Kato C44-9 shell
Sand or grind these areas of shell

©2004 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 4
To change the decoder address:
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.
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.
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 recom-
mend 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.

©2004 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 5
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.
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 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.
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 web site.
450
Cemetery Street T770-4441-77992
Norcross,
GA USA 30071 F770-4441-00759
www.digitrax.com Es[email protected]