Athearn SD45T-2

Scale:
HO Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:

T1



This installation is for Athearn SD 45T-2 uses TCS T1 decoder and was performed by a TCS Customer.

Photo shows harness before T1 decoder is installed. This installation requires a two function decoder. The Train Control Systems T1 decoder is the best choice. It fits "plug n play" with the connector supplied with the locomotive. The locomotive light bulbs are 1.5 volt but the necessary voltage dropping resistors and diodes are mounted on the locomotive light board. To install the T1 decoder: 1. Remove two Phillips head screws on underside of the loco. There is one screw located on either side of the fuel tank between the tank and the trucks. 2. Remove couplers 3. Lift body straight off. 4. Remove jumper board that is plugged into the 9 pin harness. 5. Plug T1 decoder into the harness. We formed the harness wires slightly to allow the T1 decoder to seat against the light board as shown in the picture. 6. Test operation. If all is ok, reinstall body with the screws. Reinstall the couplers and the installation is complete.
Photo shows harness before T1 decoder is installed. This installation requires a two function decoder. The Train Control Systems T1 decoder is the best choice. It fits "plug n play" with the connector supplied with the locomotive. The locomotive light bulbs are 1.5 volt but the necessary voltage dropping resistors and diodes are mounted on the locomotive light board. To install the T1 decoder: 1. Remove two Phillips head screws on underside of the loco. There is one screw located on either side of the fuel tank between the tank and the trucks. 2. Remove couplers 3. Lift body straight off. 4. Remove jumper board that is plugged into the 9 pin harness. 5. Plug T1 decoder into the harness. We formed the harness wires slightly to allow the T1 decoder to seat against the light board as shown in the picture. 6. Test operation. If all is ok, reinstall body with the screws. Reinstall the couplers and the installation is complete.
T1 decoder installed using the harness supplied with the locomotive.
T1 decoder installed using the harness supplied with the locomotive.

Important Soldering Tip

Please do not use any flux either liquid or paste on the mother board. Over time, the acidic properties of liquid or paste flux will begin eating away at the fiberglass PCB and will damage it. Use only Rosin-core solder or no-clean flux approved for electronics use.

TCS recommends the use of Kester "44" Sn63 Pb37, .015" diameter Rosin-core solder. Kester part number 24-6337-0007.

You can order this solder from the following retailers:
Digikey - PN:KE1110-ND
Techni-Tool - PN:488SO6775

Other solder tips

When stripping wire, only strip a tiny little bit of the insulation. Strip no more than a 1/32 of an inch. When the wire gets tinned with solder, the insulation will shrink back more. Try to not expose any more wire than half the length of the solder pad at most. In no case should solder or exposed wire wire ever be outside the boundary of the the solder pad you are attaching a wire to.
Click here for important information on properly Stripping and Tinning wire