10-24-2014, 11:39 AM
Athearn has a PC board that it had included in some of the newer, non-ex-bluebox RTR locos. This has become available as part 90616, and it makes installing DCC in bluebox or RTR GP38-2s and GP40-2s a lot easier -- there are positive solder points, both an 8-pin and 9-pin socket, and the option of adding 1.5 v bulbs. The most recent run of GP38-2s has this board as stock, which makes these as easy to convert to DCC as any other Athearn RTR.
Here is a board installed, as yet without decoder, in an older RTR GP38-2 chassis:
As is, this makes a DCC conversion a little easier, because it allows you to install the 90616 board and do the rewiring needed, but then test that install under DC, so you eliminate any debugging issues during the install where a wiring error might be the problem, rather than the decoder.
Here is a GP38-2 chassis with 90616 with a Digitrax DH126:
However, I found that when you add an older RTR GP38-2 body, the 90616 doesn't quite fit. I had to hog out a rebate in the shell roof weight retainer to clear the 8-pin socket:
For some reason, this isn't a problem in the latest-run GP38-2s with the 90616 installed. I also discovered that you have to be careful how you install the shell with a larger decoder like the DH126. I used Scotch Magic Tape to hold the decoder in a more positive position so it wouldn't catch on the shell:
Here's the finished project:
Here is a board installed, as yet without decoder, in an older RTR GP38-2 chassis:
As is, this makes a DCC conversion a little easier, because it allows you to install the 90616 board and do the rewiring needed, but then test that install under DC, so you eliminate any debugging issues during the install where a wiring error might be the problem, rather than the decoder.
Here is a GP38-2 chassis with 90616 with a Digitrax DH126:
However, I found that when you add an older RTR GP38-2 body, the 90616 doesn't quite fit. I had to hog out a rebate in the shell roof weight retainer to clear the 8-pin socket:
For some reason, this isn't a problem in the latest-run GP38-2s with the 90616 installed. I also discovered that you have to be careful how you install the shell with a larger decoder like the DH126. I used Scotch Magic Tape to hold the decoder in a more positive position so it wouldn't catch on the shell:
Here's the finished project: