Kato "DCC Friendly" Database

[Mlminto]

On 10/5/2018 at 3:05 PM, EdF said:

New DCC Friendly list for Kato.

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qRGTOaq-4F89xph3ZxL5iKxM5jptkeoNw77t3X-STY4/edit?usp=drivesdk

 

If you have new data or updates, please reply here and I will incorporate the changes

 

Please keep replies to just updates, if you have installation issues/questions, please start a thread for that model.

 

Thanks, Ed

Wanted to add a locomotive, info directly from Digitrax Technical Support a couple of weeks ago:

 

Kato 3093-3 Electric Locomotive EF61 (Brown) used Digitrax DN163K4A.  I recently purchase both, and will post my experience with them when I get the chance.

 

Mike

 

[Mlminto]

On 10/5/2018 at 3:05 PM, EdF said:

New DCC Friendly list for Kato.

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qRGTOaq-4F89xph3ZxL5iKxM5jptkeoNw77t3X-STY4/edit?usp=drivesdk

 

If you have new data or updates, please reply here and I will incorporate the changes

 

Please keep replies to just updates, if you have installation issues/questions, please start a thread for that model.

 

Thanks, Ed

Here's another - I just installed a Digitrax DN163K1D into my Kato DD51; not too hard, their instructions missed a small step or two; my biggest issue is that I had to remove the clear plastic that leads to the headlights (is that a "lightpipe"? - I'm new at model railroad) to get one side of the body back on - the decoder is longer than the stock one.  Don't know if, or how, it will affect the headlights on that side, we'll see.  Also, after reinstalling the plastic body, the "center cab" piece is loose.  Shouldn't pose much of a problem, I'm thinking.  Anyway, there it is.

 

Mike

 

Edited December 15, 2022 by Mlminto

[katoftw]

1 hour ago, Mlminto said:

Here's another - I just installed a Digitrax DN163K1D into my Kato DD51; not too hard, their instructions missed a small step or two; my biggest issue is that I had to remove the clear plastic that leads to the headlights (is that a "lightpipe"? - I'm new at model railroad) to get one side of the body back on - the decoder is longer than the stock one.  Don't know if, or how, it will affect the headlights on that side, we'll see.  Also, after reinstalling the plastic body, the "center cab" piece is loose.  Shouldn't pose much of a problem, I'm thinking.  Anyway, there it is.

 

Mike

 

Means you used the wrong decoder.  As the DD51s have two different lightpipes depending on the version.  The decoders have the leds in different locations on the light boards to accomodate for this.  There should be no reason to remove the lightpipes.

 

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10764391

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10756613

 

Not digitrax, but these links should the difference in the boards.

Edited December 15, 2022 by katoftw

[Mlminto]

3 hours ago, katoftw said:

Means you used the wrong decoder.  As the DD51s have two different lightpipes depending on the version.  The decoders have the leds in different locations on the light boards to accomodate for this.  There should be no reason to remove the lightpipes.

 

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10764391

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10756613

 

Not digitrax, but these links should the difference in the boards.

Maybe, but Digitrax posted this page:  https://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB124/kato-dd51-installation-of-dn163k1d/ showing the decoder I'm talking about.  Mike

[chadbag]

I don't know about Digitrax but TCS makes different variants of the same basic decoder board with different LED configs etc.  You can also modify different ones depending on whether they use separate LED on legs or SMD LED or whatever.  For example ones with legs you can take of, cut legs, and solder back on if you need them shorter...  I am not familiar with the DD51 as I have not tried to add decoders to  my DD51 yet.  But some of the other Japanese locos from KATO I had to change LED configs on the decoder compared to stock as they used different variants of the same basic KATO lightboards.

 

Edited January 20 by chadbag

[chadbag]

Just remember that while a Digitrax decoder may fit (same shape as a light board replacement), you sometimes have to modify the LEDs.  This just comes with the territory.