Need help with simple CV change to Digitrax DZ123

[Gerome]

I have never used a Digitrax decoder before.  I used several other brands, and I sure am glad after a look at the needlessly complex manual for Digitrax.

I have installed a DZ123 in a switcher. The motor wires are reversed, so I set CV29 to run the loco in reverse. No problem so far. Now what I always do in this instance, is reverse the lighting.

I need to set a CV to have the rear (yellow wire) light come on in forward, and the front (white wire) come on in reverse.

Or if need be, just have both lights on regardless of direction of travel.

I would also like a to be able to dim them, but I don't really care.

Digitrax is the only manual I have come across that makes this process a bizarre mystery.  I suppose I could enter the same CV values that I use for NCE decoders, but there is no telling if they match so I don't want to mess up the decoder.

I would be grateful for any help from out there. Thank you.  I also have this ques. posted in the Digitrax Yahoo group but thought someone in my favorite forum might be familiar with this decoder.

[rolleiman]

You're right.. The Digitrax manuals are sometimes a painful read.. Which is why I avoid reading them at most costs (just give me the CV table and I'll figure out the rest)... That said, I cannot help with a specific answer other than to suggest writing to Digitrax.

From there, why not just switch the motor leads and have everything proper instead of playing with reversing CVs?? Certainly seems easier to me than looking for the needle in a haystack.

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

why not just switch the motor leads and have everything proper instead of playing with reversing CVs?? Certainly seems easier to me than looking for the needle in a haystack.

Same here. Just reverse the motor wires and be done with it.

[CSX Robert]

CV 33=2

CV 34=1

David B

He's right, and here's a little more information. The default setting is for the lights to be directional, of course since you have the motor leads reversed, they will not match the direction of travel. To fix this you have to remap the forward and rear headlights. Look up "Function Remapping" in the decoder manual index and it will point you to page 50. There is a chart that shows you what CV to use for each funtion and what value to program for each decoder output. Programming CV33 to 2 and CV34 to 1 remaps the forward headlight to the yellow output and the rear headlight to the white output.

[jasperofzeal]

I was going to suggest that the OP should read this tutorial that David B wrote.  Is there a reason you deleted all the info on said tutorial, David?  I found it pretty helpful.

[Gerome]

From there, why not just switch the motor leads and have everything proper instead of playing with reversing CVs?? Certainly seems easier to me than looking for the needle in a haystack.

Well yes, that is what I used to do.  Then I realized on those occasions in which I reverse the wires, it is easier to just reset two CVs at the same time I am entering the converted DCC loco's new address.  That is why CV29=35 was probably invented....at least Soundtraxx thinks so.

BTW, is there a quick way to tell which motor lead is + and which is - ? I don't see a real pattern to top and bottom wires, and I think I have even had motor leads with reversed color leads too.

Thanks for the answers everyone.

[CSX Robert]

The orange decoder wire should go to the motor brush that was attached to the right rail pickup and the gray decoder wire should go to the motor brush that was attached to the left rail pickup.

[Trax21]

I need to set a CV to have the rear (yellow wire) light come on in forward, and the front (white wire) come on in reverse.

 

I just installed two of those decoders actually. The simple way I could see to do it would be simply reverse the yellow and white wire. Just my 

[Gerome]

The orange decoder wire should go to the motor brush that was attached to the right rail pickup and the gray decoder wire should go to the motor brush that was attached to the left rail pickup.

Thanks, CSX Robert. 

Of course! 

As usual I seem to let others do the thinking for me.  Duh