2FX vs. 4FX

[loathar]

I want my locos to have front/rear head lights and front operating ditch lights. Can this be done with a 2FX or do I need 4? Specifically looking at TCS decoders.

[mfm37]

You will need a four function decoder. One for front H/L, One for rear H/L, one for left ditch light, one for right ditch light.

You can't program the same function to do two things. You can hook up two or more function wires to the same light so that a single bulb can do different effects

[loathar]

Thanks.I didn't realize ditch lights would take 2 functions themselves.
So I guess the locos I see with working # boards, beacon lights and other lighting effects are all 6FX decoders.

[WSOR 3801]

 You would need at least 3 functions:

Front headlight

Rear headlight

Front ditch lights (both can go on one function, if they don't need to flash)

Not all roads have flashing ditch lights.  

If it is a switching type engine, or one that runs backwards for half its use, rear ditch lights are nice to have.  Otherwise, you should slow to 20 mph over public grade crossings.

If you want to add number board lights and a beacon, you would need the 6 function decoder. 

What is the decoder going into?  If using 1.5 volt bulbs, the A6X would be the hot setup, already set up for those bulbs.  

[locoi1sa]

 If you want more functions you can piggy back an FL2 or an FL4 function only decoder. They are super small and fit just about any where. I am in the process of putting an FL4 decoder in my gravel plant so I can use my throttle to turn the load signal lights on and off while switching it. A future project is an FL2 decoder for my scale track for the stop lights. The TCS FL2 and FL4 have the same great lighting FX that their motor decoders have. A friend of mine has a SD45 with a Tsunami and FL4 decoder with ditch lights front and back and number boards, and beacon. And cant forget the rear marker lights.

    Pete

[loathar]

What I'm trying to do is standardize my decoders. I was looking at the NCE's, but then I read about how well the TCS with BEMF work and will probably go with those.  I can probably use the T4X and T6X as standards for most of my fleet. I guess I'd rather pay an extra couple of dollars and have more functions than I need in case I want to add lights later. Just wasn't sure how many functions I actually needed.

Thanks!

[rrinker]

 I am a big fan of the low-cost NCE decoders, they do indeed work very well, but now I am using the TCS for the BEMF. The D13SRJ decoders have enough functions to run ditch lights (good deal for $12 each), for flashign ditch lights in a TCS decoder you need at least the T4. Theother nice thing about the TCS deocders is they have a variety of adjustments and can do 'flashing' effects like beacons and Mars lights very effectively with bulbs or LEDs. With a lot of decoders, the effects don;t work very well with LEDs.

 

                                        --Randy