I'm using Digitrax to run my layout. I have two Athearn MP15ACs which I use as my road power. I've set them up to run back to back (or front to front as the case may be). The only problem is the headlights! They come on on both locomotives in the direction the consist is travelling.
Since I run them back to back nearly all of the time, what I would like to do is disable the rear headllight of each unit without cutting any wires. That way only the front light would light and then only when it the consist was travelling in the appropriate direction.
I've tried to find the info in the Digitrax manual, but except for the "quick start" section, it is apparent (to me at least) that the manual was written for programmers, not model railroaders!
Thanks in advance for any and all help!
-Kosmo
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
Just an educated gues but you probably need to program the decoders for some form of consist lighting. Try looking in the instructions for the decoders.
Good luck!
Sounds good. I use DH123 and they only come with a single page of instructions...
I noticed you hail from Sedro Wooley! I used to live in Oak Harbor (USNret) and was a member of the Whidbey Island Model Railroad Club!
Thanx,
Try this link: http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/decodermanual.pdf
PA&ERR I'm using Digitrax to run my layout. I have two Athearn MP15ACs which I use as my road power. I've set them up to run back to back (or front to front as the case may be). The only problem is the headlights! They come on on both locomotives in the direction the consist is travelling. Since I run them back to back nearly all of the time, what I would like to do is disable the rear headllight of each unit without cutting any wires. That way only the front light would light and then only when it the consist was travelling in the appropriate direction.
What I normally do with a Digitrax decoder is to disable directionnal lighting and I leave the front headlight to F0 and map the rear one to F1. This way I can toggle both headlight On and Off at will.
To do it first set CV34=0 default is 2
and set CV35=2 default is 4
Jack W.
Digitrax instructions are so vague (or nonexistent) it's almost a matter of trial-and-error with CV 49 and 50 to get what you want. I generally put in 104 and 120 in CV 49 and 50, this causes both lights to be on but the one in the direction of travel is bright and the other is dimmed. Since CV 49 affects the front headlight you could use 104 to set that up to be bright in the direction of travel and dim when in reverse, and by testing numbers find out for CV 50 that would either turn them off either direction or (more realistically) be dim all the time.
wjstix Digitrax instructions are so vague (or nonexistent) it's almost a matter of trial-and-error with CV 49 and 50 to get what you want. I generally put in 104 and 120 in CV 49 and 50, this causes both lights to be on but the one in the direction of travel is bright and the other is dimmed. Since CV 49 affects the front headlight you could use 104 to set that up to be bright in the direction of travel and dim when in reverse, and by testing numbers find out for CV 50 that would either turn them off either direction or (more realistically) be dim all the time.
This is where JMRI comes to the rescue.
What you are suggesting is rule 17 lighting, I think it is not what the OP wants to achieve. Unfortunately with Digitrax decoders one can't have Rule 17 and independent control of lights at the same time. This is why I now install TCS decoders only.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions and comments! I'll fiddle with it and let you all know what I come up with.
I wasn't trying to emulate Rule 17. I like the directional aspect to the lighting in that it gives the operator a visual indication of which way the engine is going to move without having to look at the throttle. Not very prototypical to be sure, but practical!
Again, thanx!
I also run switchers and road diesels like that also. I remap the rear light to F1 and keep the headlight as F0. I have several switcher pairs that are addressed alike. With the TCS decoders in them they are set up to run F0 headlight bright in forward and dim in reverse and stopped and the cab lights are mapped to F1. These are run long hood forward so they would be cab to cab connected.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!