Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

TCS decoder problems

1004 views
2 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2008
  • 1 posts
TCS decoder problems
Posted by jim65 on Monday, October 13, 2008 9:54 AM
I am having problems getting the TCS decoder to send power to the lights (headlight and rear light) on my loco. Does anyone have any idea how to turn them on. I believe that the CVs are correct CV 49 at 0 and CV 50 at 16 but the lights are not on. I have a digitrax chief with 101 controller. I am using function 0 to turn the lights on and off. That works with digitrax decoders, but maybe not with CTS. ANY SUGGESTIONS?
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Monday, October 13, 2008 11:12 AM

 Do you have light bulbs or LEDs connected? If bulbs, what voltage are they rated for, and do you know for sure they are good? If LEDs - what resistor do you have with them? Are they connected backwards?

 You can reset the decoder to default settings by setting CV30 = 2. That will reset all function control and reset the address to 03 - try that and see if it operates correctly on address 3 and if the lights work then.

 If reset fails and you know the lights work otherwise, check you wiring to make sure everything is solidly connected. If that's all good then you might have a bad decoder, TCS has a good warranty, they will replace it even if you make a mistake while installing it.

 

                    --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!