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Mars light help for a DH163L0

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  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Shalimar. Florida
  • 2,622 posts
Mars light help for a DH163L0
Posted by Packer on Friday, May 8, 2009 10:20 AM

I have a P2k U28B that I want to install a mars light in, but can't figure out how to do it the way I'm wanting to do it.

Since the I'm pretty sure functions 1 thru 4 are busted (it lights, but any programming to them does nothing, and they won't turn off), I'd like to know if it's possible to make it so F0R controls the mars light and only comes on when the engine is going foward. That way when the engine is in reverse, no lights come on (it's going to be consisted) and in foward both the headlight and mars light come on. If it's possible, I'd also like to use this for beacons in some of my other engines.

So is it possible to do that, and if so, how? Any help would be greatly appreciated. If not, I'll just swap decoders with one of my other engines.

While I'm at it, what type of light bulbs or LEDs are the same size (or close) to HO scale headlight housings? That'd help with putting becaons in engines with lightboards that are in the cab.

Vincent

Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....

2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, May 8, 2009 1:26 PM

 If you don't already have a copy, go to the Digitrax web site and download the full decoder manual. For starters, look to the function remapping - you can change which particular 'wire' is actually controlled by which function key. You can program the decoder so that the yellow wire is turned on and off by F1 instead of F0, for example.

 Step 2, if you haven't done so, is to downlaod a copy of the free JMRI program. Even if you have no computer interface to your DCC system, you can use DecoderPro to determine required CV values. See the post her that David Bedard made on how to do this. In short, set up your layout connection as the Loconet Simulator so the program can run, open the programmer and select your decoder, and make the changes you want. There is then a CV tab which highlights in red all teh CVs that have to be changed to the settings you selected..

                                          --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

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

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Shalimar. Florida
  • 2,622 posts
Posted by Packer on Friday, May 8, 2009 7:28 PM

Thanks for the tip on DecoderPro being able to be used without any connection to the track.

I downloaded it, and after messing with it for a few minutes, I got exactly what I wanted. Thanks for your help!!!

Vincent

Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....

2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.

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