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Advanced consisting lighting help

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  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: WSOR Northern Div.
  • 1,559 posts
Posted by WSOR 3801 on Friday, September 11, 2009 1:33 AM

SeadooChooChoo

How do I set it (I believe it is CV22) so the rear light in the lead loco will NOT come on in reverse?

How do I set the lights in the 3rd loco so that headlight (facing the rear of train) will come on in reverse (should it be "dimmed" or "off" when the train is going forwards?) and the light on the back of the loco (which is facing front of train) will not come on when going forward?

 

This is the part of programming called "function mapping".  Usually I set mine so that F0 controls the front headlight, and F1 controls the rear headlight.  Digitrax are about the hardest to figure out the manuals on.  The manuals can be downloaded from here.  Remapping page here.

The rear headlight of the power lashup (the end connected to cars) can either be dim or off.  Your choice.  

If using a DT400, you can call up each engine with its 4-digit address on the left side, and turn the lights on-off as needed.  

Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 29 posts
Posted by SeadooChooChoo on Thursday, September 10, 2009 11:31 PM

SeadooChooChoo

It is a club system that I am running on.  I believe that it is basically a Digitrax Super Chief (just with a different brand booster I think).  We use Digitrax throttles & I have a DT400.

 

The Ath Genesis (lead unit) has a Digitrax 163?? decoder.

The BLI (2nd unit) has factory QSI sound.  It is fine the way I have it.  No lights in forward or reverse.  I think I just turned the lights off before I added it to the consist.

The Ath DCC Q-plug loco (trailing unit) has a Digitrax 123? decoder. 

I hope this helps.  If not, I'll be sure to jot down the exact decoders so I can provide that info.

Thanx!

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: WSOR Northern Div.
  • 1,559 posts
Posted by WSOR 3801 on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 1:53 AM

SeadooChooChoo
On another issue, the ditch lights in the Ath Genesis above don't go completely "off" when they are flashing (they flash from "dim" to "bright").  Atlas Gold Series Dash8-40CW ditch lights go completely off (they flash from "on" to "off").  How can I get the Atlas lights to flash from "dim" to "bright" instead of flashing completely "on" to "off"?  I think that having the ditch lights only go dim instead of completely off is more prototypical (yes or no?). 

 

Flashing ditch lights turn the light completely off.  However, it is a fairly big bulb (250 watts, either 32 or 75 volts) and it takes a while for it to go completely dark.  The end result is that before the bulb goes out all the way, it gets turned back on again for the flash.  

I'm pretty sure Atlas uses LEDs for the ditch lights, while Athearn uses bulbs.  The Athearn might go out completely, but it might not get all the way dark before the next pulse hits.  It may depend on the decoder you are using.  

Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 29 posts
Posted by SeadooChooChoo on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 7:35 PM

It is a club system that I am running on.  I believe that it is basically a Digitrax Super Chief (just with a different brand booster I think).  We use Digitrax throttles & I have a DT400.

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Trois-Rivieres Quebec Canada
  • 1,063 posts
Posted by jalajoie on Saturday, September 5, 2009 9:57 AM

wholeman

I posted a similar question months ago.

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/155034/1713477.aspx#1713477

On the ditch light issue, I would consult the decoder's manual or website.

What was the outcome?

Jack W.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Trois-Rivieres Quebec Canada
  • 1,063 posts
Posted by jalajoie on Saturday, September 5, 2009 9:56 AM

SeadooChooChoo, 

What is your DCC system?

Jack W.

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Southeast Kansas
  • 1,329 posts
Posted by wholeman on Saturday, September 5, 2009 1:08 AM

I posted a similar question months ago.

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/155034/1713477.aspx#1713477

On the ditch light issue, I would consult the decoder's manual or website.

Will

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 29 posts
Advanced consisting lighting help
Posted by SeadooChooChoo on Saturday, September 5, 2009 1:04 AM

I'm trying to make an Advanced Consist & need a little help.  Lead unit is Ath Genesis (no sound) w/ ditch lights (facing forward).  Second unit is BLI AC6000 w/ sound (facing backwards).  Third unit is Ath "DCC Quick-plug" loco w/ Digitrax (no sound & facing backwards).  I have them pretty closely speed matched.  I used Advanced Consist & set CV19=70/198/198.  I changed CV21 in BLI loco so that bell & horn are activated by consist address.  So I now have ditch lights & sound (I think I can figure out how to activate the other sounds on that loco).  So far, so good. 

How do I set it (I believe it is CV22) so the rear light in the lead loco will NOT come on in reverse?

How do I set the lights in the 3rd loco so that headlight (facing the rear of train) will come on in reverse (should it be "dimmed" or "off" when the train is going forwards?) and the light on the back of the loco (which is facing front of train) will not come on when going forward?

  

On another issue, the ditch lights in the Ath Genesis above don't go completely "off" when they are flashing (they flash from "dim" to "bright").  Atlas Gold Series Dash8-40CW ditch lights go completely off (they flash from "on" to "off").  How can I get the Atlas lights to flash from "dim" to "bright" instead of flashing completely "on" to "off"?  I think that having the ditch lights only go dim instead of completely off is more prototypical (yes or no?). 

 

Thanks for any help!

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