After several hours of reading the digitrax manual and attempting every suggestion listed here, nothing worked. I went back to "basics" and had decoder pro read the decoder again and tell me what type and model number I have installed on this used RS-3 locomotive.
For some reason that I simply can't explain, this time decoder pro told me that I have a TCS decoder installed and NOT a Digitrax DH163A0. I went to the TCS web site and saw that inorder to reset their decoders to factory reset, you need to enter 2 into CV8. This would explain why entering 8 into CV8 wasn't working.
Once I had the decoder reset, I went and reprogrammed it (again using decoder pro) and now low and behold, the headlights work as they should.
I wanted to come back and thank everyone who attempted to give me helpful advice here. Due to some reason that again, I simply can't explain, decoder pro thought I had a Digitrax decoder installed. All of the advice I received simply did not work on a TCS decoder.
In the end though, Its all good and all is right in my model railroad world again....LOL
Michael
I'll ask the obvious stupid question first: Are you sure it has TWO bulbs? The older Kato-built RS3's have only a single bulb in the middle with light pipes to the ends of the hoods. A basic install of a decoder in one used the original bulb - in the middle of the loco, and with it connected to F0F, so with default decoder programming, it will light up when in forward nad turn off in reverse.
If it really does have 2 seperate bulbs, reset the decode by setting CV8=8. Then reprogram your address, since the reset will make it 3. Default operation is simple directional headlights, you only need to program anythign if you want Rule 17 or other lighting features.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Look again at pages 35 and 36 of the Decoder Manual -- light configuration uses two digits, not one. Having CVs 49 and 50 set to zero has all functions turned off.
Directional lighting is not prototypical. Real trains don't turn off their headlights when backing up, but the engineer may dim the headlight. That's Rule 17 lighting.
Note, too, that the values in the manual are in Hex notation. For Decoder Pro you need to convert these numbers to decimal.
Thank you for your quick responce.
I have read up in the Digitrax Manual, both CV 49 and 50 are reading a value of 0 as they should. Decoder pro confirms this. I am also running the most current version of decoder pro version 2.8
I'll tale a look at the mobile decoder manual but I thought with factory light bulbs, it didn't matter what color wire goes where as long as the middle two tabs on each end of the decoder were used. I understand that with LED's its different.
CVs 49 and 50 govern how the lights function. If you don't already have it, go to the Digitrax web site and download their Mobile Decoder User Manual, which explains all of the light configurations available with Digitrax decoders.
You also need to insure that you have the latest version of Decoder Pro decoder definition files by updating your computer software.
It's also possible that the person who installed the decoder did not wire the lights correctly. The Mobile Decoder User Manual shows you how they should be wired.
I have an Atlas RS-3 with a Digitrax DH163AO decoder in it that I bought second hand from Ebay. The locomotive works great with the exception of the lights. When in FWD, both the front and rear head lights come on. When in Reverse, both lights go off.
I'm using decoder pro and the engine still has the factory 14V bulbs
anyone have any suggestions?