I have an HO Kato SD40-2 that I am unable to get the ditch lights to work at all, neither on constantly nor oscillating. Tech support at S/Traxx says it is not possible to do with this decoder and engine. Has anybody been able to solve this dilemma ? Thanks in advance if you reply to this request. Murray
Question #1 - Have you read the manual that came with the decoder??
Question #2 - Have you checked the Soundtraxx website??
You should be able to find your answer in one of those two locations.
Not possible, the tech is right. If you look at the spec sheet, the DSD-101LC has but 2 functions, headlight and backup light. You need at least 4 functions to have front and rear lights plus flashign ditch lights.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
The "LC" in the DSD-100LC decoder designation stands for "LOW COST." In order to sell at low cost, ditch light functions were not included. As the old saw goes, "You get what you pay for."
The most you can hope to do with that decoder is to wire the ditch light bulb(s) to the headlight output so they turn on and off with the headlight, but there's no way to make them flash. And if the total current draw of 3 bulbs is more than the decoder's current rating on the headlight function, you can't do that, either.
It might be possible to use the backup light output for ditch lights, and remap it to some other key. But that might draw current on the same circuit as the front headlight. Just a thought.
I hate to disagree (not really) with my fellow forumites, but the User manual for the DSD-LC decoders indicates that it is possible and explains in depth how to do it. The OP must have lost his manual because it is quite easy to find it in the manual. The DSD-100LC has only basic light functions, but the 101LC may have the extended function capability. Actually, I've not heard of a 101LC.
Read, please: {url]http://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/lc/dsd101lc%20data%20sheet.pdf{/url]
Straight from the Soundtraxx web site. Their page on the DSD-101LC is the very first hit if you type DSD-101LC in Google. This stuff's not to hard, folks.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals/lc_manual.pdf
See pages 25-27