What decoders have the proper Prime digital "Stratolight" beacon effect? From what I have tired the TCS decoders, or atleast the T1 and M series do not support this effect unfortunatly. I have Digitrax DH163 that does have one that is reasonably close to the proper "stepped" flash pattern. Does NCE, Lenz or another lower cost non sound decoder have this lighting effect? I ask, as I am equiping a sizable fleet of Burlington Northern diesels and all have the digital flasher beacon on the roof. Also, can I set the beacon on my Digitrax decoder to activate in DC analog mode? It is set up to activate on F2 as for as on and off. But when I run the unit at the local club on normaly DC the beacon stays off. Thanks in advance. Mike
LHS mechanic and geniune train and antique garden tractor nut case!
No decoder that I know of is going to have the effect you're looking for that will work on DC power.
Don't know of any that have that specified - they all have Gyralights and Mars lights. Which effect are you using ont he Digitrax that looks close? The single or the double strobe?
Older decoders had an option to set which functions are on in DC mode, but that was simply to turn lights on or off, it didn't control effects like flashers or strobes. So there's not much you can do other than enjoy the effects on your home layout. And try to convince the club to switch to DCC.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I specified the effect, Prime Stratolight digital beacon. The effect is a 4 stepped flash from bright to dim and back up to dim. My Digitrax decoder supports this, but I am not a big fan of them, they dont run well on DC analog layouts, even though they are a dual mode decoder, even the directional lights dont work on DC mode. My TCS decoders are almost totaly invisible on analog DC mode, but I cant find any that support the flash I want. The Prime beacons were used by BN, ATSF ect back in the mid 80's thru the early 90's when ditch lights came into law. The used 4 lamps that were sequenced one at a time in a rotational pattern to simulate a rotating beacon but with no motor brushes causing interferance with the EOT telematry and moving parts to wear out. Mike
Go to the TCS web site and download the variosu additional manuals - there are tons of CVs that can modify the light functions - there are two sets of on and off times for an flash effect, and with those 4 CVs you may be able to alter the effect enough to look like the Prime. The basic instructions sheets that come with TCS decoders don;t even touch the capabilities of them. There's a lot more. In fact you may even be able to get them to start adding the desired feature to the code - TCS is a small family owned business and can be very responsive.
Which effect number is that for Digitrax? I only know of (and what's in the manual) RUle 17, Mars, Pyle Gyralight, Rotary Beacon, single pulse, dual pulse, firebox flicker, plain flash, and FRED mode.