Randy,
The LED works as I have the resistor installed and I just ended up touching each end to the track and both lit up. I attached the LEDS to the decoder as per the way they are hooked up on a A4x decoder.
Barry
If they are LEDs, you might just have them backwards. LEDs are polarity sensitive. And also make sure the lighting CVs are set as per the basic setup sheet for simple directional lighting. Also take your LED and resistor and try it on a 9V battery to make sure the LED is good. If you tried an LED without a resistor, it's almost certainly blown.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy (rrinker),
I have installed my lights to the two center terminals of each end of this decoder but I have no light function in either forward or reverse. I am beginning to think maybe the light function of the decoder is bad, motor function works very well. I am thinking I may need to replace the A1 decoder.
I used the same decoder in one of those locos, the older Kato version. Since the light pipes include the headlight lenses, what I did was cut the pipes back to just past the first mounting tab at the ends of the hoods. I used some really fine sandpaper to polish the cut end, and used various sizes of shrink tube to attach a golden-white LED to each piece of light pipe. Connect the LEDs to teh center end terminals on the decoder with a 1K resistor on each one. I glued the light pipes in place with a small dab of white glue - caulk would work as well.
Hi all,
Super thanks for the answers.I knew I could count on this place for the best results to a model railroad question.
I knew it was an earlier type of decoder that drops in a Atlas locomotive.
The decoder works very well in my RSD 4/5 it is installed in. Smooth and very slow running on the lower speed steps. Don't see any reason to replace it.
I just want to make sure I wire the lights in right.
Thanks all, your the best.
Pete is correct, it was only after the X-series features were added that any of the TCS decoders had resistors or a current limited connection built in. But all X series decoders do not have resistors. Full information is on the TCS web site and you can see which decoders have resistors and which don't. Those that do also have a non-limited output so if you already have a loco with resistors and replace the decoder you don't have to rewire the lights, you can keep using the resistors.
The A1 is a very early TCS decoder. There are NO resistors on board. If you use LEDs then 1K 1/4 watt resistors are required. 1.5 volt bulbs will take less resistance for good lighting. The CVs for controlling the lights has not changed. CV49 for head light and CV50 for rear light. There is no X series lighting on the A1 so all you will have is on/off and direction. Motor control is quiet but very rudimentary. There is no Dither for slow speed control so all you have is CV2 through CV6. I just bought some T1x decoders online for $19.95 each with harnesses. The A4x was advertised at $24.00. If it were mine I would update the decoder at the same time.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
October 2002 doesn't sound new to me.
Peter
Tony's Train Exchange has information on his web site about the new TCS A1 decoder, but they make no mention of resistors on the board for LED lighting --
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/2002/101802.htm
You can send an e-mail to TCS and they should respond within a couple of days.
Maybe a few questions about the A1 decoder will wake up the people at TCS and they'll post the appropriate documentation
I have a locomotive that has a TCS A1 decoder installed and the previous owner did not install any lights.
I checked with TCS and they have no manuals for this decoder. I have a manual for the A4X and it says the decoder has resistors built-in for LED lights and would not need any resistors.
I wonder if someone out there can answer whether the A1 decoder has the built-in resistors and not need to use resistors for the LED's.
Thanks in advance,