Randy
friends were over running trains the other night and I was checking status of my threads. Well He wrote that about MRC. I have used MRC before it's OK . When we used DC MRC was top of the line and still is as far as I'm concerned for DC transformers. Thanks for the input. I had to hard wire purple and green leads. challenging to say the least.
NickyB
I KNOW it's a Digitrax decoder. The issue is in figuring out the programming, which is SIMPLE with JMRI. The MRC mention comes up because you cannot use JMRI with MRC.
This is getting way off topic. If anyone bothered to read, I DID explain how to figure out what values to use for the FX3 CVs in the first part of my post, THEN mentioned that all that is moot if you give JMRI a try. I ALSO mentioned how you cna use JMRI even withotu a computer interface (or thus with MRC systems) to calculate the values for CVs which you then program using the usual method. It's just a lot easier if you can hit the WRITE button in JMRI and let it set the decoder for you.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
just for those who find this and asking themselves what this is about: no, not MRC, FX3 and the mentioned decoder (DH165Q1) are Digitrax products
see also http://www.digitrax.com/products/attributes/fx3/
edit: note that FX3 does not include CV53 to CV56, but CV 113 to CV116 instead (in addition to CV49 to CV52). If you mix those (FX vs. FX3) not all does work as intended. The dec (DH165Q1) has FX3!
Huh?
I only said that because the MRC system cannot interface to JMRI which woudl compeltely simplify these issues you are having in programming. For this reason alone I woudl never recommend an MRC system to anyone. And the MRC software does not have decoder definitions like JMRI that relate complicated CVs to simple drop down menus.
This I think is a pretty legitimate reason to dislike MRC's DCC systems, vs just saying "MRC stinks".
BY ALL MEANS WHO EVER USES MRC. SHOULD GET THE TROUBLE THE DESERVE. MRC is like KFC. Except MRC stands for Model Rail Crap.. Good Transformers and that's it. Thats all I have to say about that.
The example in the manual for ditch lights is the exact values you need, assumign the ditch lights are connected to the same functions (F1 and F2).
Numbers seem just made up at random, right? This is where knowign hex really DOES matter, and makes it SO much easier. If you look in the decoder manual starting on page 41 (current version as posted ont he Digitrax web site) you will see the first of 2 tables that define what the FX3 functions do.
FOrget hex, just look at the table. They probably shoudl swap the tables aroundm sinc ethe first table is the secodn digit, but still, look at whatit shows. xA for right fditch light, xB for left ditch light.
Then look at the second table. 6x = special logic for forwad ditch light.
Put the two together. 6A for the right ditch light, 6B for the left ditch light.
Go down to the diagram of wiring ditch lights on page 43. See the values being used for CV51 (F1) and CV52 (F2)? 6A and 6B. There's a chart at the ned of the manual or you cna just use the Windows calculator in Programmer mode to figure out what the decimal valiues for 6A and 6B are, although in this case they are already listed - 106 and 107.
OR
(please tell me you are NOT using an MRC DCC system)
Get a suitable computer interface for your DCC system, and download free JMRI and use the DecoderPro component to set this stuff without needing the manuals. Select drop downa dnd check boxes for the operation you want, and JMRI handles figuring out what CVs need to be set with what values. Easiest possible method.
You cna still use JMRI without an interface, there is a tab on each decoder setting that shows what CVs will be changed when you make a selection, highlighted in red. You cna look at this and set the CVs by hand using the values shown, although it is much easier to just interface it and let JMRI do the programming too.
Can anyone explain how to change FX3 CV's like cv49 - cv56. for lights, ditch lights and number board lights. I am using a DH165Q1 decoder. Read instructions and really don't understand clearly.
Any kind of help would be great.