Digitrax Decoder Wiring for prototypical F40ph effects, Need Help

[rrinker]

Yup.

The programming example given in the various Digitrax instructions are for alternating ditch lights controlled by F2 with the right light hooked to F1 and the left light on F2. You will also need to set CV62 fo 4, for use with LEDs - even so, the effects will be good but not great, Digitrax decoders don;t work really well with LEDs when it comes to flashing and blinking effects.

                   --Randy

 

[Riley0311]

Thanks for the clearing that up. I will just install the ditch lights on the F1 and F2 functions to achieve the alternating flashing.

Just to be clear I should solder the positive lead of the led with a 1k ohm resistor to the F1+ and negative lead to the F1 tab for the left side and repeat the same for the right side?

Then program the decoder to achieve the lighting effect.

Thanx

[rrinker]

 The bottom line is that the decoder does not have enouhg function outputs for all those lights. F1 and F1+ are the F1 output, F2 and F2+ are the F2 output, plus you have the headlight and rear light functions, total of 4. You need 2 more for the becaon and Mars light. You can add a function-only decoder to add more functions, but have the complication of a dual decoder setup, not to mention eating up speaker space. Or you could go with a Loksound decoder with 6 function outputs.

 For wiring small surface mount LEDs, Ulrich has a nifty little circuit board to contain the resistors which makes for a neat and clean install without trying to install resistors in series with the fine wires on the LEDs. Normally a 1K resistor is used but those micro LEDs tend to be bright so a 2.2K resisotr might be a better option.

          --Randy

[Riley0311]

Randy,

I've got the same situation going on with this digitrax board and can really use some clarification before I begin. 

I have all the LEDs mounted in each position in the Kato F40ph and know they all work and will function correctly.

According to the post you mentioned they are stating:

> I have a SDH164K1C and I want to wire lighting effects, a pair of roof top strobe lights.
> Where on this board do I access the light function outputs and the blue+ lighting common?
> This board has a JST connector with 10 wires on it. 2 for speaker, 2 for capacitor, I assume 2 for chuff sensor if used. What are the other wires for?
> Thanks

Their reply:

There are four small solder pads on the front corners of the decoder. 
They are the F1 and F1+ on the left side of the LED and F2 and F2+ on
the right side of the LED.  F1 and F2 are the two corner pads (one at
each corner).  There are no other function outputs on that decoder.  You
can map F1 and F2 to F3 and F4 since F1 is the bell and F2 is the horn. 
To map F1 to F3 you would give CV37 a value of 004 and To map F2 to F4
you give CV38 a value of 001.  That should work.  See mapping/function
remapping in the Digitrax Mobile Decoder Manual.

I want to accomplish with the functions:

Alternating Ditch lights: (left LED solder to F1 and Right LED solder to F2 tabs)

Beacon light: (Do i solder to F1+ tab?)

Gyralight: (Do I solder to F2+ tab?)

Would I connect the other side of the wire of the LEDs to the blue wire?

The other lighting functions ( Headlight LED, Reverse Red and White LED's) should still function in the original programing manor correct?

Last question, I am using micro chip LED's and will I need to install resistors, if so which would be recommended since those seem to be 12v to my knowledge?

Thank for for the help on the technical details!

Aaron

[rrinker]

This post should help:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/p/211612/2320544.aspx#2320544

Use the F0F for the headlight and F0R for the red lights.

Which you use for the rest really doesn;t matter, it will affect exactly what CVs get set for the desired effect, but that's it. Function remapping will also be your friend, as the 'standard' function buttons will overlap the sounds. You'll probably want the ditch lights on F2 so they are on and flash when the horn is sounded, but it's kind of silly to have an air letoff or dynamic brake sound go off when you turn the beacon on and off.

If you check out the Yahoo Group Digitraxsound you will find an alternative sound project for the Digitrax decoders that properly does the HEP and stuff. Much better wuality sounds than the original sound file. The one in question may actually be in the Sound Depot by now, some of the custom sound makers were starting to put their files there at the request of Digitrax.

                      --Randy

[Riley0311]

Hello Model Railroaders,

I have a SDH164K1C 1 and a Kato Metra F40ph. I currently have the decoder installed and working and I have installed lighting into each of the prototypical locations of the locomotive for full function effects. Can someone help me correctly wire the decoder to the installed microchip LEDs to achieve the following effects:

• Forward Operation:
Beacon Light
Mars Light
Headlight
Constant ditch lights and alternating ditch lights

• Reverse Operation:
Red reverse lights

I am confident with soldering skills but just need some assistance with wiring locations to the circuit board and to the wiring harness to control the listed effects.  

Thanks for the help in advance!

Regards,

Aaron F.

Chicago