Greetings,I recently installed a TCS M1P-1" decoder into a Stewart VO-660 switcher with the following values:
The issue I'm running into is that the leading LED headlight comes on fully whenever the locomotive is moving in either direction but the opposing LED pulsates when dimmed. This is also the case when the locomotive comes to a complete stop and both LEDs automatically dim.
This has happened with two separte but identical decoders on the same locomotive. Is this somehow related to the BEMF being activated on CV61? I have not seen this phenomenon using any other TCS decoder I have.
Thanks for the help...
Tom
[Oops! Meant to place this in the "Electronics and DCC" forum - Sorry.]
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I'd suggest trying 3 or 4 for CV64, LED's don;t really 'dim' so all it does is turn the LED on and off really fast. Nore off = dimmer, but more chane of seeing the flicker. These LEDs may have slightly different characteristics than ones you've used in the past, so they need slightly different values.
Also, if you look at the comprehensive manual, http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Technical_Info/Tech_Manuals/Comprehensive%20Programming%20Guide.pdf
It appears each function can be set to its own dim value, looks like CV64 just sets them all to whatever you put there, but there's a dedicated dim level setting for each function. There are, in fact, a LOT of things TCS decoders can set that aren;t mentioned in the simple getting started instruction sheet that comes with the decoders.
--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,
Thanks for the link to the Comprehensive Programming Guide. I actually printed that out last week.
I'll try the higher values for CV64 but, IIRC, even a value as high as "6" still pulsated.
There's some other stuff for pulse frequency listed in the comprehensive guide, although that may only be for effects like the mars and strobe lights, I forget. I thought there was a seperate document just on all the lighting stuff too. It's almost crazy how many settings there are (luckily that don't need to be touched except in special cases) - I don;t think all of it is even in the JMRI definitions for TCS decoders.
Do you have a DCC system that allows you to run DC locomotives? If so, make sure the DC locomotive is set to 0 speed and see if that makes a difference. I have noticed that when using zero-stretching(the method used for running a DC locomotive on DCC), dimmed lights on TCS decoders will sometimes flicker noticeably.
Robert,
I have an NCE Power Cab so - no, it doesn't allow me to run a locomotive on DC. I do still have an MRC power pack that I could connect to a piece of spare track.
I've installed three TCS decoders recently in three separate locomotives: An M1P-1" (Stewart VO-660), an LL8-LED (IM F3), and a A4X (Proto 2000 0-8-0). Only the A4X has exhibited the flickering issue. I also have the M1P-1" programmed with the same dimming CVs as the A4X and it doesn't flicker at all.
Tom,
How much resistance do you have in-line with the offending LEDs? If you have a little too much, it's possible that is taking the normally unseen variation that dimmed LEDs have at lower voltages and making it visible as flicker.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Mike,
1K resistors for both front and rear headlights, which are on the light board that came with the locomotive.
OK, well that's not it.
I'm an extremist when it comes to resisters for LEDs and sometimes end up with a few thousand ohms, so was thinking maybe someone else likes them dim like I do and over did it.
Make sure the Bowser boards do not have caps on them. You may have to bypass the plug and wire the blue, white and yellow wires directly to the LEDs through a 1K resistor.
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!
Hmm, now this makes me want to get out my other Baldwin, the one without sound, it has a T1 in it, and while I replaced the factory yellow LEDs with golden-white, all I did was bend the leads of the new LEDs to match the patter of the old ones, and put them in place - still contacting the strips off the factory board, thus using whatever factory electronics are there. I don't recall mine visibly blining when dimmed, and I think I actually set that one to reverse dim and dim when stopped, which is not correct after I found an employee rulebook, so I will change it.
That's exactly what I did, Randy. I replaced the LEDs with Yeloglo LEDs and used the copper strips that are on the light board to make contact with the LEDs.
So, what is the proper lighting effect for a Baldwin VO-660? Is it also the same for a VO-1000?
Well, proper lighting can vary by railroad. Typically it's found under Rule 17 (some rule numbers/letters are standardised) which is why the effect for opposite dim and dim when stopped is usually called "Rule 17" lighting on decoders. But the rules have evolved over time, in fact I have to check but it will actually depend on exactly which year I pick to be my modeled year, because right around the time I model, they changed from not turning on headlights at all during the day to having them on. Some switcher rules were exactly what I set, other times it was dim always, or no lights in daylight, or always bright both directions, etc. The other thing is the the dim when stopped aspect usually applies only when there is an oncoming train (kinda like cars, no bright lights int he face of the oncoming driver). ALl the automatic stuff really is unrealistic, real locos don;t automatically change the lights, if you've seen cab pics, there are usually two knobs, one for the front light and one for the back light, with off-dim-on settings. Want to reverse the headlights? Turn the front one to off, turnt he rear one to on. Doesn;t happen just because the reverser handle was moved. Most decoders off that as an option, sucks up a total of 4 function keys though, 1 each for the on/off and 1 each for the bright/dim, for totally independent control of the lights per prototype. Then you cna randomly have an officer catch some engineer not following the rules and issue demerits.
Checked the rulebook, yard switchers are covered in Rule 18, not Rule 17. Yard switchers will show a light front and year by night. A white light will be used in the event there is no rear headlight. The light against coupled cars may be extinguished. Nothing about dimming or anything.
I'm assuming you double-checked that the CV that controls the setting for like Mars lights / Gyra lights isn't set to a value that would cause the light to flicker or pulse under certain situations??