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TCS T1 decoder

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  • Member since
    September 2014
  • 200 posts
TCS T1 decoder
Posted by jwar41 on Sunday, October 12, 2014 5:45 PM

Is it possable to cut the green and purple wire at the 8 pin, then use these wires out of the decoder for a alternating ditch lights with the leds and resistors.

Anyhow trying to use a Kato SD70 mac with the original board and go around the board by going directly to the decoder, may have to get a different setup. I cut the clear plastic light bars and heat shrinked leds to both of them, leds work, check decoader with a ESU decoder tester 

Ditch lights dont work, set to TCS comprahensive manual and have a digatrax 50 with a 402R,  

 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Sunday, October 12, 2014 7:07 PM

Each LED must get its power from the blue decoder wire as well as using the green and purple wires.  Yes, it's possible to cut the green and purple wires from the harness for this purpose, with appropriate resistors in the line.  You must then program the decoder for flashing ditch lights.  

If you haven't done so, go to the TCS web site and download their Comprehensive Programming Guide.

 

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • 200 posts
Posted by jwar41 on Sunday, October 12, 2014 8:10 PM

Cacole, thanks for your reply.

Yes I tied the leds/resistors into the blue wire, using the Green and Purple ( tested off of decoader with track power, lights work). I also used the Quick Presets on page 24 of the TCS comp Programing Guide. Programed on Program track, Decoder worked on ESU decoader tester, of which showed front and rear light, but no ditch lights.

I think I may be on to it. Guide stated to change CV8 to 10, when it read back it is 153. seems strange to change CV8??? O well I shall try try again LOL

Thanks agin John

 

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Ontario Canada
  • 3,574 posts
Posted by Mark R. on Sunday, October 12, 2014 10:24 PM

From the manual ....

By default the green wire comes on with button one. To make the purple wire come on with button one as well enter the value 4 (the button one value) into CV 36.

Now your ditch lights will come on in forward direction when function button one is turned on and blink when button two is pressed.

The green wire is configured through CV51. Set it to 10 for forward only, 26 for reverse only or 42 for on in both directions.

The purple wire is controlled by CV52. Set it's parameters to match the green wire using 11 for forward, 27 for reverse or 43 for on in both directions.

You control the rate of speed they flash by adjusting CV117 from 1-255 (default is 213). You can also adjust the amount of time the ditch lights continue flashing after being turn off using CV63 from 1-255 (default being 100).

OR ....

There is a quick-set method as you discovered by setting CV8 to 10. This is a "set" only and does retain this figure in CV8 as it will automatically revert back to the manufacturer's number of 153. By setting CV8 to 10, it automatically sets ....

CV 35 = 4 Green wire mapped to button 1.

CV 36 = 4 Violet wire mapped to button 1.

CV 51 = 42 Green wire set to Ditch Light Left in both forward and reverse.

CV 52 = 43 Violet wire set to Ditch Light Right in both forward and reverse.

CV 124 = 8 Maps Ditch Light Blink to button 2.

Mark.

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • 200 posts
Posted by jwar41 on Monday, October 13, 2014 12:10 AM

Thank you Mark

All the CVs are correct, I again reset to factory, and put it on the ESU decoder programer, and ran in forward, the motor tester ran for a minit, not much longer then died, I let it sit without changing anything and it started up again, then I put the green and purple in the aux sets of the tester, nothing. Im reasonable sure its the decoader as I reset to factory again set 29 and no G&P functions and again the motor dies every one or two minits max, cant be the engine as it is the same in the ESU tester.

Mark I hope the above make sence, as Im about three blocks past Bonkers Street on this one. LOL 

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • 25 posts
Posted by Iansa on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 7:06 PM

I think the TCS T1 dedcoder is a 2 function only. IE front and rear headlight only.

If 4 function is required a T4X will give F & R head light plus 2 extra functions to do with what is required.

In this case flashing ditch lights.

Cheers

  Ian

 

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Mount Vernon WA
  • 968 posts
Posted by skagitrailbird on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 9:20 PM

Correctm Ian. The T1 is a two function decoder.  The OP needs the T4X or the T4-LED decoder for ditch lights.

Roger Johnson
  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Ontario Canada
  • 3,574 posts
Posted by Mark R. on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 10:37 PM

Yup - Read right past the fact it was a T1 decoder. While the green and purple wires ARE on the harness, they are inactive from the T1 decoder. As was mentioned, my settings WILL work - you just need the T4X decoder .... or you could use the T4-LED decoder which accepts LEDs directly with no external resistor required.

Mark. 

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • 200 posts
Posted by jwar41 on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 1:40 PM

I should have posted this as I found that out a few days ago. Feel like an absolute nube...LOL

However I wist to thank all of you fine people here with your kind help.

Anyhow it was one of those Ah-Haaaa moments after doing another hard wire install, noticed the green and purple wire and thought Hmmmm, if I.....Thats were the trees blocke the view of the forrest lol, gotta read those manuals, I did , but missed it. Sorry guys... But I learned a lot of other things with this problem LOL....John

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