I have a customer that was adamant I install a Digitrax SDH186MT sound decoder in his engine. The installation was no problem and everything functioned as expected on DCC .... although the sound left a lot to be desired !
Trouble is, he is still currently running his engines on DC until he gets a DCC system and the lights do not work on DC. (?)
I've gone through all the documentation and see nothing about this being the case using DC and see nothing to correct it. Any of you Digitrax users have an answer as to why the lights won't work on DC, yet work fine on DCC ?
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Try turning them on in DCC and leaving them on.
Old Digitrax decoders used CV13 to control what functions were on for DC, but that's supposedly not used any more. However, for the headlight and reverse light to be on, the value would be 192.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
That thought crossed my mind as well Randy, but turning on in DCC didn't translate over to DC operation.
I tried to talk him into an ESU decoder, but this one was half the price and now I'm stuck trying to get the headlights to work for him.
And woirth even less - that's the 8 bit model. There is a 16 bit one that at least ahs better quality sounds, if you can find a project for the right loco, which is entirely another issue.
THere's also no way to activate the horn or bell on DC, there's no add-on box liek there is for some of the others. Unless you go to the MRC dual mode power pack.
Hmm, I guess you could try reading CV13 and see what it is, and then try setting it. Worst case, have to reset the decoder.
Tried setting the CV13 to 255 as per suggested in that document .... still no lights on DC. This is the first decoder I can recall where at least the headlights don't work on DC. (?) Engine runs "ok" and the prime mover make noise (best I can put that).
Ok .... got it working. Your original suggestion of turning them on in DCC first does work. Originally, I turned the DC throttle up until the sound came on and no lights. The throttle needs to be turned up even further (engine starts to move) before the light would actually turn on. Apparently the decoder does remember that the lights ARE turned on as they continued to work after numerous times removing the power.
Another "satisfied" (ahem) customer ....