That's the difference between Rule 17 direction and Rule 17 non-directional. The 'common' interpetation is that a switcher would have both lights on at all times, bright when moving, dim when stopped. A mainline loco would only have the light on in direction of travel, bright when moving, dimmed when stopped.
Nice thing you can do with Loksound is set up individual light controls, like a real loco, and have them toggle between off, bright, and dim. Real locos don't have headlights that automatically dim or change direction.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
John,
Actually Rule 17 should dim both the forward and rear headlights when the locomotive is stopped and remain dimmed for the headlight that is opposite the direction of travel. That's how it would operate in a yard. However, if you are using the locomotive on the mainline, your setup would be just fine.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Well, duh! I figured the problem out myself. Rule 17 on Loksound decoders evidently dims headlight in direction loco is travelling when it stops. It does not affect the spposite headlight so my configuration is O.K. It helps to read the Loksound manual!
John in Carolina
I cannot seem to get "Rule 17" headlight behavior to function on any of my Loksound 5 decoders by simply clicking the appropriate boxes on the Function Output section of the Loksound Programmer. I have the settings as "dimmable headlight" and have checked the LED, dimmer, and "Rule 17 forward" (or reverse) on front and rear headlights. Like older Loksound decoders I have a work-around using "Front headlight One," Rear headlight Two," "Rear headlight One," and Front Headlight Two" and setting the "two's" to 0 for brightness but it seems an odd way to do things. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.