Depends. Do you want to do it right, or change some CVs and then get all confused a few years down the road when you need to reset the decoder and can't remember why the lights and direction are all messed up? That's why I (usually) test before soldering the motor wires and shrinking the heat shrink.
Or later go back and hook up some other directional function, like ditch lights, and none of the examples in the decoder manual work because - oh yeah, you have to set everything for the opposite of standard.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Odd. When I change the 'forward' direction of an engine using CV29, the lighting also changes to the proper direction.
I'm using NCE decoders.
South Penn
SouthPenn Odd. When I change the 'forward' direction of an engine using CV29, the lighting also changes to the proper direction. I'm using NCE decoders. South Penn
Let's say that the value of CV29 is 34 (forward direction, 28/128 speed steps, long address. The headlight is on in forward and off in reverse.
Now, if I change the value of CV29 to 35, the loco will travel in reverse and the headlight will be off when I press the forward direction button on my NCE throttle. If I press the reverse direction button, the loco will travel forward and the headlight will be on.
Rich
Alton Junction
I had an Atlas Trainmaster engine open last night. None of the wiring matches the NMRA color code.