Thanks to the helpful members on this forum, i've got my polarity confusion sorted. Now that I have my lights working when they should, I'd like to change their behavior. What I have: DH126D What it can do: Lights when the train is moving. Or, lights when the train is stopped, but not when it is moving. This is kind of dumb to me. Prototype's will be on a siding, or in a yard, and lights are on with no motion. So, how do I program this? I've looked at the CV list for the decoder, and CV 49/50 seem to be assigned to lights. The value is set to 0 for these. I can't seem to find a good resource on how the logic for these works. Example: I can do Speed = 0 nondirectional, phase A, function qualifier. What I'd like is: Speed <=> 0, nondirectional, phase a, function qualifier. (although if i'm honest, other than electrical phase, i'm not sure what that phase statement is about). Or, put more simply, leave the light off until I turn it on and leave it on until I turn it off. Help?
This is the Digitrax decoder manual. https://www.digitrax.com/static/apps/cms/media/documents/documentation/Decoder_Manual_V2-01_2014.pdf If CV49 and CV50 both equal 0, then the front light will be on when direction is forward, and the back light when direction is reverse if F0 is turned on. If the decoder is not acting this way, then try a decoder reset (Set CV8=8 and then cycle power; note, reading CV8 will not return a value of 8)
John, By no means am I an expert on DCC but I have done many DIY installs both sound and non-sound. I do not quite understand some of your writings in your OP but it sounds to me that you are seeking the lights to operate under " Rule 17 ". If you are not familiar; the headlight would be on bright until the loco is stopped on siding for example. The headlight would dim but stay on and then as soon as the loco moves again the light will go bright once again. It is a neat feature. I understand that you are programming by changing CV's ? ? I would highly recommend you check out JMRI. It is a free download and very easy to use. Check it out on line. I hope I have not confused this issue for you, Carl PS : check out page 55 or 56 from decoder manual for rule 17 set up
@RBrodzinsky, This is exactly how the decoder is behaving. It just isn't desired behavior from me. @carl, It sounds like rule 17 is what I am after! I'll check it out later today. Also, I'm running JMRI already. Pretty good stuff! I found out as well that the throttle will respect light controls if the engine is set to "Idle" vs "Stop". So, if rule 17 doesn't work, I can just use the idle setting to keep the lights on. Thanks so much everyone for chiming in. Normally I'd hit up a local club and get some advice from those who have been using these technologies. However, with the lock downs, that isn't an option just yet.
Well, I gave the rule 17 setting a try. I'd have to put a volt meter on the circuit to be sure, but with the LEDs there was no appreciable change in intensity. I'll just go with the Idle setting when on sidings. Assuming I ever get this loco on a track other than my programming track.
