Decoder Lighting Setup

Setting up & remapping decoders for light etc.

Many modellers who use DCC never actually change anything, as they are a little frightened about changing any settings in a decoder. That’s not surprising as the way instructions are written by some decoder makers, it looks like a cross between techno-babble and back magic when they DO try to explain it - a scan of several brands shows that they either usually over complicate it or brush over it, neither of which is helpful to you as a modeller who just wants his decoder to work properly!

I’ve created ALL the following examples using real decoders in real situations, recording them as I did them, so I know they work. I have also created some charts to try to explain how the adjustments work… read carefully, sake it step by step and I think it will become clear. DO try it for yourself as you re-read these pages as well - there is nothing like hands on button pushing to clarify this sort of information.

All you will need is a loco with lights powered via a decoder and a DCC system.

Things that will really make it easier are:

(1) A control system that allows you to read back the decoders current CV settings

(2) A loco drive decoder that allows read back of its settings. (actually be careful when playing with sound decoder settings as some brands will lose loco specific adjustments when reset - practice on a non-sound decoder)

Have a go: Don’t worry about getting it wrong. If you get confused, or confuse the decoder by an inadvertent or wrong push of a button, its easily reset back to “factory settings”. (All quality brands of decoder have this ability to be reset to their ex factory settings, ie: lights to auto and decoder set to address #3)

For most brands the reset is either set CV8 to 8 or CV 30 to 2, but check the instructions for yours first, especially if it is a sound decoder... If you can’t see the info in their instructions, try both, it cannot do any harm.

When you do that, lift the loco off the track for a moment and replace it again—that will complete the reset. If it doesn’t take, do it again.

(actually be careful when playing with sound decoder settings as some brands will lose loco specific adjustments when reset - practice on a non-sound decoder)

As to adding lighting…. DCCconcepts have perhaps the best range of special LED’s to create Loco, passenger coach and layout lighting available anywhere in the world – and we have some exclusive items at very competitive prices.

If you’d like to take a look before you read on, here is the link. Click here

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RE-MAPPING & SETTING UP THE LIGHT FUNCTIONS

Before we start here… a short comment.

I have included below the instructions based on remapping and programming TCS decoders. I chose this brand for the examples because their lighting control is exceptionally good and I consider their ability to adjust and control LEDs as the best there is.

Of course there are several decoder brands will also let you do many of these things… If you use another brand of decoder, the instructions may vary so please do check before proceeding - Whilst the “how” its done will be basically the same, specific detail may change.

· Choose which function button you wish to use for control

· Set up what you would like the function to do - flash, flicker, dim, strobe etc

· Set up when you would like the function to act—when going forward, backward or both directions.

All of these things are covered below: We hope you will find our help useful, and sincerely hope you try for yourself…

Go on, its fun, and easier than you think!

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Choosing which function button will be used for control:

We have set out below a chart which covers mapping of up to SIX functions

Setting up how you would like the function to act/react:

We have covered DITCH LIGHTS below as it is the most complex of the lighting functions, using TWO functions, having steady or alternately flashing option PLUS the ability to have a “holdover period” during which the flash happens. All other light functions are very simple in comparison, so please do try them!

Setting up when the function should react:

There are usually four ways a function can react:

(1) Always (2) When going forward (3) When going backwards (4) Momentarily or for only as long as the function is pressed.

This is best explained in text as follows:

Setting up how you would like the function to act/react:

This is easier simply explained in plain words, so that’s what I have done.

Read each as a single step, and you’ll find its easy to do.

DO IT a couple of times and you’ll soon find that it becomes easier every time - There is nothing to be worried about, so just have a go, please!

Here we go….

Take it slowly, work it through with a loco on the track, controller in hand, one step at a time, and it will become clear!

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To add dimming (Rule 17) to the front and/or rear headlights:

“Rule 17” is a common lighting on US and other railways that utilize high intensity lights. Its detail varies a little railway to railway, but in general states circumstances in which a loco must dim its lights, for example it refers to the dimming of the headlight when standing in a siding waiting to meet another train, passing through passenger stations or moving within yard limits..

* To have a dimmable front headlight when running forward only, select CV 49 and enter 8.

* To have a dimmable front headlight when running in both directions, select CV 49 and enter 40.

* To have a dimmable rear headlight when running in reverse only, select CV 50 and enter 24.

* To have a dimmable rear headlight when running in both directions, select CV 50 and enter 40. The light will dim when you press button 4.

AND

* To also dim the headlight when the engine is stopped, select CV and enter 16.

* To have the opposite headlight on and dimmed, select CV 61 and enter 32.

* To dim the headlight when the engine is stopped and to have the opposite headlight on and dimmed, select CV 61 and enter 48.

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To adjust the brightness of the dimmed headlights:

* Some decoders will allow you to change the brightness of the dimmed light. The preset value for TCS is 15.

* If you want the light to be dimmer, select CV 64 and enter a smaller number. (LED’s operate nicely on values from 2 to 6)

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To operate ditch lights (Using the green and purple wires. Also see chart)

To have ditch lights operate in forward direction only,

* select CV 51 and enter 10 and…

* select CV 52 and enter 11.

To get both the ditch lights to turn on with button 1

* select CV 36 and enter 4 (CV 35 should already be a value of 4).

To get both the ditch lights to turn on with button 3

* enter 16 in both CV 35 and CV 36. The ditch lights will then flash when you push either button 2 or 5.

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To adjust the “holdover time” on ditch lights:

The ditch light blink holdover time is preset for about 5 seconds.

* To adjust, select CV 63 and increase or decrease the time. A value of 12 equals about 1 second.

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To operate other lighting types when you turn them on in either direction:

To set for Random Flicker (fire box)

* Select the CV for the wire color wanted (see Fn remapping) Enter 33 in that CV.

To set for Mars Light effect:

Select the CV for the wire color you want. Enter 34 in that CV.

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To operate other lighting types when you turn them on in either direction:

Flashing Light:

* Select the CV for the wire color you want. Enter 35 in that CV.

Single Pulse Strobe Light:

* Select the CV for the wire color you want. Enter 36 in that CV.

Double Pulse Strobe Light:

* Select the CV for the wire color you want. Enter 37 in that CV.

Rotary Beacon Light:

* Select the CV for the wire color you want. Enter 38 in that CV

Gyra Light:

* Select the CV for the wire color you want. Enter 39 in that CV.

Constant Dim Light:

* Select the CV for the wire color you want. Enter 44 in that CV.

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To control which lights will operate when running on a DC layout:

* The lights connected to the white and yellow wires equal 1; the green wire equals 2; the purple wire equals 4; and the brown wire equals 8.

* Select CV 13 and enter the sum of the lights you want to be active. (for example, front and rear plus green would be 1 + 2 = 3 to be added to any value in CV13

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To control which lights will operate when the engine is double-headed or in a consist:

* Headlights: Select CV 22 and enter the sum of the headlights you want to be active when in consist. The white wire equals 1; and yellow wire equals 2.

* Other lights: Select CV 21 and enter the sum of the other lights you want to be active. The green wire equals 1; the purple wire equals 2; and the brown wire equals 4.

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Setting up “FUNCTION ONLY” Decoders.

Modellers are often confused by these decoders for two reasons:

Firstly: Because “function only” decoders can have the odd “Quirk” that makes them react differently to a standard decoder, such as not wanting to read back!

Secondly: Because sometimes they are needed in addition to a standard decoder for lighting installation in a locomotive that needs added functions, or in a multi unit train or similar…. And how do you set one up without affecting the other?

However... both issues are easily resolved if you know how. Read on, and YOU will know how to do it too.

Function Decoders and Reading CV’s:

When a normal loco drive decoder is connected, the load provided by the resistance of the motor is used to allow the decoder to acknowledge requests and commands from the control system…

If you put your hand gently on a loco being programmed, you can feel these short pulses from the motor as a gentle jogging of the loco—sometimes if the motor is really efficient, the loco may even move a little as it is programmed!

Its hard to describe what happens, but these short pulses are called “acks” which is computer-speak for “Acknowledgements”

The DCC system to decoder communication when the motor load is there to help is sort of like this:

YOU select the loco to be programmed, and the command station says > “Hello decoder 1234, is that you?”

Ack from Decoder 1234 > “Yes, that’s me”

YOU ask to read a particular CV, and the Command station says > “Decoder 1234, what is CV 32 set at”

Ack from Decoder 1234 > “CV32 is set at 2”

YOU tell it to change to a new number and the Command station says > Decoder 1234, change CV32 to 8”

Decoder 1234 > “Acknowledged and accepted”

The DCC system to decoder communication when there is NO motor load to help is sort of like this:

YOU select the loco to be programmed, and the command station says > “Hello decoder 1234, is that you?”

Silence….

Command station says > “No decoder detected” or perhaps “Cannot read CV”

So…. You can either simply go ahead, ignoring the lack of response, or give up.

Well…. Thats a bit “Thomas the Tank Engine” as far s descriptions go, but I think you will by now have the idea.

However its not a matter of doom and gloom or giving up, or even simply accepting it and flying blind (although frankly, that works fine if you are confident).

SOME function decoders DO have a built in dummy load, so CAN read back, and others can have one added while you programme very easily indeed! Here’s how.

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Some function decoders DO allow read-back:

The TCS FL2 2 function is an example; for this decoder, simply proceed as normal.

Most “function decoders” do not allow read-back without help:

There’s MORE to come… as we find time to write it…..

Examples (text only, examples later in pages).

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Part 2: Accessory decoders

Standard configuration of TCS FL4

Programming FL4

Remapping FL4

Decoder lock FL4