mtaylor
June 8th, 2000, 04:19 PM
Hello again,
First, I just wanted to say that I feel a little better now. I have successfully converted my 1977 ConCor/Rivarossi 2-8-8-2 using a DN142 decoder. However, I am having issues with the headlight. The headlight originally drew power from the loco frame and a feed wire that ran from the tender (with a stop at the motor). The frame is live, it is not a split frame (hey this is a 23 year old loco). The bulb holder is actually part of the frame and can not be modified. After digging through various documentation from Digitrax I found a method of wiring a light using track power and the white feed from the decoder....this does not work. The blue feed (common light return line) does illuminate the bulb but then I have no control. I am totally confused. Does anyone know feeds comple the circut for the lights? also, why does the blue wire and the right track feed illuminate the bulb. BTW, everthing else is working properly. In fact this loco now runs 80% better than before the conversion. However, maybe this has more to do with totaly disassembling the loco and reassembling it. All in all I am pleased with my self. This is my second DCC decoder installation attempt and the first successful installation (aside from the light issue). Not too shabby for no instructions. I apoligize for my self praise, just a little excited about the whole thing.
I could wire the blue wire to the bulb but then I will not be able to turn off the headlight....yuck!! Any help would be great. I will be posting this to Digitrax as well.
Matt
First, I just wanted to say that I feel a little better now. I have successfully converted my 1977 ConCor/Rivarossi 2-8-8-2 using a DN142 decoder. However, I am having issues with the headlight. The headlight originally drew power from the loco frame and a feed wire that ran from the tender (with a stop at the motor). The frame is live, it is not a split frame (hey this is a 23 year old loco). The bulb holder is actually part of the frame and can not be modified. After digging through various documentation from Digitrax I found a method of wiring a light using track power and the white feed from the decoder....this does not work. The blue feed (common light return line) does illuminate the bulb but then I have no control. I am totally confused. Does anyone know feeds comple the circut for the lights? also, why does the blue wire and the right track feed illuminate the bulb. BTW, everthing else is working properly. In fact this loco now runs 80% better than before the conversion. However, maybe this has more to do with totaly disassembling the loco and reassembling it. All in all I am pleased with my self. This is my second DCC decoder installation attempt and the first successful installation (aside from the light issue). Not too shabby for no instructions. I apoligize for my self praise, just a little excited about the whole thing.
I could wire the blue wire to the bulb but then I will not be able to turn off the headlight....yuck!! Any help would be great. I will be posting this to Digitrax as well.
Matt