Is there a way to tell decoder to re-light headlight after a stall out or derailment ? I know I'm not alone in noticing how many times I have to re-light the headlight when dealing with say, track problems. Something went wrong/corrected it/headlight off again/re-hit 'headlight' button. Why can't system hold in memory to keep light on no matter what has happened to cause a stall or such ? Why must we have to re-hit headlight button during/after track tests, after shorts/derailments. I'd think it would come back on until we purposely ' turn it off '. Or, is there a way ? Related: why do I have to hit the headlight button 2 times to turn it on ? Loco is set for forward/light not on/hit button once/hit button again to activate. Related also: Many times whistle blows turning on headlight. This is HO, Bachmann, NCE PCab.
I've never had to relight the headlight after a derailment or short circuit. I have a Bachmann 2-8-0 HO that I never have to relight although it is a very dim light. None of my other HO or N locos behave like that. I do have some Proto 2000 RS27's that I sometimes have to reprogram the address or sound levels after a short occurs. Running with Digitrax.
MarkinLA, I have the same problem that you have. Not only my Tsunami stuff but also a Roundhouse steamer and a couple of el cheap-o's. I also use an NCE power cab. Hmmm. I saw nothing on JMRI DecoderPro that addressed this situation. I'm just used to firing up the headlight again.
I had that happen a few times last weekend on the NTRAK layout at Oklahoma City. The system there was Digitrax. You had to hit "0" twice before the light would come back on.
One of the reasons you may have to hit the 0 button twice to relight the headlight is because when the decoder shuts off the headlight your controller still thinks the headlight is on. So basically you are turning the headlight off so you can turn it back on. That has happened to some of my clubs members. No big deal.
I run on N-scale layouts with both NCE and Digitrax DCC systems. I have frequently had this headlight issue using NCE but not with Digitrax for the same engines. I am not aware of any CV adjustment that removes the problem.
Thanks for replies. At least I'm not alone. Odd, Charlie does not have problem when Digitrax, but does when NCE ! markwr , I am aware of refresh option. I finally got my 2-8-0's chuff rate fairly good. If we hit 'refresh' I believe I'd lose those settings. I could write them down first. But going thru all 28 settings again, ugh !
The function refresh option has nothing to do with any of the CV settings in the decoder. It causes the command station to refresh the function commands on all the locomotives it's controlling. In other words after the command station sends any speed or other commands it retransmits headlight on commands to every locomotive that it is controlling that is supposed to have it's headlight on. It sends headlight off commands to every locomotive that is supposed to have the headlight off, etc. In a Lenz system the function refresh is enabled by default. In an NCE system the default is for it to be off. I believe you'll find that Digitrax defaults to refreshing the functions which is why the problem doesn't appear on the Digtrax system.
Ah so, velly intelesting ! OK, so I scroll to 'function refresh', enter 'yes' (or may be '6', not at home)and it will or might program function to remain 'on' (headlight) and will not affect CV67-94 'loadable speed table' nor CV 116, yes ?
The CV67-94 settings are in the locomotive decoder. The function refresh setting is in the command station.
With due respect what I'm saying is : If we can put a man on the moon and next Mars it seems the systems could all keep the light going back on after every mishap until we WANT it off ! It's not rocket science.
Keeping the refresh option off will improve the network speed. NCE defaults to off. On large layouts with lots of operators this is desirable. Two presses as already pointed out is required. One to turn the function off. (because the command station still thinks it's on). Then a second to actually get the command station to send the "ON" packet. Martin Myers
Wasn't able to complete above on time. Martin are you saying keep the refresh button 'off' ? What is meant by "improve network speed" ?
