I just completed installing a TCS FL4 lighting only decoder into my GS4 loco, to accompany the EM13 in the tender. I have a 1,000 ohm resistor on the blue positive wire ,but trying the 100ohm TCS recommends from blue to any output wire still doesn’t doesn’t allow readback on programming track, so I had to create a roster element for it manually at 3. I currently have pink for headlight and number-boards boards have an extra 220 oh, resistor to dim them further, green is the MARS, Brown could be cablight or firebox, ( I have it assigned to F2’s and F3 so it can be momentary or latched, depending on what it looks like once it is dark again and I test it) and purple is Reverse light. To avoid issues I pulled the em13 out until the install and programming was “complete” on the FL4. What I don’t understand is how the GS4 will appear in my roster, and on the throttle/WiThrottle. Right now the GS4 FL4 is still set to 3 and has its own roster entry, as I can’t find a way to specify two decoders in the existing 4449 em13 roster entry. Am I missing something, or do I truly have to have it in the roster twice, program the second entry as the same 4449 DCC address and then just use the lock feature to lock the light decoder, and reinstall the em13? If needed, my fl4 uses the existing light bar tabs for power so I can do the em13 back in and disconnect the fl4 to also lock the motor decoder, if there is a specified order to things? I’m just mostly confused on the JMRI roster side of things (which would be WiThrottle as well) after reading the brief one page in the help file, so I appreciate any clarification anyone can provide on how to proceed after the physical install as far as the DCC address, and roster. Many thanks in advance.
Richard, I am, by no means, a DCC expert and I have no experience with the EM-13 from KATO. I have used a TCS FL4 before but can not remember all the different colors, I assume for outputs. Does the EM-13 have lights controls. Two ways I might try is : 1. Give both decoders the same address and they will receive the commands as a "faux" one piece unit. 2. I also might try a unique address for each decoder and then "consist" them on the throttle. I probably just showed my ignorance and since I have no idea about the KATO EM-13's performance I would do one of my attempts. I'm sure a real knowledgeable member will chime in. However, as always, have fun, Carl
Well, what I did was go old school over the last hour or so, as the article above suggested. I did the fl4 without the em13 in. I made sure that I set up my function controls and labeled them and made sure they worked as expected. (I also switched back to steady lighting instead of flicker, firebox wasn’t convincing even with a tinted amber light.) Then I disconnected the fl4 from the oEM light plate, put the em13 back in and selected the real loco from the roster, and set the function controls the same as I had them on the fl4 roster entry. Then it’s both on at 4449, the and the function controls work in WiThrottle or the JMRI throttle on screen for the loco. I decided to do the cab light as I said above, but it was strobing when the PWM tried to reduce the illumination to 50% so I bumped it back up to full in programming. Instead I dimmed it an old school way. two drops of canopy glue, dipped the tip of a toothpick in very light grey and swirled it in,and applied the very slightly tinted canopy glue over the LED. You can tell it is on from the front, and if you look careFully, you can see the white seats in front of the mint/seafoam green cab wall from the side. Which is nice, because it was a pain to paint, and even in daylight it was impossible to see in. As I can tell, you can’t merge the rosters or give one loco two decoders in JmRi, and I didn’t want to do it this way, but it works. And I didn’t hav3 to consist anything either. Once I am sure I am happy, I can just delete the extra “lights only roster” entry if I ever want to. Thank you Carl and DCESharkman for your input.
I will just Rename the roster entry as Z lights for 4449 so it will fall to the bottom of the list, but I will keep it there. The the lower drawbar that carries current from the drivers to the tender is disabled, so the em13 picks up from the tender, outputs to the upper drawbar and the fl4 runs from the drivers. Thus I can park one end or the other on the re-railer to program them independently still. Lost the last traction tire as well, so I guess I will need to eventually either snot or update the drivers. It still out pulls and out pushes the f3 (by a LOT) so very prototypical in that regard!
