I have an 8-pin Rocco decoder that I am using to simulate a train. The decoder is wired to a bread board and generally works as it should. The only function that does not work is the forward light (white). I can get the reverse light (yellow) to turn on and off. Am I miss-understanding the DCC++ specs. Lighting is a Function Group 1 setting. This command byte has the general form {1, 0, 0, A, B, C, D, E). where A to E take the values 0 or 1. If I set A = 1, the reverse light turns on, and turns off if A = 0. I assumed that one of B to E would control the forward light, but setting them to one does not turn on the forward light. Similarly, if I assume a Function Group 2 byte, I still cannot get the forward light to turn on. Am I missing something in my understanding of DCC packets as specified in S-9.2.1? As a test I applied 9V DC to the rails to simulate the decoder working under DC. Depending on which rail is +ve the forward and reverse lights work correctly, so the wiring is good. Thanks in advance.
Sorry, sent 4 too many pics of the board.The direction LEDs on the left work OK, the front and rear lights LEDs on the right, only the yellow LED lights (reverse), the forward LED I cannot get to work.
Thanks. I have got it to work now. I did not realise that the train needed to move forward to get the forward light to go on. I thought I could toggle the lights on/off whenever I wanted. I was testing the forward lights when the train was in reverse.
I noticed this about my Rocco decoder. When I switch lights on, either the forward or the reverse lights come on depending on which way the train is moving. If the train is stationary when I switch on the lights, either the forward or reverse lights come on depending on whether the train was last moving forward or reverse.Not a big deal, just interesting.
