So I was at the springfield show today, and happened by the NCE booth, where I saw an nscale locomotive sitting still, with the headlight flashing slowly. I thought, gee that is neat, then asked the guy at the booth how to do that(I have a NCE system). He starts to explain it, but as soon as I tell him that I am using a digitrax decoder, he essentially tells me to look at their (Digitrax) manual. Looking briefly at the digitrax manual that came with the decoders (drop in 163 series for either atlas or kato locomotives) and assuming the "manual" is the 4 page paper that comes with the decoder, it would seem that one needs to add wiring to do this. Is this indeed the case? Or is there another manual that actually spells out the steps on HOW to accomplish this task? All I saw was a stopped locomotive with flashing headlight, not alternating ditch lights etc. According to the NCE rep, it is simple with one of their decoders, but the rub is they don't produce a drop in for the loco's in question. Then I did a quick search on the digitrax yahoo group, and I was immediately lost by talk of setting x variable to y, and z to q etc. Does anyone have a site where cv numbers are matched to what they do, and what effects various inputs have? I feel like the dcc power users have some sort of club, and enjoy styming newbies. It is frustrating to hear or read "just hardwire" with no directions, or reading the digitrax information page for the decoders which tells you all the wonderful things that can be done or are available, but NO INFORMATION on HOW!!! My apologies for the vent, but I find that the learning curve once past the very basic set up a consist/run separate locomotives is ridiculously steep, and am not having any luck finding helpful step by step instructions for anything which makes me feel that I am "too dumb for DCC" .
I must agree with you. I wish there were a page, where someone would describe all the functions in SIMPLE LAYMAN's terms. There's no reason it can't be done. Technobabble often turns me off........ Boxcab E50
Maybe someone that knows this well should seriously think about writing one of those DUMMY books so those of us that don't have a clue can get into this.
This is straight from memory.....I will dig some for you. I know you have to change a CV value to alter the headlight. I played with this feature back in 2000. I was messing with my SD60 with a Digitrax decoder. There is a CV value for mars light, and other effects. It is actually not too hard to do once you know what value is for what. Like I said, I will dig some and see if I can figure this out for you.
You can use special lighting effects and that will help you program the function you want. I suggest you go to the Digitrax website and down load the complete manual on decoder functions for Digitrax decoders. It's about 100 pages and isn't the easiest to decipher the first time through. There is a section devoted to different lighting effects. BTW, NCE decoders aren't that good. I prefer Lenz decoders that you hardwire. The trouble is manufacturer's of DCC equipment and decoders have their own set of terminology that's specific for each manufacturer. Stay cool and run steam.....
I just did a quick blitz on Digitrax's website and the manual I want appears to be offline for now....the decoder manual. Bob is right, there is a Digitrax manual that has all of the codes for a specific effect outlined. I am not sure where my hard copies of my manuals are off hand (still packed from the move). Like I said, it is simply a matter of changing a CV value to control the front or rear lights. Additional lights require wiring to the decoder.
I keep that Digitrax decoder manual in the trainroom for quick reference. I can't remember all the nuances regarding Digitrax decoders. I use them for plugNplay situations but I do prefer the Lenz 521W and now the Lenz new mini gold decoders for the bulk of my decoder installations in steam loco's and all DCC unfriendly loco's, such as older Atlas and Kato diesels. The brief decoder manual that Digitrax puts in each decoder envelope is worthless because it doesn't tell you much. Stay cool and run steam....
I don't have a website with anything particular for Digitrax (other than the manual on the Digitrax site) but here's another option for you, that nobody else has brought up. First, a question, How close is your computer to your DCC system? (alternatly, can you move either the computer or the Command Station (and programming track) so that they are relativly close together?) Your NCE system (assuming you don't have the just released PowerCab) has a built in serial port. You can use that serial port to connect to a computer, and then use software to program your decoders. You can use DecoderPro, which is part of the JMRI project (http://www.jmri.info) for the actual programming. DecoderPro tries to present the programming options in a human readable format, and it has a definition file for the DN163 you're using, so you should be able to experiment with the lighting effects on the headlights. The software is available as a free download, and your command station has a built in computer interface, so your only potential cost is an interface cable between your computer and the command station (and you might already have what you need). Paul
So it would seem that DCC for dummies would sell at least 3 copies!!! Seriously, thank you all, just knowing that I am not alone, and that there does exist a better manual (even if it is offline) than is supplied with the decoders, and that what I am asking should be possible gives me hope. I play with SQL, and VBA, and access in my day job so I ought to be able to get through programming a decoder, given reasonable documentation. My computer is on the second floor, and the layout in the basement, but once all files are moved off my old win 98 box, I may be able to work that issue out, and will try using decoder pro, as I do have the full NCE P Pro system. Thanks again for the replies.
nodima: Try this. I just played with my NCE system and Decoder Pro. programming a Digitrax DZ123. It looks like by changing CV 49 you can get several light effects. If cv49=1 normal light on and off . 2=mars 3=flash 4=single strobe 5=double strobe 6=rotary beacon 7=gyralite You can get other effects but these are the few that I looked into quickly
Thank you so much for those cv values, I will try them tonight. I was eventually able to find a working link to the digitrax decoder manual, and subsequently downloaded a copy of it. That could be a big piece of the puzzle I was without until now. Kirk
The information is there in most manuals. Albeit, buried, but there. I set up my first lights last week on a Stewart AS616 (C&O). I have a TCS mobile decoder in that particular engine. I set the normal forward headlight to run in a Mars configuration. There were 3 CV's as I recall. I set one for max brightness, one for min brightness, and one for timing rate between bright/dim in the Mars function. Then, I set the reversing headlight up for blinking.. several CV"s were set for overall brightness and flashing rate. Setting up the CV's for the various lights is the easy part. I agree weeding through the manuals can be difficult. I must say I had to dig to figure out what CV's I was supposed to be setting, but once I found them... nothing to it.
Matt: Technology in DCC is advancing too rapidly for an all inclusive manual for each manufacturer. It would be obsolete in no time. There are manuals that fully describe CV functions and values and that is an enormous help. Stay cool and run steam.....
Even if your layout is far away, all you have to do is provide a programming track close to your computer to use Decoder Pro or PC software.... Harold
That means you have to move your command station as well. Just use a laptop in the trainroom and everything can stay in place. Stay cool and run steam..
Great, "honey, I need a laptop. I know we just bought a new desktop, but I need a laptop down in the basement to work on my trains." silence. Yeah, that'll work. Seriously, I should be able to put my old system down there in a few weeks or so. I was able to get the light features to work last night As all or nothing. ie set cv 49 to x value. Next I have to figure out how to set up a macro or single key to flash lights only when I want them to flash. But armed with the Digitrax manual and the NCE manual, I ought to be able to do that. Thanks again for all the help. Kirk
