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Post by Curn on Aug 6, 2016 1:53:37 GMT -5
I'm in the process of converting my fleet to DCC. I'm getting to the F3A and F3B, and I'm having problems with the lights. I'm using the TCS AZL4 decoder for my AZL diesels. With the F3A, in reverse, the reverse light comes on and it shines through the body. Same thing happens with the F3B in both directions, but I can always toggle the lights on it. I'm not seeing an option in the CVs to keep these lights off.
Ideally I would like to assign both decoders the same address and not deal with consisting them, but the lighting is getting in the way of that. For the F3A, I at least want to keep the reverse light off without having to toggle the lights off when I flip it into reverse. I'm just not seeing where that option is. Best I can come up with is CV157 to dim the reverse light. Do I need to just remove the rear LED from the board?
Matt
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 6, 2016 8:58:39 GMT -5
Hi Matt,
Set CV61=0 and that will disable the automatic headlight reversing.
Best,
-Rob(A)
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Post by Curn on Aug 6, 2016 12:33:00 GMT -5
Rob,
Thanks for the try. That might work on Digitrax decoders, but with TCS CV61 controls Back EMF and rule 17 Dimming.
I think I figured it out. Function remapping. Should work with Digitrax or TCS.
F3A: Set CV34 to 16 to remap the reverse light to function button 3.
F3B: Set CV33 and 34 to 16 to remap both lights to function button 3.
This way when the decoder tells the reverse lights to come on, it turns on function 3, which isn't connected to anything on these decoders, rather than the lights.
Matt
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Post by markm on Aug 6, 2016 13:44:48 GMT -5
Have you considered a couple of pieces of black electrical tape?
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Post by davestubbs on Aug 6, 2016 14:32:47 GMT -5
I just pulled them off the board. They pull off pretty easy. yes its destructive but I will not be switching the board any time soon.
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Post by Curn on Aug 6, 2016 14:49:07 GMT -5
^
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That was Dave's 220th post!
Mark, I prefer being frustrated with technology for hours on end over simple 30 second mechanical fixes that would allow me to move onto more important things, but maybe someone else will find your suggestion useful.
Matt
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Post by shamoo737 on Aug 6, 2016 17:58:32 GMT -5
Matt, try TCS forum. You will get your answer there.
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Post by markm on Aug 7, 2016 15:09:48 GMT -5
Set CV61=0 and that will disable the automatic headlight reversing. Rob Thanks and not. Digitrax documents are confusing at best. V2 of their "bible" says this controls LED v. lamp power generation. The DZ123Z0 spec says it controls auto lighting direction, but is not available on FX³ decoders such as the Z0 and the on-line docs (http://www.digitrax.com/support/cv/#cv61) say a value of 1 disables. My question to you is whether CV61=0 comes from actual operation? I just pulled them off the board. They pull off pretty easy. yes its destructive but I will not be switching the board any time soon. I would really advice against this. The mechanical stress can damage the connections to the CPU and particularly with the AZL4 is not hobbyist repairable. Mark, I prefer being frustrated with technology for hours on end over simple 30 second mechanical fixes that would allow me to move onto more important things, but maybe someone else will find your suggestion useful. Matt, After several decades in technology I can tell you that sometimes electrical tape IS the technological solution.  I spent some time playing with this when I got my E units, although I didn't know about Digitrax' CV61 as mentioned by Rob. One can map function keys or fiddle with strobe light intensity and period functions, but I found it awkward and decided the tape to be the universal solution. A seldom modelled feature of the E & F units are the taillights: www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3227348One might want to use the reverse LEDs for these: run a fiber optic through to the back bulkhead. Of course you'd still need to electrical tape to mask the unwanted light. Mark |
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Post by shamoo737 on Aug 7, 2016 19:25:22 GMT -5
Is there a reason why you don't want to use consist. It seems to be the easiest solution.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 7, 2016 19:47:56 GMT -5
Is there a reason why you don't want to use consist. It seems to be the easiest solution. Actually, I believe this scenario is exactly why the consist option exists! |
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Post by Curn on Aug 7, 2016 23:31:44 GMT -5
Consist only solves tha B unit light problem, not the A unit reverse lights.
As a general rule on my railroads, DCC decoder addresses are assigned as the units cab number. As I sometimes go long periods without running particular units, and sometimes play with other scales, I would forget what number I assigned if I used some other numbering scheme. And I didn't have any problem with this scheme until I put decoders in my SP F3A & F3B. The SP F3Bs wernt painted with numbers but were assigned alpha numeric identifiers in 4 unit sets, eg: 6100B, 6100C, etc. So in my wisdom, I figured, they are always together, might as well given them the same number , 6100. I suppose I could go with 6100 for the A unit and 8000 for the B unit, as that is how they were eventually renumbered. Then I would have to write 8000 on the bottom of the B unit for when I eventually forget. Giving them the same decoder address seemed like an easier solution.
Matt.
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Post by tjdreams on Aug 8, 2016 17:50:56 GMT -5
When in a properly assigned Consist the forward facing head light in the lead unit will be the only light on when going forward. If you have the rear facing light in the lead unit coming on when going in reverse direction then you do not have the consist setup properly.
As for forgetting what number you assigned to a B unit that dose not have a No. board on the shell or for any unit you haven't used in some time is nothing new for many of us.
We are all getting older and forgetting Numbers is simply part of getting older.
I have a Data base on my desktop where I keep that info + I Also keep a hand written log book at the control panel with that kind of info for quick reference.
Mine looks something like
MTL 980 01 1234 B&O F7-A # 1234 = Digitrax DZ123mo decoder assigned short = 34 Long = 1234 Consist lead = 123
MTL 980 02 1234 B&O F7-B # xxxx = Digitrax DZ123mo decoder assigned short = 35 Long = 1235 Consist rear = 123
I also keep track of any CV I changed and what I changed it to so that if I ever have to replace the decoder or reset it by accident I know what to set it back.
David
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Post by shamoo737 on Aug 8, 2016 20:01:24 GMT -5
Matt, I used a powercab, and I don't see the light controlling issues you are facing. Unless you are tons of consists, it's easy to remember most of them. After setting the consist, the lights on the loco is not controlled by the consist. You have to address the loco, and turn the light on. By the way, if you have problem remembering the consist number, document it.
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Post by BAZman on Aug 9, 2016 0:23:44 GMT -5
jmri's DecoderPro can store all of that and, copy it  I use a white paint pen under the loco to write all the info in black extra fine. You can also use 1, 2 (or 3) dots on the coupler or other for each B unit. |
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Post by Curn on Aug 9, 2016 0:50:11 GMT -5
When in a properly assigned Consist the forward facing head light in the lead unit will be the only light on when going forward. If you have the rear facing light in the lead unit coming on when going in reverse direction then you do not have the consist setup properly. David Matt, I used a powercab, and I don't see the light controlling issues you are facing. I have tried advanced consisting with both a PowerCab, and JMRI/DCC++. This is not the behaviour I am observing in my units. Nor is it the behaviour of my MTL units with the TCS MZA4 decoders when consisted. I did a factory reset on both decoders. Set the F3A to short address 35, long address 6100, enabled the long address in CV29=38, and set CV49 to 32 so that the headlight is always on. For the F3B, short address 36, long address 8000, and enabled the long address in CV29. I consist them with either PowerCab old or advanced consisting, the reverse light in the A unit is still on when in reverse. In JMRI/DCC++ Programmed each unit to have CV19=37. For the F3A I also tried programming CV22=1 to only enable the front light. Same result, the F3A reverse light still comes on when consisted and going backwards. Units consisted going forward  Units consisted going backwards.. Both light on on head unit.  Light coming through shell.  Am I doing something wrong, or do the TCS decoders not perform the way other brands do? Setting CV-34 to 16 to remap the reverse light function is a working fix for me at this point.. So is adding electrical tape. Matt |
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