Multiple Lighting Functions.

[conrail313]

How would I go about using more than 4 lighting functions? I need to run:
1) Front Headlight.
2) Rear Headlight.
3) Number Boards.
4) L Ditch Light.
5) R Ditch Light.
6) Class/Marker lights.

Are there decoders with more than 4 lighting functions available? They would need to have sound too.

[mrbill]

Here is a digitrax decoder thats give some good explanation on the 8 functions that can be programmed, they are pretty good with on line support to help if you have questions
www.digitrax.com/products/mobile-decoders/dh123p/

[mgwsy]

There are no sound decoders that I know of that have that many light functions. Best thing would be to get your sound decoder and add a function only decoder for more lighting functions.

[EMDX6043]

NCE's got a 6-function board, but it's non-sound. Oops...

[conrail313]

Kinda figured I would have to go with 2. How exactly does one go about wiring 2 decoders in the same loco?

[Mark R.]

For non-sound, I'd recommend TCS's A6X decoder, and for sound, check out Loksound's Select Direct with six output functions.


Mark.

[wpdivwldr]

conrail,
Have you looked at LokSound ? their select board may work. I had a problem with a e-bay seller standing behind the select sound decoder, so I contacted esu in Indainia and Matt helped me though the mess.

[lyled1117]

You could use two decoders where the 2nd is a function only decoder. TCS makes an FL4 and an FL2 (4 & 2 functions respectively) and Digitrax makes a couple of function decoders as well. I find the Digitrax ones limited in their function remapping, the TCS ones are much more flexible and easier to use in my opinion. As an example in the last couple of weeks I have done two Metra F40PHs with a Tsunami and an FL4. Between the two decoders I was able to do a fwd light, rear light, l & r ditch (flashing) lights, rear marker lights, an overhead gyralight, and an active emergency light. If you contemplate this, I would suggest using a TCS VR15 voltage regulator as well. It gives you a 1.5V output so you don't have to install all of the resistors you would otherwise need for all these different lights.

Lyle

[lyled1117]

Oct 21, 2012 11:47:41 GMT -5 conrail313 said:

Kinda figured I would have to go with 2. How exactly does one go about wiring 2 decoders in the same loco?

The 2nd decoder gets wired just like the first in that it has two power leads that go to track power (Red & Black). It has it's own Blue wire and the appropriate number of function leads. One technique I use a lot is to mount the function decoder to the shell and let that decoder power as many lamps that are shell mounted as possible. Use a two pin connector in the power leads and you can remove the shell completely from the power frame.

One reason this can be useful is it gives you one way of programming either decoder without affecting the other decoder. Most of the time this isn't a concern because the CVs you typically change in the sound decoder have no affect on the function decoder's operation. The major exception to that is when you are remapping the function decoder when first installed. Those CVs do match the CVs of the sound decoder. If you can disconnect the function decoder, program the function decoder while attached to the sound decoder. Then disconnect the function decoder and then program the sound decoder. You likely remapped things on the sound decoder that need to be set back to it's original mapping (Master reset is a quick and easy way to do that).

If you're not able to disconnect the decoders from each other the way I handle that is to give each decoder a different SHORT address before installing the LONG address. Leave one at 3, make the other 4 for example. If you need to change one or the other, than tell the LONG address decoder (both) to use it's SHORT address. Then you can program on the main either loco 3 or loco 4 as desired. When done, program each decoder to use it's LONG address and now both decoders are back to acting like one decoder.

Hope this makes sense
Lyle

[tpwillie]

Are there decoders with more than 4 lighting functions available? They would need to have sound too.

Take a look at the QSI Titan. There are 24 lighting outputs. Here si the link to the installation manual:

www.qsisolutions.com/pdf/titan/Titan_U_Diesel_Rev_C_3-15-12.pdf

I installed one in my GP38-2 and have had a lot of fun playing with the sounds too.

Good Luck.

Lou

[Mark R.]

Lou - The QSI Titan has TEN light outputs, not 24.


Mark.

[conrail313]

What are your opinions on the QSI Titans? My Atlas C40-8Ws have the stock QSI and it sounds rather toy-ish, but have they improved?

[tpwillie]

Dunno Mark, page 12 of the manual shows 24. That's all I can go by.

I like the Titan. It does all the lights like the OEM QSI decoders. I like the sound output and the balancing of the individual sounds between the speakers. They are still tuning the sounds so it should only improve. I plan to use more of them in upcominmg models.

Lou

[mosslake]

The Loksound Select is a 6 function sound decoder.

www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-select/

it seems to come in a wide range of sounds -steam & diesel- and can also be had (as the 'Loksound Direct) as a straight 'drop in' for most brands lighting boards. '

www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-select-direct/

I haven't used it yet but will to light up my SP switcher's assorted lights

It's just amazing what we have available today - DCC and sound... I remember as a kid being amazed by my new Athearn SW7, that it ran so smoothly right outof the box; how things change...

[spike]

You could consolidate some lights into 1 function. One example is both ditch lights on one function. The only problem would be if you want flashing ditch lights. The number boards could be one with the headlight.