Decoder for Atlas China drive

most ESU decoders have two variations of lighting outputs, for +-14 volts and 5 volts, depending on which common is used. In addition they have several lighting output functions. It becomes a matter of you choosing which function map you wish to use for the class lights.

in one example, I used the F5 function to control rear red LED markers on a gas-electric. I could have also tied them into the headlight function so they switched ends when the direction was reversed. (as long as the max MA draw of the function is not exceeded)

not sure what you meant by authentic, but setting the lights up with their own function control gives you... control over their use.

PRR Man:

I am trying to wire the locomotive correctly as Bowers is doing where F5 can be used to select the White, Red, or Green classification lite. The class lites were only turned on if the train was assigned a special class and only should be on in one direction prototypically.

Thanks for any help, Stephen

Hi Stephen,

As mentioned in your previous thread, I think you will need additional hardware to do this as their aren't enough function outputs on the decoder, and each is only toggle-on and toggle-off again. Ideally Bowser's board from their SD40-2 that the Loksound plugs into if they'd sell it to you, or perhaps a modified LED signal or traffic light driver board from Ngineering, Tam Valley etc.

I did think some more about this after the last thread and figured you could possibly use a second light-only decoder which are fairly low cost. I think you can get them with 4 or more function outputs to drive the different coloured LEDs. You could assign the same decoder address or use advanced consisting, and map the function outputs to turn on and off all the white LEDs, reds and greens as groups. You wouldn't get sequential toggling but at least you could have (say) F12 as white, F13 red, F14 green or whatever worked. 

On the Loksound Yahoo group I bet someone could advise if there's way to use the very flexible Loksound function mapping to get sequential operation off one function. The Bowser SD40-2 sound file is available for download at the Loksound site. Might be some clues in there about how they did it. I see F5 is listed as "rotary beacon" but there must be more to it...      

HTH     

if I understand correctly, your class lights have the ability to display any of the three colors? that sounds as if the LED would have 4 leads (1 common, 1 for each color) or there are separate bulbs/LEDs for each color? in either case it would need separate functions for each color, or a cascading circuit board between the decoder and light where you can cycle through each color using one function

can you explain: 1) which Loksound decoder you intend to use, 2) what the bulb/LED setup will be?

Chris, you captured my ramblings into 2 simple sentences, thank you! I am keen to see how to do this also. I really like how the HO Bowser SD40-2 setup works.

Stephen,

I think there is a software solution to this after all.  See this thread by Bob over at A&O.  He found the code in the V4 file for the (I think) ScaleTrains HO Turbine that sequences through the class light LEDs from a single function button, similar effect to the Bowser SD40-2s. 

http://forum.aorailroad.com/t/...g-and-install/328/10

I believe if you're using the Loksound V4 rather than Select decoder you could add this "sound slot" and assign to a function of your choice. It would still use up a function output for each LED colour but no extra hardware required. Not sure if you could get it into a Select though. 

HTH