TMCC ditch lights

@Kevin1 posted:

Is there an upgrade to make TMCC engine ditch lights flash when horn is sounded.  

What is the locomotive in question??

6-18290

Thanks

That model appears to be from 2002 and I don't remember Lionel diesels having a ditch light function under the TMCC components of the time. But the later/replacement ERR/3rd Rail Cruise Commander M has ditch light outputs. Here's a link to the manual: http://www.3rdrail.com/err-3rd...seM-Inst%20Feb20.pdf

Also, here's an old thread that might give you a steer on what's involved and why although it concerns installing a different ERR board: https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...err-ac-command-board

Ok thanks, might be more than I want to handle, I guess this will be a if it aint broke dont mess with it.  

@Kevin1 posted:

Ok thanks, might be more than I want to handle, I guess this will be a if it aint broke dont mess with it.  

I’d wait to hear from some real experts who post here - it might be easier than it looks.

Actually, the replacement of the Odyssey DCDS with the ERR Cruise Commander M isn't all that difficult, and that would give you the ditch light outputs.  For this model, that's probably the easiest upgrade.

A bonus is you get better speed control and 100 speed steps in the bargain!

Thanks GRJ and Hancock52, I will take a look at it , Im use to see my Legacy diesels flash @ crossings, be also nice to see my TMCC diesel do the same.

I have a question along the same lines.  I am upgrading an MTH engine to the ERR Cruise Commander.  How would I wire in ditch lights (forward direction only)?  What is the voltage output so I can put in the correct voltage LEDs?

I have a different engine that is already upgraded to the Cruise Commander and was wondering how to do it for both forward and reverse as the prototype engine has.

Thanks in advance.

@C&O Allan posted:

I have a question along the same lines.  I am upgrading an MTH engine to the ERR Cruise Commander.  How would I wire in ditch lights (forward direction only)?  What is the voltage output so I can put in the correct voltage LEDs?

I have a different engine that is already upgraded to the Cruise Commander and was wondering how to do it for both forward and reverse as the prototype engine has.

Thanks in advance.

Remember, we were talking about the Cruise Commander M, which is the add-on cruise module for existing TMCC locomotives.  The Cruise Commander, used for a complete TMCC install, doesn't have ditch light outputs.  I added ditch lights to a couple of engines using the now extinct ERR Sound Converter board.  Adding ditch lights to TMCC Locomotives using the ERR Sound Converter

Nowadays, you could add one set of ditch lights using the AD20B OSC Ditch Light Board.  It takes a little bit of work, you have to supply 5VDC power and serial data, but you can have one set.  With some extra circuitry and two boards, you could have two sets of ditch lights, one for each direction.

John,

Thanks.  I'll have to get one of those (and two more for my engine).  For the power, it looks like your diagram shows that not only does it take the standard AC Hot/Common, it needs a +5V, which is no problem as I can take AC and convert it to DC +5V.  On that, do I need to connect the -5V anywhere?

I assume I can just split off the serial from the harness to the Soundboard from the Cruise Commander - is this correct?

Lastly, what is the voltage of the light connectors do I can make sure I get the correct voltage bulbs?

Thanks again.

You need a separate 5V supply, and it has a common to frame ground.

I use a power supply I make myself for tasks like this where I need a separate DC supply.  The serial data can be tapped off the Cruise Commander, but I don't know if that will impose too much of a load although it didn't when I used this board in a couple of builds.

Hey John,

I just ordered the board.  Do you know the voltage of the ditch lights coming off the board?

Also, do you have one of the 5V Power Supplies hanging around that I can purchase?  This is a Railking Engine and there is limited space to put a large one (I only have an AC to variable DC supply).

Thanks in advance.