KB11 DH163 Series - Function Outputs

The DH163 series decoders are set up at the factory to control six function outputs. The DH163 is configured to control the forward and reverse lights on the locomotive through the white lead and yellow lead using Function 0 (F0F-forward and F0R-reverse) for directional lighting. Functions F1(Green) and F2 (Violet) are part of the harness for easy hookup. F3 and F4 are also available on the decoder board. These can be accessed by snipping the shrink wrap and peeling it back to expose the solder pads that control these functions: To use these functions, solder a wire from the pad ...

KB708 UT4 - Controlling Functions (Lighting, Couplers, Sounds, etc.)

UT4 Function Control Keys and How they WorkThere are 8 physical keys used to control functions F0-F12 on the UT4 throttle. F1 through F6 and F7-F12 share the same keys.  You will see F1-F6 in black print and F7-F12 in blue print to remind you that you will need to use the SHIFT key to access F7-F12. To use functions F7-F12 you must press and hold down the SHIFT key on the lower left row of the throttle as you press the F7 through F12 keys to activate any functions available on those functions. All the UT4 functions work like other Digitrax throttles. ...

KB517 Swapping front & rear headlights

Q: My front and rear lights on a steam locomotive (hard wired decoder installation) are connected in reverse. When the locomotive is going forward, the back up light comes on. When the locomotive is going in reverse, the forward light comes on. Can I reverse the lighting effects though programming the decoder or must I disassemble the locomoitve and physically swap the wiring to the lights from the decoder. A: Yes, you can do this with using function mapping in any Digitrax decoder Series 3 or later. If you have an earlier version decoder installed, you'll need to re-wire the ...

KB838 Zephyr - Function Operation Troubleshooting

If the function you want to operate does not respond, check the following:1. Is Track Status [4] on? If not press the POWER key to turn it on. 2. Did you select the correct loco? If not, select it now.3. Is the function you want to use installed in the loco? If not, you may need to install it. Most new locos have a head lamp/backup lamp installed, but most do not have any additional lights or sounds installed.4. Change the position of the Direction Control Lever and see if the lamp comes on in the other direction. If the ...

KB839 Zephyr - Making Function 3 Non-latching

The DCS50 Zephyr normally treats Function 3 as an on/off function unless you set it up as a non-latching function like Function 2. This means that F3 can be used either as a normal function operating as an "On / Off" switch, or to control a function that only requires a momentary activation like some couplers.To set up Function 3 as a non-latching function, set the DCS50’s Option Switch 6 to closed as follows:1. Press the PROG key. The last programming mode used by the DCS50 will be displayed.2. Press the SWITCH key. The display shows the last switch used ...

KB840 Zephyr - Functions F0-F8

DCS50 Zephyr can control Functions F0 - F8. Most DCC mobile decoders have function outputs that you can use to control lamps, LEDs, sound, smoke generators and other on/off devices installed in your locomotives. Most locomotives made today come with a head light and sometimes with a rear light, too. With DCC, these are controlled by the decoder’s function outputs. You can also install additional DCC controlled lighting such as cab lights, Mars lights, ditch lights, rotating beacons and others on your locos. The addition of these functions can add to the fun and realism of your locomotives.You must have ...

KB841 Zephyr - Functions

DCS50 Zephyr can control Functions F0 - F8. Most DCC mobile decoders have function outputs that you can use to control lamps, LEDs, sound, smoke generators and other on/off devices installed in your locomotives. Most locomotives made today come with a head light and sometimes with a rear light, too. With DCC, these are controlled by the decoder’s function outputs. You can also install additional DCC controlled lighting such as cab lights, Mars lights, ditch lights, rotating beacons and others on your locos. The addition of these functions can add to the fun and realism of your locomotives.You must have ...

KB907 Ditch Lights with FX Decoders

Flashing ditch lights can be set up with several CV's. Using 1.5 Volt Bulbs or LEDsIf you use 1.5 V bulbs, you must install a current setting resistor with a minimum value of 100 ohms for each bulb.Typically a 560 ohm 1/4 watt resistor works well for a grain of rice bulb and a 250 ohm 1/4 watt resistor works well for a grain of wheat bulb.Lower resistance values will increase the lamp brightness. If you use LED's be sure the polarity is correct when you hook them up & install a current setting resistor for each LED. Typically a ...

KB5 DN163A1 - Function Outputs

The DN163A1 is set up at the factory to control six functions. The unit is prewired with two golden-white LEDs set up for directional lighting as F0F/F0F+ for the front light and F0R/F0R+ for the rear light. Functions F1 (Green), F2 (Violet), F3 (Brown) and F4 (White/Yellow) can be used by soldering a wire from the pad for the function you wish to use to the lamp (or other function) you wish to control. The wire colors indicated are the standard color code used in the industry (you can use any color you like). These colors are important if you ...

KB728 DT402 & DT400 Series Throttles - Controlling Functions For Locomotives In A Consist

Even though an individual locomotive is part of a consist and you can’t control its speed and direction separately from the consist, you can still control its function outputs independently as follows:1. Press the LOCO Key and select the address of the locomotive that is a part of consist for which you want to control functions.2. Press the LOCO Key again to select the loco address to your throttle. The speed value will show “cn” to remind you that you can only control functions on the loco and not its speed.3. Use the steps described above to turn on or ...

KB302 DN163M0 - Function Outputs

The DN163M0 is set up at the factory to control six functions. The unit is prewired with one golden-white LED (shown in figure below) for the headlight and set up as Function 0 (F0F-forward). Function outputs F0F/Yellow, F1/Green, F2/Violet, F3/Brown and F4/White/Yellow are available on the decoder and can be used by soldering wires from the pads indicated to the lights (or other functions) you wish to control. CAUTION: When adding function wires, be very careful that the wires you add do not come into contact with any other pads or components on the board where they might create a ...

KB729 DT400 Series Throttles - Function Controls

The DT400 can control Functions 1 - 12.Note: DT400 can access F0-F12 when used with the DCS50 Zephyr or DCS100 Super Chief command station. DT400 can only access F0-F8 when used with a DB150 Super Empire Builder command station.To enter Fn (function) mode:1. Determine which throttle you want to control functions on and make it the active throttle by single clicking the throttle knob or by turning the throttle knob a couple of clicks.2. DT400’s numeric keypad is always active in function mode during normal loco operations. When the mode indicator on your DT400 shows Fn, simply press any number ...

KB600 Rule 17 Headlight Dimming

Rule 17 refers to how a locomotive engineer operates the locomotive's headlights while running the train. Rule 17 is part of a railroad's standardized rulebook.  Rule 17 varies from railroad to railroad. Typically, it requires dimming the headlight when the locomotive is standing in a siding waiting to meet another train, passing through passenger stations or moving within yard limits.  Program CV49 to 104 to set Function 0 to implement Rule 17 dimming.      

KB292 Features of Series 3 Decoders

 Digitrax Series 3 Decoders include the following features and more: FX3 Function Outputs Supersonic motor drive for quiet operation Support for all DCC programming methods One-Step decoder factory CV reset Motor isolation protection White or Golden Yellow LEDs on decoders that come equipped with LEDs Operations mode read back capability for CV read back on the main line

KB730 DT400 Series Throttles - Make F2 Latching or Non-latching

DT400 Series Throttles - Make F2 Latching or Non-latching The F2 button on the DT400 is meant to control locomotive whistles and horns, so it is configured to be "momentary" or non-latching.  This means that the key will activate the horn or other function for as long as you hold the key down and stop when it is released. This was done to facilitate the use of a playable whistle in sound decoders. If you are not using F2 for this purpose on your layout, you can change the way the F2 key on the throttle works so that it latches on and ...

KB27 DT402 - Controlling Functions

The DT402 Throttle will control up to 29 functions in walkaround and radio modes. When operating in IR Mode the DT402 series throttles will control up to 9 functions (F0-F8). The numeric keypad is always active in the normal Fn operation mode. The functions that are currently on for the active loco will be displayed on the top line of the DT402 display. The following figure shows an example of how the display looks when functions 0 and 1 are turned on for loco 1652 on the R Throttle. Controlling Functions F0-F12 1. Determine which throttle you want to control ...

KB156 DZ125 - Function Outputs

The DZ125 is set up at the factory to control two function outputs. The DZ125 is configured to control the forward and reverse lights on the locomotive through the white lead and yellow lead using Function 0 (F0F-forward and F0R-reverse) for directional lighting. Both function outputs can be easily set up with Digitrax FX3 lighting effects or as standard on/off functions with the following operational qualifiers: 1. Forward or Reverse direction of travel, or 2. Whether F0 is on or off, or 3. Both direction of travel and whether F0 is on or off, or 4. Whether the locomotive is ...

KB285 Mars Light in a Proto 2000 PA-1

I'm trying to install a DH123D decoder in a Life like P2K PA loco and make the mars light work. HELP! Because the DH123D is a two-function decoder (front headlight, rear headlight), it may not be the best decoder choice for this locomotive. In practice, some PA's had only one headlight, thus there would be no Mars light. The DH123D would be an appropriate choice for those locomotives. Typically, eastern railroads would just have one headlight; think Pennsy and Southern Railway. Western railroads, because of higher train speeds, often used warning lights such as the Mars Light or Pyle Gyra-Light; ...

KB933 Motor Isolation Protection FX & FX3 Decoders

FX3 decoders have motor isolation protection. If the decoder senses that the motor is not isolated, it will not run the motor. In this case, you will be able to control the loco’s functions but the motor will not work.FX decoders will blink the loco's lights when power is first applied to the decoder to warn you of a short circuit in your installation. If you see the lights blinking, immediately remove the loco from the track, locate the short circuit and correct the problem before proceeding. Do not leave the loco on the track with blinking lights because eventually, ...

KB160 Rotary Beacon for Athearn MP15 with DH163AT Decoder

I have a Athearn HO Scale MP15 Soo Line and have installed a DH166 decoder. How do I get the rotary beacon to flash? Function Outputs on the DH166 The DH166 is set up at the factory to control six function outputs. The DH163AT is configured to control the forward and reverse lights on the locomotive through the yellow lead and white lead using Function 0 (F0F-forward yellow and F0R-reverse white) for directional lighting. Functions F1(green) and F2 (violet) are part of the harness for easy hookup. F3 and F4 are also available on the decoder board. These can be ...

KB289 What are CS Functions?

CS (configurable strobes) are function outputs can be set up to be simple on/off functions or as single or double pulse strobes. The CS option was available in very early decoders where there were not enough resources to allow for full FX functions.

KB290 What are FX Functions?

Many locomotives feature warning lights that are designed to make a train more visible to the general public. FX Functions are function outputs that incorporate 4 FX generators for prototypical lighting effects such as Mars lights, ditch lights, Pyle Gyra-lights, rotating beacons, single and double pulse strobe lights, and random flicker.

KB291 What does FX3 Mean?

All current Digitrax mobile decoders have FX3: all function outputs incorporate FX generators for prototypical lighting effects full function re-mapping so you can choose which function (F0-F12) controls each function lead

KB356 DH165A0 - Headlight brightness

I am installing a DH165A0 in an Athearn SD70. The head light outputs are a nominal 30 ma (with the link cut). The bulbs were of course a bit lower in their current demands and were very bright for a short while. Is there any way to lower the current output from 30ma or do I need to add a resistor in line with the bulb to drop the voltage output? Of course if it is supposed to be a regulated current output this might be a problem. The DH165A0 has a constant current source for F0F and F0R, so ...

KB741 DT402 & DT400 Series Numeric Keypad

There is a numeric keypad on the DT402/DT400 throttle.  The numeric keys on the keypad are primarily related to the throttle mode shown in the LCD’s mode indicator area, but can be used for numeric entry and function control in other modes. For example, when the command station is in the Function Mode Fn, the numeric keys are used for function control. When the command station is in the Locomotive Mode,Lo, the numeric keys are used to enter loco addresses. When the command station is in the Switch Mode is Sw, the numeric keys are used to enter switch addresses.In ...

KB934 CV50- CV52, CV62-CV63 & CV113-CV116 FX3 Special Light Effects

Decoders with FX3 features have 8 user configurable, independent special effects generators.  All current production Digitrax Decoders use FX3 function features. These are set up by programming CV values as described below.  If your decoder is not a Series 3 decoder, please check the spec sheet to determine which type of functions it supports.FX3 functions incorporate FX generators with additional dynamic and static qualifiers.  FX3 functions are fully remappable so they can be controlled by any function key on your system.  A master light switch can be set up to turn off all lights on a locomotive. Functions associated with advanced ...

KB935 CV49-CV56 - FX Special Effects

Decoders with FX function features have 4 user configurable, independent special effects generators. All current production Digitrax Decoders use FX3 functions so this article is not applicapable to these decoders. CAUTION: Decoders with FX3 function generators use different CVs to control the decoder outputs. All current production Digitrax decoders use FX3 function CVs. Before using these CVs to program your decoders make sure that they are FX and not FX3 decoders.The Real FX effects are set up by programming CV values as described below.F1/F2 NOTE: If using DH142, DN142, DN141K2, DN149K2 series decoder, when F1 is set up for FX, ...

KB584 DCS100 - Firmware Update?

Q: I have the original DCS100 with the old style non-removable wire connectors. What would I gain with a firmware upgrade? A: Early DCS100s that do not access Functions 9 - 12. If you have a DCS100 that you would like to have updated, please send it to the Digitrax Repair Department for updating. This update is a chip change only and the original style connectors will not be changed to the new style connectors. The circuit boards used for the two different connectors are completely different and are not interchangeable. The DCS100 must be sent to us for this ...

KB941 CV49, CV50, CV61 - Setting Up Configurable Strobes

Configurable strobes are set up using CV's 49, 50 and 61. Configurable strobe function leads can be programmed with a limited number of simulated lighting effects similar to FX effects but without as many options. Configurable strobes are offered in those few Digitrax decoders where there was not enough "code space" to provide full FX features.CV49 controls F0 Forward, the white function lead. CV50 controls F0 reverse, the yellow function lead.CV61 enables the configurable strobe operation.To set up configurable strobe lights:1. Program CV61 with the CV value "01" to enable configurable strobe operation.2. Program the CV value for CVs 49 ...

KB430 DT400 - Strange Locomotive Lights

The headlights of my locomotive aren't acting properly. If you can’t control the operation of the lights in your locomotive with the DT400 (in default 128, or 28 speed step mode), be sure that the decoder is programmed in advanced 28 speed step mode. Do this by programming CV29 with a decimal value of 06.

KB943 Functions on Mobile Decoders

Digitrax decoders have outputs that can control lamps and other on/off devices installed in your locomotive.  These are called functions.  Functions are things like: lamps, sound units, smoke units, etc. All Digitrax decoders are equipped with two or more function outputs that are used to turn functions on and off.Decoder function outputs can be:1.   Leads (wires) attached to the decoder that are used to hook up external functions.  See Table I below for wire color codes used on Digitrax decoders.or2.   Pre-wired function outputs that hook up by just plugging in the decoder. This is the case for decoders that ...

KB177 Function Outputs for DN163A0

The DN163A0 is set up at the factory to control six functions. The unit is prewired with two golden-white LEDs set up for directional lighting as F0F/F0F+ for the front light and F0R/F0R+ for the rear light. Functions F1 (Green), F2 (Violet), F3 (Brown) and F4 (White/Yellow) can be used by soldering a wire from the pad for the function you wish to use to the lamp (or other function) you wish to control. The wire colors indicated are the standard color code used in the industry (you can use any color you like). These colors are important if you ...

KB370 LED Lights in Locomotives

I have this N-scale Proto A/B unit. I went to install the decoder in the A unit to the headlight, its an LED. My question is that once it was wired up and place on the track, I hit my headlight function and the light lit up then burnt out. This is my first wired decoder I ever installed with a head light. Can you tell me how to properly wire the led headlight to the DZ123 decoder so the light doesn't burn out? In looking at the DZ123 Decoder sheet, it suggests that I check the Decoder Manual for ...

KB254 DH165K0 - Function Outputs

The DH165K0 is set up at the factory to control six function outputs. The DH165K0 is configured to control the forward-headlight F0F/white lead and reverse-headlight F0R/yellow lead for directional lighting. These two headlight function leads are current regulated for LEDs or lamps, with factory setting of approx 15mA, with no resistors required. Cut the ADJ link to increase headlight current to approx 30mA- see fig 5. Functions F1 (Green), F2 (Violet), F3 (Brown) and F4 (White/Yellow) are full track voltage and can be used by soldering a wire from the pad for the function you wish to use to the ...

KB758 DT402 & DT400 Series Throttle Function Key

The FUNC Key is used to enter function control mode. Function control mode is the default mode for normal locomotive operation with the DT402/DT400 Series Throttles. Press this key during any throttle task to return to normal loco operation mode with function controls active on the numeric keypad.

KB901 Configurable Strobes CV49 & CV50-DZ121 Decoder

Configurable strobes are controlled with CV49 & CV50. CV49 controls the White Lead   CV50 controls the Yellow Lead The value programmed for each CV consists of 2 digits, the first digit controls the conditions under which the light will be active.1x=Reverse, if 1 is the first digit then the light will be on when the locomotive is in reverse2x=F0 Qualified, if 2 is the first digit then the function will be active when F0 is on and off when F0 is off4x=Direction insensitive, if 4 is the first digit then the function will be On in either directionThe second ...

KB709 UT4 - Consisting, MU'ing, or Multiple Unit Operations

Consisting is the action of linking more than one locomotive or power unit together to be controlled by a single locomotive address.  The UT4 is not capable of building or breaking up a consist.  This is handled by a throttle or computer program that is able to build and break up consists and then hand the consist off to the utility throttle operator.  Utility throttles are designed to be simple to use for operators on the railroad.  The UT4 CAN control a consist by selecting the address of the TOP loco in the consist.  It can also control the functions of locomotives within a consist.If ...

KB894 Proto 2000 E6/E7 Mars Light Installation

Remove the 8 pin dummy plug from Lifelike Proto 2000 light board.Before installing the decoder in the locomotive, unsolder the yellow wire from pin 2 and re-solder it to pin 3 (empty pin) on the decoder harness plug board.  We strongly recommend that you mark the decoder and/or harness so that you will remember that you have modified it.  If you use the decoder and/or harness modified in this manner in a different locomotive, your lights will not work correctly. Plug the decoder and harness into the light board in the locomotive.Program CVs as follows:  CV33 = 001, CV34 = ...

KB725 Functions Used for Sound Control

These are the Function buttons for sound control: