Digitrax decoder dn163k1b question

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Just finished my first decoder install, in a Kato N scale AC4400. Still awaiting the actual dcc system via UPS.

Anyway, wanted to test the loco in dc, to make sure it still works. It moves fine, but the lights (front, rear, ditch), now all just quickly blink once when dc power is applied, and then aren’t on at all.

I.e., go forward, the forward and ditch lights blink quickly on, and then stay off. Go backwards, the reverse light does the same.

Couldn’t find any info in the manual or web about this; is this normal, until the loco is run via dcc ?

One good thing; no smoke came out [:)]

2

Quoting from page 19 of the Digitrax Mobile Decoder Manual:

“The first time you apply power to a Digitrax decoder equipped loco, if the lights blink on and off, there is a short in the installation! Remove the loco from the track immediately. Review the wiring and correct the short before continuing with the installation.”

This normally means that the lights blink on and off several times, not just once. Make sure the decoder is not touching the frame anywhere that it is not supposed to. If the loco runs OK, it may just mean that the decoder must be programmed before the lights will work properly.

It could also be a defective decoder – it has happened.

3

Yep, saw that manual quote earlier, but I don’t think that’s my situation, as it does just happen once.

Have recently been told that, yep, the lights need to be programmed via dcc first, then they’ll work on dcc or dc.

Thanks for the reply !