I purchased an Atlas HO SD-26 gold series loco with the e dmd decoder already installed. Being the novice that I am, I was told it was set up with flashing ditch lights and strobe. I guess I was taken in. Two things if anyone can answer, is this set up for these options. and can anyone help me break it down. I don’t want to damage the loco and it didn’t come with any diagrams. I am new to this and would rather ask than to damage the loca.
Thanks for your help
Bill
It’s F0, the number zero. Way back some DCC systems called it FL, the L being ‘lights’ but in the DCC standards it’s F0-F12. The 0 key should have a little light bulb by it to signify that this controls the lights. Convention is F0 for lights, F1 for bel and F2 for horn, and most DCC systems mark their controllers as such. But this is only a convention, not a requirements, and most DCC decoders can be reprogrammed to activate any function on any key.
–Randy
function 0 is always the headlights unless you change it. If the locomotive does not have sound then the ditch lights and beacon should be somewhere between functions 1-5. If it does have sound, just try all the functions and see what happens because its anyones guess.
I don’t believe the beacon and ditch lights are actually on these models. At least, the product description does not mention it, other than to say that many railroads equipped their units with air conditioners and flashing beacons. I’d think if they were actually operable, it would be mentioned. The Dash 8-40W’s have workign ditch lights and the product page on Atlas’s site specifically says so. Atlas includes a nice manual in their sound locos - if it is equipped with operating ditch lights, all the information should be in there. If you didn’t get the manual, complain to your dealer. I have one of the Trainmasters and it had a quite comprehensive manual with it explaining the functions and some basic configuration, as well as how to take it apart.
The SD-26, like the other Atlas Gold Series locos, uses QSI sound - on the QSI site (http://www.qsindustries.com) is THE manual - over 125 pages ina PDF file that explains every detail of QSI decoder programming. Best stick with the Atlas manual until you really want to get in deep, the QSI manual is a technical explanation of every feature of the decoders, not exactly an easy how-to.
–Randy
from your posts I see you were looking at a Digitrax Zephyr, did you buy one or are you running your atlas loco on DC. The ditch lights flashing will probably only work on DCC it’s a function button thing.
Ken.
This example is from an Atlas sound equipped B40-8W, yours might be the same.
F0, light–on
direction must be forward, and engine moving
F2, horn press.
the ditch lights will flash as long as the horn is pressed or maybe 7/8 times after it is released
If you are still having problems, do you have the “magic wand” performing a (master reset) returns the decoder to its factory presets. This seems to be the super cure all option , I have 2 BLI steam, a diesel, and the Atlas unit. Everytime I’ve come across a problem a reset has always saved the day.
hope this helps