Did a quickie install of NCE D13SRJ decoder in older P2K PA-1. As expected with decoder it runs even better than it did before. One thing that is out of the ordinary when using emergency stop the loco lights will blink similar to automobile hazard warning. I used a harness with 8 pin at one end and jst 9 pin connector at the other to adapt decoder to this install. I’m assuming unused wire from 9 pin connector on harness may be cause for this emergency stop flashing. I’ll check literature with decoder to look for clues. [?] [sigh] When it comes to decoders I’m a plug-n-play user so any suggestions as to what’s going on will be appreciated.
The extra wire in the harness is a function output and has nothing to do with the flashing lights. Flashing lights are an indication that the decoder is resetting itself to the factory default values, and usually means that there’s a problem with the locomotive.
Hmm, OK. I’ll check it out and see what may be going on. Problem with loco is confusing because it definitely runs better with decoder(of course per your response if decoder is resetting to default values it will run better than stock). I have a suspicion of what problem could be and if suspicion is correct I’ll let you know) Since decoder install is not finalized I’ll see if I have some loose ends that need to be tied down before finalizing.
I did a couple of these, however the ones I did did not have a Mars light and so were a bit simpler. I replaced the bulb with a Miniatronics Yelo-Glo LED and a 1K resistor. I completely bypassed the nutsey P2K circuit board - even on the one without a Mars light the circuit on that board was needlessly complex just to obtain constant brightness headlights. I simply pulled the truck and motor wires fromt he P2K board and soldered them to the decoder wires. If you cut them off they can be reattached to the original board and the loco completely restored to normal. For the Mars light, the decoder function does a FAR better job than that 2-filament bulb P2K uses. Bulbs are usually recommended for blinking and flashing functions but the NCE decoder does have a CV settings for using LEDs.
Flashing lights usually means the motor is not isolated, with Digitrax decoders. NCE’s directions don’t mention this feature but they might have it. The motor is definitely isolated physiclly in this loco, so if anything it might be a short between the track pickup wires and the motor leads - check where the wires soldered to the 8-pin connector. I haven’t tried hitting my e-stop with any of the NCE decoders on the track, maybe it’s normal.
Did go back and check engine decoder install. Since everything worked fine except emergency stop resulting in flashing headlight I had a feeling something wasn’t too messed up. Fiddled around, did eyeball on connections, checked for possibility of some kind of inadvertent short and somehow stumbled into the quick sand of CV29. I had set up decoder with a “not for primetime” decimal value. Changed value and got desired functionality without flashing headlight when in emergency stop. I did mention I’m a plug 'n play type, right?
Thanks for help. I’m going to print out for myself the myriad of DCC assists you and your peers post on forum. Probably only way I’m going to keep my head above the DCC waters. Good stuff, keep 'em coming. [:D] [tup][tup][tup]
I had screwed up value of functionality sums in CV29. Corrected CV29 entry and all is well. See my response to cacole this evening.
Your response is going into my personal “helpful hints log for making DCC work even when I do it myself”. Assists from forum members is allowing me to get a foothold on the slippery slope of DCC. Help is truly appreciated. [:D] [tup][tup][tup]