Walthers Proto SD9 -- manual headlight control

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Hello all

Engine: Walthers Proto SD9 (CR) with Tsunami decoder

DCC: Roco z21 (white)

Software I have:

JMRI Decoder Pro (on a Mac)

z21 app

Default setup:

F4 - Dynamic Brake (sound)

F5 - unassigned

F6 - number boards

F7 - Dimmer switch

F9 - unassigned

What I want to do:

Assign F5 to one headlight

Assign F6 to the other headlight

AND - DE-activate “automatic headlight control” (i.e., “directional” control)

I’d also like to keep F7 as the dimmer switch (for one headlight or both, not important).

In other words, I want to control the F and R headlights “completely manually” (as I did on the full-sized locomotives I ran for 32 years).

What I’ve accomplished so far:

I was able to use the Function Map of Decoder Pro to reassign number board lights from F6 to F4. Works ok.

I was able to re-assign Dynamic Brake sounds from F4 to F9. Works ok.

This leaves F5 and F6 open.

But I find Decoder Pro’s “lighting” pane to be, well, incomprehensible.

I believe the 2 CV values I need to change are:

CV 49

CV 50

Is there any way to assign these to the function keys F5 and F6

2

Per the chart on page 25 of the Diesel User’s Guide, I don’t think it is possible to do what you want. Not all function outputs can be controlled by all function keys. The chart shows which ones are possible. It appears the white and yellow wires can only be controlled by F0, F1, or F2.

CV49 and CV50 control the effects on the white and yellow wires, but CV33-46 control what function button controls what.

–Randy

3

RE: " The chart shows which ones are possible. It appears the white and yellow wires can only be controlled by F0, F1, or F2." In that case, would it be possible to assign front/rear headlights to the F1 and F2 keys? Assuming I could re-assign functions already assigned to those keys elsewhere?

4

Yes, you could do that. The only potential issue is that F2 is the horn and on most DCC systems is set as a momentary function, and the others are almost all latching.

However, you really only need F0 and F1 buttons, the bell can be moved from F1 to somewhere else. But if you look at the chart, there aren’t many options for the bell, either.

–Randy