bachmann class 108 lighting

QUOTE (TimP @ 18 Feb 2008, 19:16) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I have just unboxed a bachmann class 108 the 32900A - the ones with the headcode boxes. I fitted a lenz silver decoder in the motor car, and left the trailer car unfitted with (thinking I might put a DCC Sound decder in sometime of which another post int the future) - anyway the light behaviour I get gives me two problems -

a> The interior lights only seem to give me three pools of light - see attached photo - with the middle of each coach unlit.

b> the trailer headcode is NEVER lit.

Is this behaviour as expected?

motor end -
View attachment 354

trailer end -
View attachment 355

Hi,

You will need a second decoder for the trailer, with CV29 given a value of +1 to that of the leading car. Example, Address of the car is 928, then set CV17 at 928, for both decoders, CV29 for first car would be 38, CV 29 for second car is 39. Don't alter the lighting CV's unless you want to have a play with them, but always note the CV's before you change them.

With these settings I always have the Headcode showing at both ends, interior lights are as you describe (Bachmann design feature!), when the leading car is going forward the side lamps are amber, the trailing car shows red lamps; when I reverse direction the leading car becomes the trailer and shows red lamps, the trailer becomes the leading car showing amber lights.

As for choice of decoder, I use the TCS MC4 for the motorised unit and the MC2 for the trailer. I setup the MC2 on the motorized unit initially. An alternative is the TCS FL2/4 decoder, specially designed for the lighting job.

Incidentally, I work with a ZTC511 controller, some 3+ yrs old.

Hope this helps.

Hugh Williams.

QUOTE (TimP @ 19 Feb 2008, 12:22) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>thanks to both.

Tim

Tim,

Just remember that one car's decoder has to be setup with CV29 with a value of +1 to the other, as one car is going forwards, the other going in reverse (at the same time), as far as the decoders are concerned, so the lighting will adjust accordingly. I probably phrased it incorrectly in my first post, set the trailer's CV29 to +1 when setting it up in the powered car, then move it to the trailer. After that setup the powered car's decoder with the default values, or what suits your taste.

Regards,

Hugh

QUOTE (jim s-w @ 20 Feb 2008, 18:44) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hiya

One little thing to bear in mind - Green DMU's never had tail lights. They carried an oil lamp instead. The fitting of read tail lamps came much, much later and then usually only one side was lit.

Similar rule applies to Loco's - A light loco would carry a tail light, they didn't have built in red lights and if they did (warship - one red one white) they were for use during shunting not on the main line. It was very late into the 80's possibly the 90's before both tails were lit on loco's

Cheers

Jim
Thanks Jim,

Good one, possibly Bachmann like the effects and use them as selling points (It has great visual effect on a darkened layout).

One thing I have thought about is why can't manufacturer's such as Hornby and Bachmann, and, now Heljan, make PCB's and associated wiring dcc friendly so that all you do is set your CV's to control lights in prototypical fashion. I don't know what the general views on this idea would be.

I suppose that re the Class 108, the pools of light in the passenger compartments might be prototypical as some ran with faulty/damaged lights!

Cheers,

Hugh