[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (scf1 @ 13 Sep 2008, 04:16) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I've recently converted my layout to DCC (using the Hornby Elite) and inserted Hornby 4 function decoders to 3 of my locos.

One of the three locos has lights (Hornby's recent class 60). Despite following the instructions carefully (including aligning the 'orange wire with the number 1 pin socket') and getting the locos moving OK, I cannot get the lights to work - they worked fine prior to conversion.

Can anyone help please?

Many thanks.

***There are two indications that the plug is in the wrong way. One is that lights do not work, the other that the loco will go in reverse when the controller indicates forward.

As you can't see the lights yet, orient the plug so it goes forward properly.

I note you are new to DCC - Sometimes even the simple things are not made all that clear because of weak instruction manual content.... Its perhaps a silly question, but did you turn the lights on with the controller?

Lights need to be turned on and off with DCC, although they are usually deafulted to reverse automatically once on.

Function zero is the light on/off function button.

Instructions for light control are not really shown at all in the Elite instruction book, however function control in general is shown on page 18.

Regards

Richard

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (Mike88 @ 14 Sep 2008, 22:46) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I have also problems with this system

I was given a large amount of Hornby Equipment to build a system for a friend

1 a complete DCC Hornby Pullman set, a Bachman Tank loco and a Hornby Decoder to fit, A Bachman Class20 fitted with decoder and sound
+ about 20 Hornby points of varoius types, and around 60 ft of flexi track

I programed all the locos on the Elites Programing track outlet , and then set up a long oval as a temp track to run them in
One by one they all run OK
With the 3 With Hornby decoders run Ok on he same circuit,
But if I put the Bachman Class 20 on the line, the sound functions operate never mind which controler is used ie: the class 20 is set with n°20 but if I select a function like the sound while N°3 is selected 5 (the tank loco) then the class 20 sound will stop or start dependind were it was set, also the class 20 will run, but none of the others

Has anyone any idear if you an only run Hornby decoders on a layout or can you run locos wth any type of decoder

The Whole prodject is now on hold till this problem is sorted

*** I note Ians comment, however operating functions shouldn't be a matter of operating sequence or selective dyslexia - it should be a one button push operation!

No matter what you do, whilst H have at last acknowledged NMRA standards with Elite, the way Hornby has designed this controllers control interface makes operating of functions inherently clumsy and frustrating.

This will always be apparent particularly with sound locos, as where a well designed programme needs one button to be pushed to sound a horn or ring a bell etc, Elite takes 3 actions... confusion and frustration very frequently result.

If use of sound loco's or operating functions are important, I would seriously consider E-baying the Elite and buying a high quality controller such as the NCE PowerCab... As the powercab will be about GBP100 in UK, you should get enough for the Elite to pay for it!

Powercab has a good concise manual, clear onscreen communication, exceptionally good programming abilities, much more instinctive overall control abilities than the Elite and one button access to all common functions. If the system grows to need more than half a dozen or so loco's running at once, then PowerCabs upgrade path for increased power is direct and waste free, as Powercab has the full function access of the big NCE system already built in.

Richard.

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (Mike88 @ 25 Sep 2008, 23:27) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>But still a problem with the class 20

N° 1 It runs the wrong way ( the others run in the correct direction )
N° 2 The lights will not operate

I suppose its not possible that Bachman Fitted the decoder in the wrong way round ?

***Mike

The no lights+direction is the exact symptom of decoder fitted wrong way round. take the top off and turn the decoder plug 180 degrees and all should be well.

Richard