Inc Sound Module Decoder - Manual

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9.7 Troubleshooting FX effects

Common problems with FX set up are:

Trying to program a decoder for FX when the decoder does not sup-

port FX. Be sure the decoder you are installing has FX features.

Digitrax introduced FX in the summer of 1995 so if your decoder

was made before then it does not have FX capability. Since 1995 all

Digitrax premium decoders have included FX. Digitrax standard and

economy decoders do not have FX features.

FX effects don’t work as expected. Review the qualifiers you set up for

the effect. For example, if the effect is set up to come on only when

F1 and F0 are active and the loco is headed in the forward direction,

be sure you have met those conditions.

9.8 Setting Up A Master Light Switch with FX

Decoders

For FX

decoders F0 can be used as a master light switch to turn off all lights

in the locomotive when F0 if OFF. To do this, set up all functions so they are

ON when F0 is ON and OFF when F0 is OFF. See TABLE XII for master

light switch set up.

9.9 Lamp Selection For Prototypical Lighting Results

At the heart of realistic FX lighting effects is the selection of lamps that can

give realistic looking results. Adjusting the brightness and locating the lamps in

the model also have an effect on how realistic your installation will look.

Most modern locomotives use LEDs for lighting and over time the LEDs in

current use have gotten more realistic looking. Digitrax recommends using

incandescent lamps to achieve the most realistic lighting effects. Digitrax

Series 6 decoders give you the option to select whether to use the FX algorithm

that is best for LEDs or the one that is best for incandescent bulbs, this is set in

CV61 and is set to the LED setting at the factory since most current production

locos use LEDs.

For 1.5V lamps, a current setting resistor MUST be used in series with the +

voltage supply to the lamp. This is usually installed in series with the “white

or yellow” wire. For example operating on the DB150 “N scale” setting with

12V DCC signal on the track, we have found a resistor of approximately 500

ohms 1/4 watt gives 1.2mm lamps a good brightness level without shortening

their lives too much. With 1.5V lamps, the brightness level is very sensitive to

the resistor value. As you change the value of the resistor you will see that the

related change in lamp brightness is “non linear.” Running a few volts higher

will create too bright a light and degrade lamp life and lower voltages may

result in very dim lights.