Scratchingmy head on TCS CN-GP light issue

[ridinshotgun]

I installed a CN-GP decoder in an old atlas SD-9 and everything programmed out good and the decoder seems to be working fine with motor control but I have no lights.  Checked the CV's and the look correct for bright light in both directions, and I do get lights flashing when I program or read the CV's on the decoder.

But no lights at all when I run it.  What am I over looking here that might be wrong?  And I have reset the decoder and started from scratch but still no dice.

Any suggestions on what I might look at?  I don't think it is a wiring issue since I am getting flashing lights when it is reading or programming CV's and reads all of them without issue.  Is there a CV I might be overlooking that could be wrong and shutting the light function off?

[tehachapifan]

Do you get a rhythmic flashing on and off of the lights a couple of times when you first start to run the loco in either direction and then they go off? It's been a while, but I vaguely recall something like this with I think a TCS CN-GP and I think it had something to do with a speed step mismatch of some type.

[ridinshotgun]

Do you get a rhythmic flashing on and off of the lights a couple of times when you first start to run the loco in either direction and then they go off? It's been a while, but I vaguely recall something like this with I think a TCS CN-GP and I think it had something to do with a speed step mismatch of some type.

No, no flashing at all at start up.  Only get the flashing when programming or reading cvi's.

[tehachapifan]

Might want to see what's programmed into CV49 and 50 (and possibly CV29).

I bookmarked the following link a while back as it appeared to have some good info...

http://www.bromsgrovemodels.co.uk/TCSDecoderscvsettings.htm

[peteski]

First try a decoder reset. I think you write value of 8 in CV8 (but check the TCS manual to be sure)

[ridinshotgun]

First try a decoder reset. I think you write value of 8 in CV8 (but check the TCS manual to be sure)

I've actually done that twice now and has made no difference.  Using the JMRI software I can't write that CVI directly (it is locked), only the option in the menu bar to reset, and that has been done twice.

[peteski]

I've actually done that twice now and has made no difference.  Using the JMRI software I can't write that CVI directly (it is locked), only the option in the menu bar to reset, and that has been done twice.

Not sure if I understand. Is the entire decoder locked? I have not yet needed to play with locking down a decoder.

Do we really know what JMRI is doing when you select reset?  It would be nice to have a direct way to program the decoder (not blindly depending on JMRI).

[ridinshotgun]

Not sure if I understand. Is the entire decoder locked? I have not yet needed to play with locking down a decoder.

Do we really know what JMRI is doing when you select reset?  It would be nice to have a direct way to program the decoder (not blindly depending on JMRI).

No the decoder is not locked. Only that cvi which only allows you to factory reset TCS decoders, according the jmri gurus for some reason it is done through the reset option in the menu bar.

It is resetting when I do that becsuse it is bringing the address back to 3 and resetting the rule 17 function that I input back to the default settings of constant bright.

[peteski]

No the decoder is not locked. Only that cvi which only allows you to factory reset TCS decoders, according the jmri gurus for some reason it is done through the reset option in the menu bar.

It is resetting when I do that because it is bringing the address back to 3 and resetting the rule 17 function that I input back to the default settings of constant bright.

How about trying to configure F0F and F0R (the headlight outputs) to become some light effect (like a rotary beacon) and to be always on, independent of the function inputs (and see if the lights work)?  Assuming that this decoder is capable of that.

[MK]

Resetting TCS decoders is CV30 = 2.  CV8 = 8 won't work. 

Edit: Never mind, I see you were able to reset it with JMRI in Reply #7.

[Point353]

Resetting TCS decoders is CV30 = 2.  CV8 = 8 won't work. 

Is the information in the following links wrong?
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Technical_Info/Tech_Info/FAQPage.php?q=22

[peteski]

Is the information in the following links wrong?
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Technical_Info/Tech_Info/FAQPage.php?q=22

Well, I wasn't sure - that is why i mentioned "check the manual to be sure".  Whatever MK is doing in the JMRI he says that the decoder does appear to be reset. But I would still like to do the reset the old-fashion way - outside of JMRI.  I don't trust computers (um, the programmers who create buggy software).

[sp org div]

Did you try entering F0 on the throttle?
Sorry, but the basics have got all of us at least once in our lives....
Jeff

[MK]

Is the information in the following links wrong?
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Technical_Info/Tech_Info/FAQPage.php?q=22

I got it from the first post of this thread:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/166535.aspx

Could be outdated.  Though it's interesting that on TCS' website URL above, it says that their older decoders need a power cycle to complete the reset.  And that's what it says on the card.  A bunch of other websites (Trainboard, etc.) have links to this PDF.  I printed mine out and laminated it for reference.

So it looks like older TCS decoders require CV30=2 and power cycle while newer TCS decoders require CV8=2 with no power cycle needed.  Either way, you need to shove a 2 in there.  So how do you tell if what you have is old or new? 

[ridinshotgun]

I got it from the first post of this thread:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/166535.aspx

Could be outdated.  Though it's interesting that on TCS' website URL above, it says that their older decoders need a power cycle to complete the reset.  And that's what it says on the card.  A bunch of other websites (Trainboard, etc.) have links to this PDF.  I printed mine out and laminated it for reference.

So it looks like older TCS decoders require CV30=2 and power cycle while newer TCS decoders require CV8=2 with no power cycle needed.  Either way, you need to shove a 2 in there.  So how do you tell if what you have is old or new? 

I always do a power cycle on anything I reset but I think the old vs. new could be by the type of light ie led vs old bulb?  This decoder is brand spanking new though and replaced another decoder that got smoked (by my inattention to replace the klapton after reworking the motor wiring  ).

I have yet to get a chance to check the lighting CV's.  Hopefully I get some time tomorrow night to do it.