Lighting Effects

Available Lighting Effects

This table below contains a list of all of the lighting effects available on TCS Non-sound decoders of recent production (2012 or newer) and WOWSound Version 4 decoders. If your decoder is older than 2012 or Version 4, some of the items may not apply.

These lighting effects can be used in conjunction with the Function Remapping instructions. You can also consult our Support Page for Decoder Lighting for more information.

Lighting Effects (WOWSound V4 & Non-Sound V88+)

Lighting Effect	Forward	Reverse	Both Dir.	Description
Auto Mars Light	13	29	45	The Auto Mars light has a light pattern like a "sideways number 8" (∞ pattern) when in a certain speed range.
Brake Lights	14	30	46	Brake Lights come on when the Brake Button is pressed. They can be configured to be On/Off or On/Dim using CV 61.
Constant Bright Light	0	16	32	Constant Bright Light is a standard lighting feature which turns On or Off with the push of a button.
Constant Dim (1)	12	28	44	Constant Dim Lights can be used to turn down the brightness of lights (such as Number Boards) without having to add in additional resistance to drop the voltage or brightness. Constant Dim outputs can also be used to drive other devices such as relays, small motors, etc. where the power needed is less than maximum the output can provide. Each Constant Dim lighting effect can be individually adjusted for multiple applications while using the same decoder.
Constant Dim (2)	66	82	98
Constant Dim (3)	67	83	99
Constant Dim (4)	68	84	100
Ditch Light Side A	10	26	42	Ditch Lights are lights installed in pairs on the front and/or back of a locomotive. Some railroads require these lights to flash in an alternating pattern in certain conditions, such as when the horn blows. See Setting Up Ditch Lights for more info.
Ditch Light Side B	11	27	43
Double Pulse Strobe 1	5	21	37	An intermittent strobe light which pulses twice rapidly at a specified interval.
Double Pulse Strobe 2	64	80	96	An intermittent strobe light which pulses twice rapidly at a specified interval.
Flashing Light	3	19	35	An intermittent light output which turns on and off with a specified frequency. Example: E.O.T./F.R.E.D. devices.
Gyra Light	7	23	39	Gyra Lights were used as a warning device on locomotives and have a distinct movement pattern.
Mars Light	2	18	34	Same as the Auto Mars effect, but does not automatically shut off after reaching a set speed.
Random Flicker (1)	1	17	33	The Random Flicker lighting effect can be used to simulate the light emitted by fire, such as in a steam locomotive firebox.
Random Flicker (2)	65	81	97	Can be combined with Random Flicker 1 to add more randomness, or additional colors for your firebox flame.
Rotary Beacon	6	22	38	Simulates a light which has a rotating reflective shield inside which directs and blocks light while it spins.
Rule 17 Dimmable	8	24	40	(AKA Rule 5.9.1-5.9.4) specifies operational instances where lights should be dimmed. See Setting Up Rule 17 for more info.
Single Pulse Strobe (1)	4	20	36	An intermittent strobe light which pulses once at a specified interval.
Single Pulse Strobe (2)	15	31	47	An intermittent strobe light which pulses once at a specified interval.
Disable Output*	255			*Using a value of 255 in the lighting effect CV will disable the output from coming on for any reason.

Use a single value from one of the three columns on the right to program a Lighting Effect CV. The value chosen will select the Lighting Effect and Direction the light will be active in. For example, a value of 80 programmed into CV 51 will set up the Double Pulse Strobe effect when Lighting Function 1 when the function is ON and the locomotive is in Reverse.

Lighting Effect CV's

The CV's listed in the table below will configure the Lighting Effect for the specified Lighting Output.

Lighting Effect CV's (WOWSound V4 & Non-Sound V88+)

Lighting Output	CV to Program
Function 0 Forward	CV 49
Function 0 Reverse	CV 50
Function 1	CV 51
Function 2	CV 52
Function 3	CV 53
Function 4	CV 54
Function 5	CV 55*
Function 6	CV 58*
Function 7	Not supported
Function 8	Not supported

Program a value from the previous table into the CV listed in this table to apply a Lighting Effect to that Lighting Output. Not all of these lighting function outputs and corresponding CV's are supported on all decoders. Check your decoder literature or the product page on our website to verify the maximum number of lighting function outputs your decoder supports.

*The CV's marked may not be supported on specific decoders. While these outputs may be present, they may not support mapping of lighting effects and are ON/OFF only. Check your decoder literature - If these CV's are not listed in the literature, they are not supported by the decoder.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Lighting Effects set up using the tables above are tied to the Lighting Output and NOT the Button number. Lighting Outputs and numbered buttons are completely different things. See our Support Article for Lighting for more information.

Lighting Effects on DC Power

On DC power, a TCS decoder (with DC mode enabled in CV 29) will operate all of the lighting outputs which have been enabled in CV 13 and CV 14. Each enabled output will also output the lighting effect it has been configured for, as described above. Ergo, a lights such as strobes, rotary beacons, mars lights, etc. will operate on a DC track just as they would on a DCC track, including direction-ally.

Lighting Effects

DC Mode Lights F1-F8 Range of Values 0-255 Accepted Values 0-255 Default Value 255

NMRA CV 13 - Alternate Mode Function Status F1-F8

CV 13 configures the active/inactive status for each lighting function output (F1 through F8) when the unit is operating in alternate power (DC) mode, which cannot control the functions. If a function cannot be controlled, then the corresponding bit is ignored.

If the bit for a function output is "cleared," this indicates the function is disabled on DC power. If the bit for a function output is "set," this indicates the function output is enabled on DC power. This configuration affects the physical outputs on the decoder, not the button numbers! If you have remapped a lighting output to a different button, that will not affect this configuration. Note also that you must set up this CV to use the correct lighting outputs, not button numbers.

NOTE: If a lighting output has been programmed with a lighting effect, such as a Mars light, that feature will continue to operate while on DC power.

CV 13 is a bitwise CV, where each bit corresponds to a different setting/feature. Bit 0 corresponds to F1, while Bit 7 corresponds to F8. See the chart below:

CV13 - DC Mode Lights
Bit	Feature	Value	Default
0	Function 1	1	ON
1	Function 2	2	ON
2	Function 3	4	ON
3	Function 4	8	ON
4	Function 5	16	ON
5	Function 6	32	ON
6	Function 7	64	ON
7	Function 8	128	ON

The SUM of the desired functions active while operating in DC mode must be programmed into CV 13. A value of 255 enables all light functions on DC power.

Lighting Effects

DC Mode Lights F0 & F9-F12 Range of Values 0-63 Accepted Values 0-255 Default Value 255

NMRA CV 14 - Alternate Mode Function Status F9-F12

CV 14 configures the active/inactive status for each lighting function output (F9 through F12, & FL) when the unit is operating in alternate power (DC) mode, which cannot control the functions. If a function cannot be controlled, then the corresponding bit is ignored.

If the bit for a function output is "cleared," this indicates the function is disabled on DC power. If the bit for a function output is "set," this indicates the function output is enabled on DC power. This configuration affects the physical outputs on the decoder, not the button numbers! If you have remapped a lighting output to a different button, that will not affect this configuration. Note also that you must set up this CV to use the correct lighting outputs, not button numbers.

NOTE: If a lighting output has been programmed with a lighting effect, such as a Mars light, that feature will continue to operate while on DC power.

CV 14 is a bitwise CV, where F0 in the forward direction is controlled by bit 0, F0 in the reverse direction is controlled by bit 1, bit 2 corresponds to F9, and Bit 5 corresponds to F12. See the chart below:

CV14 - DC Mode Lights
Bit	Feature	Value	Default
0	Function 0 FWD	1	ON
1	Function 0 REV	2	ON
2	Function 9	4	ON
3	Function 10	8	ON
4	Function 11	16	ON
5	Function 12	32	ON

The SUM of the desired functions active while operating in DC mode must be programmed into CV 14. A value of 255 enables all light functions on DC power.

Consist Lighting Effects Configuration

When the decoder is in a CV 19 consist, the available function buttons can be enabled and disabled. For non-sound decoders, disabling a button number will disable any lighting effects tied to that function button. For WOWSound decoders, these CV's will disable sound functions in Sound Mode, and light functions in Light Mode.

Lighting Effects

Consist Light Control (F1-F8) Range of Values 0-255 Accepted Values 0-255 Default Value 0

NMRA CV 21 - Consist Lighting Control for Function 1 Through Function 8

This CV is used to configure what functions will respond to user input on the consist address. This particular CV affects F1-F8. For each Bit which is set, that the function will respond to instructions addressed to the consist address ONLY. Each bit which is cleared indicates that the function will only respond to instructions addressed to the locomotive's individual address. F1 is controlled by bit 0; F8 by bit 7.

To determine which functions are active, use the table below and combine the values of the functions you would like to have active, and program the sum into CV 21. By default, all functions are active on the consist address.

NOTE: WOWSound decoders prior to Version 5 and all non-sound decoders will always have all functions available on the Base Address. This CV, as well as CV 22 can be used only to deny the use of a function while in a consist when the consist address is selected.

Bit	Feature	Value	Default
0	Function 1	1	Control on Base Address
1	Function 2	2	Control on Base Address
2	Function 3	4	Control on Base Address
3	Function 4	8	Control on Base Address
4	Function 5	16	Control on Base Address
5	Function 6	32	Control on Base Address
6	Function 7	64	Control on Base Address
7	Function 8	128	Control on Base Address

Related:

• Consist Address
• Consist Lighting (Part 2)
• Consist Acceleration Adjustment
• Consist Deceleration Adjustment
• Dual Prime Mover Delay

Lighting Effects

Consist Light Ctrl. (F0, F9-F12) Range of Values 0-63 Accepted Values 0-255 Default Value 0

NMRA CV 22 - Consist Lighting Control for Function 0 and Function 9 through Function 12

This CV is used to configure what functions will respond to user input on the Consist Address. This particular CV affects F0 and F9-F12. For each Bit which is set, that function will respond to instructions addressed to the consist address. Each bit which is cleared indicates that the function will only respond to instructions addressed to the locomotive's base address. F0F is controlled by Bit 0, F0R by Bit 1, F9 by Bit 2, and F12 by Bit 5.

To determine which functions are active, use the table below and combine the values of the functions you would like to have active, and program the sum into CV22.

Bit	Feature	Value	Default
0	Function 0 Forward	1	Control on Base Address
1	Function 0 Reverse	2	Control on Base Address
2	Function 9	4	Control on Base Address
3	Function 10	8	Control on Base Address
4	Function 11	16	Control on Base Address
5	Function 12	32	Control on Base Address

Related:

• Consist Address
• Consist Lighting (Part 1)
• Consist Acceleration Adjustment
• Consist Deceleration Adjustment

Related

• Support - Lighting
• Light Function Remapping