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 Effect | Forward | Reverse | Both Dir. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Mars Light | 13 | 29 | 45 |
| Brake Lights | 14 | 30 | 46 |
| Constant Bright Light | 0 | 16 | 32 |
| Constant Dim (1) | 12 | 28 | 44 |
| 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 Light Side B | 11 | 27 | 43 |
| Double Pulse Strobe 1 | 5 | 21 | 37 |
| Double Pulse Strobe 2 | 64 | 80 | 96 |
| Flashing Light | 3 | 19 | 35 |
| Gyra Light | 7 | 23 | 39 |
| Mars Light | 2 | 18 | 34 |
| Random Flicker (1) | 1 | 17 | 33 |
| Random Flicker (2) | 65 | 81 | 97 |
| Rotary Beacon | 6 | 22 | 38 |
| Rule 17 Dimmable | 8 | 24 | 40 |
| Single Pulse Strobe (1) | 4 | 20 | 36 |
| Single Pulse Strobe (2) | 15 | 31 | 47 |
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.
| Function Number | 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.
Contents
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.
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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.
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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.
