Digitrax TF4 function only and alternating ditch lights?

[craigolio1]

Hey all. I'm part way through fitting a TF4 in a N Scale Bombardier cab car and plan to use the 4 functions for:

Head lamp
Marker lights
Alternate flashing ditch lights.

I should have checked before getting into this but can alternating flashing ditch lights be done with this decoder and if so which wires do I use?

Thanks.

Craig.

[C855B]

No mention of ditch lights in the TF4 instructions. Of further concern, the only discussion of lighting effects is for the white and yellow leads, and by extension of the "standard" wire color code, that corresponds to front and rear headlights separately and not a pairing. Unfortunately, the "decoder manual" they link to on the product page is Digitrax' generic manual for all decoders.

In short, I would hazard a strong guess the TF4 doesn't have ditch light functions. Headlight would be white or yellow wire (yellow if you want it to function normally as a "reverse" relative to the locomotive on the other end of the train), markers would be on the green and/or violet wires for on/off control, no effects available.

Ngineering.com has a ditch lights simulator board you could possibly use to at least recover your investment in the TF4.

[RBrodzinsky]

No, the TF4 is not one of Digitrax's FX or FX^3 decoders.  The green and violet wires (Aux1 and Aux2) are only on/off functions. 

You could play around with the lights, putting the headlamp and red class lights on Aux1 and Aux2, and put the ditch lights on the white & yellow wires (F0(F) and F0(R)), and set those to different flashing rates, but then they will always be flashing. No way to have them only flash when, say, F2 is pressed for horn/grade crossing.

[craigolio1]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Well that sucks.

Can I put a motor decoder in this car with no motor?

Craig

[RBrodzinsky]

Sure, but you would still need one that supports 4 full function outputs.   I'm in the middle of the same install for my cab-cars, and am using the ESU LokPilot Nano-FX.  It actually has 6 function outputs. You can see some of my current discussion on this decoder here https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=42656.0

[craigolio1]

Awesome! I'll check thatout, thanks.

Anyone know if TCS's function decoder will do it?  I imagine that it would be cheaper than the Loksound.

Craig

[RBrodzinsky]

Yes, the FL4 will do it. And they do look to be about $12 less expensive. The TCS is significantly larger, at 14x9x3 mm, vs the ESU 8x7x3mm, but if it is the only thing in there, shouldn't be a problem.

[craigolio1]

Space is something Inhave lots of in this instal.

Thanks.

Craig.