Ditch Light Problem

After you press "AUTO", press the thumbwheel before pressing "ENG".

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OK, I tried Barry's remedy, and it did not work.  For some additional information, I tried just pressing the "ON" and "FLS" keys, and the lights did what they were supposed to do before I pressed the thumbwheel.  So I guess I'm back to square one.  Also, my TIU is labelled REV 13 on the back.

Since it's extremely unlikely that this is a hardware issue, there are really only 2 things that you can try doing:

• Replace the engine's sound file with one that's posted on MTH's web page for the engine. If this is a PS3 engine as opposed to a PS2 engine (you didn't specify), you should also replace the engine's firmware (Chain File).
• Upgrade to DCS 5.0.

Barry, I get the same results with both PS2 and PS3 engines, so I'll try to go with DCS 5.0 and see what happens.  Thanks for all the help so far.

Wow, I'm missing or reading something wrong here?

Isn't that how the Auto setting should work?

On, means there on and flash when the horn is pressed, right?

A PS3 engine shuts the lights off when parked until the engine moves. So they come on, when the engine moves and they're set to "on".

If the behavior is common to all of the engines, I suspect something is configured wrong.  What Barry said sounds right, can't imagine why they're not working properly on all engines!

Have you tried the engines on a different layout?

I have two PS3 engines. With ditch lights set to on, They act just as ENGINEER-JOE describes, off until moving and flashing with the horn. I don't have to use the  thumbwheel to change. As soon as I select a soft key they turn on or off. The ditch light commands have always been different. Other commands go back to the engine screen when you select and press the thumbwheel.

I think I see the issue for me. I didn't have my remote in hand. I thought the auto setting turned them on only while sounding the horn. The DCS manual says the opposite. So I need to go get a remote. I'm really busy right now so maybe somebody else confirm what (John H and) I have said.

Not to stray from the subject but my PS2 engines that have ditch lights mounted on the rear also, i.e., NS and CN are on when the front ditch lights are on. They flash when the front ditch lights do. However, when the engine is operating in reverse the rear ditch lights go out and the rear headlight is on. I'd like to have the rear ditch lights operating only in reverse but the wiring appears to be part of the front ditch lights. Anyone have the same problem?   

Paul,

my PS2 engines that have ditch lights mounted on the rear also, i.e., NS and CN are on when the front ditch lights are on. They flash when the front ditch lights do.

To which PS2 engines are you referring?

I wasn't aware that any PS2 engines have true, functioning rear ditch lights. My PS2 Premier Genset has rear ditch lights that are on in reverse, however, they don't flash at all and operate more like additional headlights.

PS3 engines, such as my ALP46, do have true, functioning rear ditch lights. However, due to Rule 17 lighting for PS3 engines, each set is only on and functional when the engine is moving in that direction, and off when the engine is stationary.

Thanks Barry you answered my question. I guess MTH did not intend for the rear ditch lights to function according to rule 17 on PS2 engines. I'll leave well enough alone on my NS and CN units.

Auto setting only flashes the lights when horn is used on my remote. They are off when not using the horn.

WB Trainman posted:

While running my SD-70 Ace's with DCS, I'm noticing that the ditch lights remain off when the engines are moving.  The lights do flash when I blow the horn, then turn off.  I'm attempting to change this to the AUTO in the Control menu.  I go to the Control menu, then to Ditch Lights, and then press the key for AUTO, then press ENG to return to the main control screen.  However, this does not cause the lights to change.  Am I doing something wrong?  I'm using DCS 4.3 

This is how they work.   If you want them on all the time, press ON.  They still flash when you blow the horn.   G

The PS/2 board only has one set of ditch light outputs, so there can only be one truly functional set of ditch lights, and they work in forward.  The PS/3 board can support bi-directional ditch lights.

I do believe some PS-2 engines have doubled up bulbs.  Ditch 1 has one bulb in front and long wire to second bulb in rear.  Same with ditch 2.  That results in front and rear ditch lights functioning together.  G

Right, I don't consider that "truly functional" George.   I have seen one with the double ditch lights in the past, but I wasn't all that enamored by that solution.

MTH should have made the PS2 engines with ditch lights on the front and rear operate individually. Given the number of roads equipped that way I guess they chose not to. 

Let's not forget this was built in 2000 time frame not sure we where fully there yet with all those independent type light configurations.  I understand the hardware configuration prevented it.  PS-3 did correct it.  G

On the plus side, the TMCC stuff of the same vintage had far fewer lighting outputs.