Installed ERR M Cruise Commander: problems with directional headlights

Since you stated that it was working before you installed the sound card, disconnect the sound card and test it.  Something must have changed after the sound board install that you missed so lets get back to step one where it was working and see.

Hello Joe,

Thanks for the suggestion.  I forgot to mention in my original posting that, although I had disconnected the sound card, the front and rear lamps still did not work properly.   Maybe there's a hidden reset that I can't find.

Rodger

Simple reprogram the board and use AUX1/8 for the engine type, that should reset the R4LC to directional headlights.  Also, if you have no lights, try simply hitting AUX2, that toggles the headlights on and off and is retained through power cycles.

Roger....Did you install a CC M or a CC Cruise commander? Your topic is CC M. CC M does not have a pin for rear headlight.

Richard

@Rppoind posted:

Roger....Did you install a CC M or a CC Cruise commander? Your topic is CC M. CC M does not have a pin for rear headlight.

Richard

I think the title is just wrong, it seems clear that he is using the CC.

That's what I thought also John. His post had no replies for a long time. I have not done a conversion on a Williams But I assume it is a conventional engine. I think the lights were still wired as original when he first tested the Cruise Commander and lights worked. He mentioned an error flash after he installed the Sound Commander. Hopefully aux1/8 got things working.

Richard

I figure either proper programming or turning the lights on with AUX2 is all that's required.

Hello John,

Thank you for the recommendation.  I did the following:  (1) I moved the program switch to "program," (2) pressed the horn button, (3) selected 80 as the ID, (4)  pressed SET; (5) pressed AUX1 followed by 8 (i.e., AUX1 + 8); moved the program switch to "run."   The engine gave the confirmation horn blasts.  This resetting procedure did not change anything.  I had already tried AUX2 for the headlight on/off function.  The cab light feature (n = 6) works.  The front headlight flashes when I use AUX1 + 0,

I attached the cover page and reset page from the instructions that I'm using, i.e., ERR CC for DC flywheel motors.  According to the ERR instructions, AUX1 + 8 selects a feature.

Also, I photographed the R4LC board (C08-S01) that came with the CC board.  See below.  Furthermore, I tried an R4LC (08 LT-ERR CC ) that came with a board for AC Motors - Twin Motors Lionel AC Open Frame Motors.  See below.  The 08 LT-ERR CC changed nothing.

When I replaced the 08 LT-ERR CC  in my CC for AC motors, everything worked, except the engine does not move now.  All other functions still work.  So I created another problem.  Maybe, I've damaged both R4LC boards.

I agree that this should be some sort of simple reset; however, I must be overlooking something.  Also, now I have an 08 LT-ERR CC board that either needs resetting or replacement.  I tried the 32 and 128 set up sequences on the 08 LT-ERR CC, but the motors still not work.

As I mentioned earlier, I think have installed numerous ERR and EOB boards without problems.  In fact, when I installed the current board, I got the polarity of the motors correct on the first try.

Yes, I've checked all wiring multiple times in each engine.  The R4LC boards a firmly and correctly seated.

I'm frustrated because I've just never had these problems before.

Thanks,

Rodger (with a "d")

Dumb question:  Are you using LED's?  If so, do you realize that the lighting outputs are negative in respect to frame ground?  You have to run the positive side of the LED to frame ground, the negative side goes to the lighting output.

Hi John,

The lights in the Metroliner are incandescent.  I wired an red LED light to the driver board cab socket and it illuminates when the engine is in reverse, which is want I want.  No combination of resets worked for the Metroliner or FM Trainmaster.

Unless there other reset procedures that might work, I'll stop bashing my head against a brick wall.

Here are two possible next steps:

(1) Have a technician at hobby shop, e.g., you at Henning's, test the R4LC boards.  Specifically, I would send them to you.  After you evaluate them and somehow reset them, I would obviously pay for the labor and return postage.  I am aware that I might prepay for the labor.  I'm assuming that the driver boards are undamaged.

(2) Or maybe it's just easier and more time/cost effective to buy appropriate new R4LC boards.  At this point, I'm leaning towards this choice.  Does Henning's sell the correct boards for the two engines?

I shouldn't have swapped the R4LC board from the Trainmaster to the Metroliner.  I just wanted to see if a different R4LC board would work in the Metroliner.  Apparently, a stupid idea on my part.

Staring intently at the boards didn't solve the problems either.  LOL  I don't know about you or other people, but for some reason, I think that looking intently at a malfunctioning board or other model train feature, the problem will be magically cured.

Thanks,

Rodger

I sent you a PM on the topic.