K-Line F3 MARS Light Not Working

My K-line ABA F3 set has the headlight and marker lights controlled by the TMCC board in the lead A unit, and the MARS lights in each A unit have their own boards that run off track power.  If track voltage is too low, the MARS lights may not work.  Try increasing track voltage in neutral and see if they light.

Bob

Thank you Bob for your reply.  Adding more track power does not help. I examined one MARS light more closely and the filament seems to be fine. Could this be a programming issue? Can you direct me to the codes for this engine? I have the original CAB-1 system but have not used it yet.  Also what is the switch labeled "SS" for?  

Joining the OGR Forum was great to learn how things work.

Craig

If you have a friend with TMCC try addressing the loco on the track and pushing AUX1-9. That turns the mars light on and AUX1-8 turns it off.

Assuming the electronics are original, Bob called it. The mars light is a separate board not controlled by the R2LC. TMCC has only one feature output and in this engine its programmed (or should be) programmed to turn the smoke unit on and off. To have the R2LC control the Mars light you would have rewire it, then change the feature code. Changing the feature code now would just pulsate the smoke unit.

Pete

There may be different versions. The mars light in mine is controlled by the R2LC. The loco is programmed as a diesel and the same output that is used for smoke on a steam engine is used for the mars light on my diesel. I erred in my original post. The mars light is turned on or off by AUX1-8 or AUX1-9.

Are we confusing K-Line with MTH PS-1?

My engine does not have a smoke unit. I'll try reprogramming it with RoyBoy's suggested codes.   I just bought the ABA set with four cars. It was a good deal as the seller could not get it running.  It was just missing the battery. Thanks everyone for your help.

No Smoke, then Roy is likely correct. The feature code for Mars light is AUX1 5 in program mode usually after setting the engine ID number.

Pete

I had several that had a separate MARS light board, I sold the boards after I upgraded those to LED.  They used a special two filament bulb that was driven from the custom board, it actually looked pretty good.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I had several that had a separate MARS light board, I sold the boards after I upgraded those to LED.  They used a special two filament bulb that was driven from the custom board, it actually looked pretty good.

I only have one of the K-Line F-3 sets at this point, a Northern Pacific A-A, and agree the MARS looks pretty good. The only downside is that it's not very bright. 

The light not being real bright is because it's an incandescent with two filaments, it didn't get that bright in operation, but it had a pretty realistic look about it.  I still have a different one from an unknown source that has a dual-filament bulb, but it's a simpler flasher and just flashes them back and forth.

Well, that's good to hear. I'll be happy with it the way it is.  I like the realism and light effects it adds to these traditional (although with nice added touches) F-3s.

Looks like reprogramming the AUX only turns the marker and cab lights on or off.  Not the Mars light. It's still dark.  Otherwise the direction, whistle and bell work fine with the CAB-1 remote.  Without the manual can't be sure of the programming. But thanks for offering suggestions.  

I suspect the MARS light has a real problem, I don't recall any "programming" to turn it on.  There are only three possible sources of power for the MARS light that are command controlled, front & rear lights or the feature/smoke output.

I had a K-Line TMCC E8 set with MARS lights. The lights were activated by motor voltage. I took the shell off to do some maintenance and found they were directly tied to the front motor in each unit. There was a diode in the circuit on the board to make them directional. The rest of the lights were track powered with constant voltage from the same circuit board as the MARS and TMCC controlled for the main headlight and reverse light. The MARS lights were a little dim at slow speed. Once throttled up, they got brighter up to a point.

AUX1 create a chuffing noise ,  AUX2 does turn the lower headlight and marker lights on and off, but not the MARS light. Throttling up does not do anything either. So I'll try next replacing the MARS lights to see if the filaments are bad.  But I suspect it is a board issue though.  Also I could replace the MARS light with an LED and power the MARS light from the lower headlight power leads.

I did find the programming codes on the Lionel Support website and a good Lionel video of how to program the TMCC. 

I appreciate so many of you have helped me out!

Take a look at these modules, it's what I use for LED MARS lights.  Once you see this one, you won't go back to the old way.  Check the video as well.

Marslight & Super-Marslight Simulators

MARS Light Video of Effect

You will need a small filtered DC power supply for these, but they're worth the effort.

@CraigP posted:

AUX1 create a chuffing noise ,  AUX2 does turn the lower headlight and marker lights on and off, but not the MARS light. Throttling up does not do anything either. So I'll try next replacing the MARS lights to see if the filaments are bad.  But I suspect it is a board issue though.  Also I could replace the MARS light with an LED and power the MARS light from the lower headlight power leads.

I did find the programming codes on the Lionel Support website and a good Lionel video of how to program the TMCC. 

I appreciate so many of you have helped me out!

 

 Simply pressing the AUX1 or AUX2 button in run mode will not change the feature code.

You must be in Program mode.

Then power up and hit:

Engine ## (##=whatever number you want to address the engine as) then SET (you should hear the horn sound)

Lastly hit the AUX1 button followed by 5 (another horn sound)

Turn off power, move the switch under the engine to RUN

Power up and try it after addressing it with the number you just gave it.

Then run it. If the Mars light is still off hit AUX1 9, if its on you can turn it off with AUX1 8.

Pete

Pete - thanks.

I followed your instructions and do get a recognition horn sound when programming with AUX1-5.  After switching back to 'run', no MARS light when hitting AUX1- 8 or 9.  AUX 2 turns marker lights on and off. Must be the MARS lights are burned out or not being addressed.  Gunrunnerjohn's suggested simulator lights look like the way to go.