New Milwaukee Road LEGACY S-3 MARS light fix?

Steam GuyOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Hi Guys,

I have read all the posts regarding the operation of the red Mars light on these models. I offer this fix as a temporary fix until Lionel comes up with their fix. Here goes:

1. On my Lionel Legacy PRR J-1 the cab light is on when the engine is stopped. It goes out when the engine is moved, either forward or reverse.

2. What if the cab light is unplugged and in its place the Mars light plug is inserted into that board (one might have to lengthen/shorten wires). Then the MARS light will operate as the cab light.

3. This work is to be done ONLY by Lionel technicians.

4. I do not know if the plugs for these 2 different light are compatible or if they draw the same electric power; Lionel will know this.

5. If doable, then the cab light feature is not available.

There is a good chance that this idea has been floated around and found not workable. If so, I apologize.

Steve

12/12/1110:33 AM

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Original Post

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CentralFan1976OGR Forum Member

Why not have both on/off while stopped or moving, respectively?

Thanks,
Mario

12/12/1111:14 AM

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$oo LineOGR Forum Member

from what I read on other thread since vanished I believe if I understood it correctly.

that when the new legacy reader think that's what its called comes out you can basically write your own software and create a way to add an icon to cab-2 and turn it off and on.

did I get it right mike r. or jon ?

I wonder if possibly the red light in question didn't actually serve two purposes and that the way it is on model now is in deed correct application in that way of thinking.

lets all have a great time running this engine am hoping to see my copy this week most likely friday. have a great day all $oo

12/12/1111:14 AM

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Patrick HOGR Forum Member

If thats the case switch the headlight with the Mars, if you can still use the Aux 2 to turn it off and on.

12/12/112:04 PM

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VaGolfer1950OGR Forum Member

quote:
If thats the case switch the headlight with the Mars, if you can still use the Aux 2 to turn it off and on.

That sounds like a reasonable work around, however unless you did it with the blessing of a Lionel Service Tech, you will void your warranty from what I understood of that prior thread on the Forum.

12/12/112:12 PM

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Southwest HiawathaOGR Forum Member

I'm just going to disconnect mine. The red light is not routinely illuminated in normal running, if I read Hot Water's post correctly. I've reviewed a bunch of videos of the real 261 in operation and the red light does not come on at routine stops. The only time I saw it illuminated was when 261 was at the back of a double-ender train, being towed by a diesel. It basically seems to have a function similar to the four-way flashers on your car. I just don't see where there's any need to have the silly thing working at all for normal model railroad operation.

12/12/113:19 PM

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Chuck SartorOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

While the team at Lionel is writing the code for the Utility box for the Milw. 4-8-4, Along with being able to toggle the red light on and off, I would also add a Automatic mode on/off. In automatic mode, the red light would toggle on automatically when the engine is running forward above 1/4 throttle and the direction button is pushed to stop the locomotive, like an emergency stop.

12/12/114:10 PM

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MartyEOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBERMEMORIAL SUPPORTER

quote:
I would also add a Automatic mode on/off. In automatic mode, the red light would toggle on automatically when the engine is running forward above 1/4 throttle and the direction button is pushed to stop the locomotive, like an emergency stop.

That most likely won't happen. That would require engine code to be re-written.

The on/off toggle via the remote fix is a function of a command from the remote to the engine and is a matter of the remote code being altered.

12/12/114:53 PM

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92hatchattackOGR Forum Member

I just want a round about time of when this new technology will be released. A month? 6 months? A year?

12/12/118:45 PM

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SasquatchOGR Forum Member

quote:
Originally posted by Patrick H:
If thats the case switch the headlight with the Mars, if you can still use the Aux 2 to turn it off and on.

I just went upstairs and ran mine. When I hit Aux2, all the lights on the front of the engine went out. The head light,the marker lights and the Mars light went out. I don't think this will work. BF

12/12/1110:31 PM

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Former Member

Using the Legacy utility to reprogram the V1.4 Cab 2, the operation of

the S-3 Mars light on the Milwaukee can be controled by the Cab2.

3/16/1212:52 PM

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JC642OGR Forum Member

In another thread now gone, it was said all one needs to get the Mars light to perform as it should is open the engine, unplug the Mars light wire and replug it into the socket with the interior cab light. The board is capable of handling both lights without problems.

Joe

3/16/121:14 PM

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