I’m in the process of converting a Aristo GP40 to RC and battery. Part of that is changing the classification lights to white leds. On would mean running as an extra and off would mean a regular scheduled train. My question is this. Are all four lights on or off or are they directional like the headlights?
My understanding is that they would just be displayed on the leading end of the lead unit.
On my cab units, I set up my headlights, number boards, and classification lights on separate functions, such that they each cycle through three states: off, long hood, short hood. That takes some custom electronics, though. I don’t like my lights switching ends every time I reverse direction when I’m switching.
You could potentially put relays or FETs inline with the classification lights, triggered by the headlights on each end. That way, they would follow the headlights, but you’d still have independent control.
Yes, class lights are to be displayed on the front of the lead locomotive.
I kind of figured they were directional. I will program them that way on the Airwire G3. I still don’t understand why USA and Aristo used red/green or just red. Marker light, classification light confusion I guess.
Depending on your modeling era, class lights might be well gone from the timetable.
I ran into a few old GP’s on the property that still had class lights. I would always click them on, just for grins.
White/lunar means a extra (no timetable scheduled train)
Red is the end of a train (think helper service) so when displaying red, they magically change from class lights to marker lights.
Green just means a following section.
Eric,
I’d like to see what you came up with.
This is how it operates:
Basically, I’m reading in function packets, but ignoring the status. Every time a function packet comes in, it cycles to the next state. That way, I get control of two outputs (plus off) from a single function. I use F0 for the headlights, F7 for classification lights, and F9 for number boards. I like to leave the number boards and cab light on, but the headlights off, when the engine is idling at train shows.
This is all done by piggybacking an Arduino on the Airwire board’s DCC output (Drop-In in this case).
Craig Townsend said:
Depending on your modeling era, class lights might be well gone from the timetable.
Yep …“modeling era” depiction would be nice to know considering the 1:1 are still running the Geep 40’s
That is true Rooster, but I don’t know of anyone (other than the Canadian’ s) that actively use class lights.
The GP40 I’m working on is a Santa Fe. Only one they had. They got it third hand in, I think 1985 and wrecked it in 1988. The photos I have still show the class lights. They were not plated over. Whether they used them or not is another question. I will because its my loco and I want to.
Yep, look like they are there:
http://atsf.railfan.net/gp40/atsf2964.jpg
Wrecked in Pico Rivera, maybe you have seen this page: http://atsf.railfan.net/gp40/
Greg
Hi Eric so what brand of arduino would I need to buy to get this done and where would I piggy back on the drop in board of the air wir? Can you draw an schematic showing the board and the arduino?
Paul Burch said:
The GP40 I’m working on is a Santa Fe. Only one they had. They got it third hand in, I think 1985 and wrecked it in 1988. The photos I have still show the class lights. They were not plated over. Whether they used them or not is another question. I will because its my loco and I want to.
Paul,
You asked a very valid question. I replied from my own knowledge that is in my head . I refreshed my knowledge and found this …http://trn.trains.com/railroads/abcs-of-railroading/2006/05/locomotive-classification-lights
Which does not answer your question as stated. Honestly though the white extra lights would only be lit on the front of lead of the locomotive IMO.
Greg,
I have that story of 2964. That is what intrigued me about it. One came up on Ebay so I went for it. It will have the air conditioner, tall fan housings. rotary beacon and ground plane with skate antenna when it comes out of my shops next week.
Do you have any Titans left over? They have a 6 light rotary beacon implementation built in… heck I might even buy one just for that.
Greg
Aaron Heine of Aaron Heine Electronics makes a working DCC beacon in HO scale with 4 surface mounted LED’s. I’ve to asked him if he can build me a similar beacon in large scale, and am waiting to hear back.
Edit: Sounds like he isn’t making them at the moment.
The only problem is the beacon housing itself.
(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-frown.gif)
Craig-
Here’s a link for my SD40-2 beacon. Using the QSI Titan to operate it. It takes up four of the lighting ports to operate it. It’s made of four 0603 LEDs and some plastic tubing. Was pretty easy. I’ve even started to use 0402 LEDs. Fun what you can do with them.
You weren’t game for the 6 LED one?
Didn’t know there was a 6 LED one. Thought it was only 2 and 4 LEDs. Sounds like a challenge for the next one (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
Yeah, just went to the manual, and it’s not clear at all… apparently you need to use the PORTS menu in the CV manager.
I may be mistaken, I was sure I had a document that indicated the 6 function outputs for the rotary beacon, but I cannot find it. I know there was a drawing labelling which outputs were for the beacon, but not finding it either… I’ll figure this out.
I have seen a video by “Loco Lee” with a 6 light rotating beacon on a QSI.
Greg
I actually bought a few of these. Was gonna assemble one and see if I can get it work through a single lighting port. Needs 3.2v to 16v DC, so if I use the 5 volt common all should be fine. This way I can use a 4 light beacon with just 1 port.