TCS FL4 Decoder + ESU decoder Tester

[WolfofBadenoch]

I bought a pack of TCS FL4 a few years ago. They are function only decoders and i've been having problems programming them. To get past the initial problem of reading Function only decoders i've had the idea of connecting it to my ESU decoder tester. Blue (common +ve) to motor1 on ESU tester and one of the Function Wires to motor2. This is working in that i can read back CVs etc through it - but the motor on the tester is fairly shifting while it's being read.

 

My question is Will this set up damage the Decoder tester motor or anything else?

 

Thanks

[Crosland]

You are putting almost full track voltage across the motor, which is why it goes off at speed. Damage is most likely to the decoder, rather than the tester or the motor. It depends on what current the decoder outputs are rated for, and what current the motor takes. Additionally, the decoder outputs may not be designed for inductive loads. When the output turns off the motor will continue spinning for a while, generating a voltage which will be applied to the decoder.

 

The correct way to add a load is to use a simple resistor. The NMRA spec requires that the decoder causes a pulse of at least 60 mA to be recognised as an acknowledge when programming. From this, the track voltage and the decoder current rating you can calculate the resistance and power rating that will be appropriate. If the decoder pulses all  it's  outputs during programming then you can connect a resistor between each output and the blue wire to share the load.

 

Another way is to connect another decoder at the same time and connect that to the motor. This will provide the acknowledge pulse. The downsides are that you cannot guarantee that the FL4 is programmed correctly and you may need to reset the 2nd decoder afterwards..

[tractor_37260]

TCS Function only decoders, require an 100 ohm resistor load to program them between one of the function output wires, and the Blue wire....

 

more info here:

 

https://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Technical_Info/Tech_Info/FAQPage.php?q=9

Edited January 13, 2018 by tractor_37260

[WolfofBadenoch]

Thanks for the info.

 

The screw terminals on the Decoder tester just seemed much more convenient than having to solder a resistor onto each decoder - especially as i'm having other problems with the decoders (questions to come), which involve switching between 4 decoders! The responses were also much more consistent than i've achieved in the past.

[WolfofBadenoch]

I've done a few tests now, and am baffled by these TCS FL4 decoders.

 

I bought a 5 pack of them a few years and tried using a couple, gave up and have started looking at them again this winter. So here is what i've found.

 

Decoder A

When i attach to my ESU decoder tester F1, F2, F4 light up the relevant LEDs constantly. If i switch them on the LED actually dims for F2 and F4 but nothing changes on F1.

F3 meanwhile works as it should - comes on when i switch the Function on.

 

I can read and write CVs ok except CV8 which reads ok but when i try to Write 8 i get an error message

 

With only F1 connected to the relevant screw terminals i can touch any other wire to either of the track pick ups and it will light F1 - This works with any of the function wires, either of the pick up wires and also the common (blue) wire

 

Decoder B

When i attach to my ESU decoder tester F1, F2, F3 light up the relevant LEDs constantly. If i switch the Function on the LED actually dims for F1 and F3 but nothing changes on F2 - which is continually dimmer than the other 2 LEDs.

F4 meanwhile works as it should - comes on when i switch it on.

 

I can read and write CVs ok except CV8 which reads ok but when i try to Write 8 i get an error message

 

With only F1 connected to the relevant screw terminals i can touch any other wire to either of the track pick ups and it will light F1 - This works with any of the function wires, either if the pick up wires and also the common (blue) wire

 

Decoder C

F1 and F2 LEDs light upon connection whether switched on or not. F3 and F4 wont work at all.

 

I can't read or write any CVs.

 

With only F1 connected to the relevant screw terminals i can touch any other wire to either of the track pick ups and it will light F1 - This works with any of the function wires, either if the pick up wires and also the common (blue) wire

 

Decoder D

This one is just out the packet and works as expected

LEDs only light when the Function is switched on. needs both pick up wires connected to have any LEDs on.

 

Decoder E

Currently untouched in the packet.

 

I don't know exactly what i've done to A, B, and C in the past. It will have involved trying to change address using an ECoS but i doubt anything else!

Are they fried / caput?

Is there anyway to resurrect them?

 

Thanks

[tractor_37260]

It's possible the default lighting outputs settings have been corrupted/changed on decoders A B C , or the function outputs are damaged,  possibly by using full track voltage, 

 

I'd suggest you try and set up decoder E (as it is as supplied) preferably by using a programming track with reduced voltage output, and then check you can read the default address of 03 

 

Black and Red wires to a " programming track"

Ignore the Black/White wire 

Connect a 100ohm resistor to the Blue wire and the other end of the resistor to either one of the Green/Purple/Brown or Pink wires -  then try to read the decoder address 

Provided you can read the default address ? then all's well and you can than change it if necessary.  

Led's can then connected via in-line resistors to the function outputs all being linked back to the Blue common wire.

 

As supplied the function outputs are set to work as just on/off via F1 2 3 4 - this can be changed to other Keys with function mapping, and different lighting effects can also be set up ie direction/flicker/ fire box et etc .....

 

HTH

Ken

Edited January 22, 2018 by tractor_37260

[WolfofBadenoch]

Thanks for the reply Ken.

 

I would have been using full track voltage when i previously tried to program the decoders.

 

How do i reduce voltage output? I have an ECoS - i know there is a 'dial' on the transformer which varies the voltage but i have always had this at the minimum 14V.

 

Thanks

[tractor_37260]

Thanks for the reply Ken.

 

I would have been using full track voltage when i previously tried to program the decoders.

 

How do i reduce voltage output? I have an ECoS - i know there is a 'dial' on the transformer which varies the voltage but i have always had this at the minimum 14V.

 

Thanks

 

I'm not familiar with the ECoS - perhaps someone who is ? can help you with this ....  I use a Lenz Set 100 - it has reduced voltage programming track outputs built-in.