Dimming Headcode with Hornby Chip R8249

[Charlie B]

Hi,

 

I've just installed the Hornby R8249 decoder in my Hejan Hymek and all appears well.

However, as with most DCC locos, I find the headcode too bright.

The leaflet doesn't mention a CV for lighting values but I would have thought that there must be one otherwise the lights wounldn't work.

 

Any ideas?

 

Regards

 

Charlie

[AMJ]

I have seen the CV for dimming lights in Lenz manual but not in some of the chips available from Hornby/Bachmann. I think that there are manufactured to a price for mass distribution.

 

Certain locos when you try to dim the lights via the CV on the chip seems to make no difference. Tried it with a Hornby loco and they stayed the same yet a Bachmann dimmed. This is probably based on the way the electrics for the lights are devised.

[Pete the Elaner]

The R8249 is limited & I would be very surprised if you can do anything like dim lights.

They are low current decoders too & Heljan locos are known for being current-hungry.

 

My advice is to move the chip into a loco which requires less current & less control of lighting.....before you fry it.