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Discussion Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: jgaynor on November 08, 2010, 08:54:11 AM

Title: EZ track DCC turnout with lights
Post by: jgaynor on November 08, 2010, 08:54:11 AM
I the process of setting up my setup i'm using EZ track DCC turnouts and want to use lights to indicate the position of the switch. is there a way to use a TCS FL2 to switch the lights at the same time the turnout is switched or can anyone suggest a better way of doing it.
Also if i'm using a two signal light i assume the green light should indicate that the switch is thrown closed for the mainline and red would indicate siding or branch line corret

thanks for the help and advice
Title: Re: EZ track DCC turnout with lights
Post by: Jim Banner on November 09, 2010, 12:17:37 AM
I have not been able to find any details on how the Bachmann DCC turnouts are programmed internally but I am assuming they work much like other accessory (stationary) decoders.  The following is my take on the subject.

Stationary decoder addresses are different than mobile decoder addresses.  This means that you can have a locomotive running on address 17 and a turnout operating on address 17 without interfering with one another.  As I see it, a TCS FL2, which is a mobile, function only decoder, would not respond to the same commands as a stationary decoder operating a turnout motor.  This means, unfortunately, that what you want to achieve cannot be achieved in this manner.

A possible solution would be to use a regular dc turnout with an external accessory decoder.

I am having a bit of a problem understanding your second question.  If I am guessing correctly, then yes, the green light should indicate that the switch is closed for the mainline and red (or amber) would indicate that the switch is thrown for the siding.  Sorry, but I don't know what a "branch line corret" is.
Title: Re: EZ track DCC turnout with lights
Post by: Joe Satnik on November 09, 2010, 12:26:59 AM
To quote Ed McMahon,

"That is correct, sir."