Headlight problem

[Havasu Joe]

Has anybody ever installed a decoder in an Intermountain F-3 ? I used a Digitrax Z 123 decoder and the train runs great, except the headlights don't come on. The number boards light up as soon as the loco is on the track. All the decoders are new, as are the locos. The decoder plugs into a printed circuit board, so it should be pretty hard to screw up the installation. I don't have much hair left to pull, so if you can help, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[kenw]

is the headlight an LED? if yes, the polarity may be reversed? just swag on my part.

 

[conrail92]

Did the lights work before the decoder was installed? Maybe even though the locomotive is new you got faulty lights...

 

[UP2CSX]

Also check your engines instruction manual. Some engines have headlights off by default and need to be turned on, usually using the F10 key or by resetting a CV if you want the headlight on all the time.

 

[CanuckMark]

Also check your engines instruction manual. Some engines have headlights off by default and need to be turned on, usually using the F10 key or by resetting a CV if you want the headlight on all the time.

I was thinkin' this as well.

Or the headlight may be connected to an output that is not mapped. You may need to manually map and turn on the outputs until you find the one the headlight is connected to.

Mark

 

[Havasu Joe]

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. When none of them worked, I got in touch with InterMountain tech support this morning. They were surprised that there was a problem. and suggested I try a different brand of decoder. I installed an MRC decoder I had, and the lights work fine ! Evidently, the Digitrax DZ-123 just doesn't work with this model.

Thanks again, Havasu Joe