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How to Program Digitrax Ditch Lights

Using Digitrax decoders and controller to operate your model railroad allows you to run more than one train at a time in a more realistic fashion. Through the use of this system, you can program the ditch lights on your train to light up only when you want them to. These lights, located along the front of the engine near the bottom, are mainly used at railroad crossings and at night. Programming the ditch lights allows you to control when they turn on and off.

Things You'll Need

Screwdriver
Digitrax decoder
Digitrax controller
Track
Model train engine

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the shell from your train engine. Some engines require you to press tabs to release the shell, while others are attached with screws. Set the shell aside.
- 2
  Remove the place holder from the nine-pin socket within the train engine. Replace it with the Digitrax decoder.
- 3
  Attach the green F1 wire to the right ditch light bulb. Attach a blue wire to the other side of the right bulb.
- 4
  Attach the purple F2 wire to the left ditch light bulb and a blue wire to its other side.
- 5
  Replace the shell on the engine and secure it in place with the tabs or screws. Place it on the track and power up the controller.
- 6
  Enter your engine's address into your Digitrax controller. If you have not changed it, the default number is 03.
- 7
  Press the "F" button, followed by the "7" button to access the CV settings. The screen should read "CV."
- 8
  Enter "51" and press "Enter." Change the setting to "6a" and press "Enter."
- 9
  Enter "52" to access the next CV and press "Enter." Change the value to "6b" and press "Enter."
- 10
  Enter "63" and press "Enter." Change this CV value to "40" and press "Enter."
- 11
  Press "ESC" to exit the CV settings.
- 12
  Turn on the FO and F1 options when you run your train. When these are turned on and you press F2, it will activate the ditch lights on your engine.

Model Railroads