ESU LokSound Function Outputs - Decoded
Last Updated 260404 - Page under construction
MARs light is a function effect that can be applied to any function output on ESU decoders. ESU decoders are unique in the industry (no other brand I know of can do this) in that the function outputs are free mapping meaning that any effect can be assigned to any output and any output to any control (F0 can be F0F, F0R, F1F, F1R, etc.). Each output can also have additional logic applied to control when energized relative to the state of the control (ignored, normal on, normal off), directional (ignored, forward, reverse), or motion state (ignored, standing, moving). Additionally, outputs F0F, F0R, Aux1 and Aux 2 can have multiple effects assigned to the same output to be controlled independently.
Here is an example I like to use on dual headlight E-units with a regular LED in the lower housing on F0F output, a regular LED in the little housing on the back by the door on F0R output, and a bi-color red/white LED in the upper housing on Aux1/Aux2 output.
The physical installation and output configuration are the same in the any of the versions shown here.
<WIRING DIAGRAM>
<OUTPUT CONFIG PICS>
In this example, the lower headlight and backup light are traditional on/off, forward/reverse control.
The upper headlight has four states; On-White, On-White-MARs, On-Red, On-Red-MARs. In operation each served a specific purpose.
On-White – forward direction, normal operation
On-White-MARs - forward direction, grade crossings warning, station approach warning, other potentially-dangerous situations
On-Red - reverse direction, normal operation
On-Red-MARs – automatic on when E-brake is applied and when standing on the mainline
I always like to make the choice of whats on or not using the DCC controller but this example can be automated by replacing the F5 state control with the driving logic control.
On-White – forward direction, normal operation
On-White-MARs - forward direction, grade crossings warning, station approach warning, other potentially-dangerous situations
On-Red - reverse direction, normal operation
On-Red-MARs – automatic on when E-brake is applied and when standing on the mainline