Freelance 2014-2

[faraway]

Reainhard quick question about the GP15, well two I guess. Do the ditch lights work if so, can you switch on one end separately from the other end or do both sets illuminate with one function? The model I had had working ditch lights but both ends would turn on together no matter the direction, they were either both on or both off. That's one reason I sold it, probably a semi easy fix but really stay away from wiring.

All lights can be controlled separately if the wiring is changed. Athearn delivers the DC model with a simplified wiring that does not utilize the capabilities of an added DCC decoder.
The PCB supplies standard connectors for
- front and rear lights at the centers of the ends of the PCB (the outside connectors are connected to the rails)
wired to F0/forward (white) and F0/reverse (yellow)
- two more lights at the side of the PCB opposite to the motor connectors
wired to F1 (green) and F2 (brown)
All four connectors supply voltage controlled signal (1.5 Volt) for Athern bulbs (to low for simple bulb/LED exchange).

Looks like that is some kind of an Athern standard PCB at this times. All my SW1000, SW1500 and MP15AC are basically the some.

Athearn wired front light to F0/forward, front ditch light to F1 and rear light and rear ditch light to F0/rear. That is not very logical and should be changed as defined above.
If you use the 8 Pin socket (as most Europeans do) the green wire must soldered to the F1 solder point and the brown wire to the F2 solder point on the PCB. I assume the US common used 9 PIN connector supports F1 and F2 without soldering?

I configure all my DCC decoders (Zimo MX630) for UT4 throttle use as follows
F1 = front light
F4 = rear light
F0 = ditch light depending on the direction
I prefer that setup to control front and rear manually while switching but have the ditch lights only at the active front side.

I am afraid there was no reason to sell the engine due to the Athearn default wiring. It can be changed easy. May be you should have posted your problem here. You would have received help from Sweden to New Zealand all around the world.

ps. I use F2 and F3 for bell and horn if sound is installed. That is my "home standard" since years :-)
pps. My decoder does NOT have sufficient outputs to permit individual control of the ditch lights for left and right side. I am using on eastern engines the western standard of solid ditch lights.
ppps. Yes, Athearn delivered the model with one single dead bulb (rear light). I love it