Programming NCE Light-It Decoder?

[slowfreight]

I'm trying to install a Light-It decoder in a cab car where all I need is headlight in push mode and marker light in pull mode. The directions are very explicit that you can't program it on a programming track, and my ESU CabControl system explicitly does not support programming on the main.

Anybody have suggestions on workarounds, short of finding a friend with a different DCC system, to get this programmed? I really don't understand how it was set up that it has to be done on the main.

Before I junk it and use a cheap loco decoder, I have enough cab cars needing lighting that I'd like to make this thing work.

[jonklein611]

Find a friend with a Digitrax or one of the other DCC systems and program it there.

For lighting in tight spaces I use the LokPilot Fx Nano:

www.esu.eu/en/products/lokpilot/lokpilot-fx-nano/

[canrailfan]

Dec 6, 2019 20:25:18 GMT -8 slowfreight said:

I'm trying to install a Light-It decoder in a cab car where all I need is headlight in push mode and marker light in pull mode. The directions are very explicit that you can't program it on a programming track, and my ESU CabControl system explicitly does not support programming on the main.

Anybody have suggestions on workarounds, short of finding a friend with a different DCC system, to get this programmed? I really don't understand how it was set up that it has to be done on the main.

Before I junk it and use a cheap loco decoder, I have enough cab cars needing lighting that I'd like to make this thing work.

The ESU Cab Control system does support programming on the main and also supports read back on the main from Railcom equipped decoders.

Using the Mobile Control II that comes with the system you should see "Prog. on Main" in the list of options in the app Menu (three horizontal bars at upper left corner).

Selecting Prog. on Main will bring up a panel where you can input the address to be programmed, select whether it is a loco or accessory decoder, input the CV number and value, and write to (or read from) the decoder.

Hope this helps.

[slowfreight]

I've seen the "program on main" option but also other info saying CabControl can't do it. Will try and report back the results.

[slowfreight]

I immediately get the response "Command station does not support programming on main."

Any other suggestions?

[canrailfan]

Hi Slowfreight,

Your CabControl system may not be running the latest firmware.

To check the firmware level of the command station select "Settings" in the app Menu (three horizontal bars at upper left corner). The very first entry should show the Command Station information. The firmware should be "CabControl 4.2.3".

Scroll to the bottom of Settings and you should see "About Mobile Control II". Select that and it should show the firmware level of the MC II. It should be "1.1.6".

If you need to update the CabControl command station firmware there is a video on the ESU website showing how to do this:

How to Update the CabControl WiFi DCC System

Instructions for updating the Mobile Control II are shown in:

Updating ESU Mobile Control II Throttle

For the MC II you want to download and install the update file dated "15.05.19".

Both videos are very brief but do contain all the steps to do the updates. Note that in the MC II update procedure, once you connect the throttle to the computer all the information and prompts are on the throttle, not on the computer.

Hope this helps.