Accessory Decoders

There was another thread about this recently. I think it concluded if you only want to control lights a coach lighting decoder might be the cheapest option.
 
This was the thread:
www.gscalecentral.net

Cheapest Function Decoder

Hello I am looking for a simple (cheap) On-Off function decoder to drive a lighting display with a load of the order of 30mA. Recommendations please. Bill
www.gscalecentral.net www.gscalecentral.net
 
John S said:
Accessory decoder, each output has a separate address, call up the address on the Navigator, activate the address with the Left or Right arrow key.

Function decoder, one (Loco) address for multiple outputs, call up the (Loco) address on the Navigator, activate the outputs with the configured or preset Function Key.

Just to complicate matters, your Massoth Switch Decoder is primarily an Accessory Decoder, four outputs, four addresses, although as discovered it can also be a Function Decoder, one address but the outputs can be activated by selecting the appropriate Function Key.

Generalisation, on the Rails use Function, track side use Accessory.

But: if intending to use the Automatic inbuilt routines with the Firmware of both the PIKO and Massoth systems, whist the Firmware can access (Loco) Decoders with Functions indirectly, it was primarily designed to access and work directly with Accessory decoder addresses.

Coach lighting, what is actually required, is a DCC Decoder needed, and how do you wish to operate them?
Click to expand...
John
It is to control lights so your advice points to an accessory decoder.
Bill
 
As John defined (and I agree) normally lights are a function decoder, normally one address, different functions with different function keys, normally same address as loco (I remember you did not want this in the loco)

Accessory decoders are most commonly seen as turnout/switch/points decoders, where you have multiple addresses for different physical devices

All that said, this MD USD decoder seems to be a turbo-charged accessory decoder by these definitions.

Greg
 
Massoth makes a light strip that is digital and can drive additional loads with function keys. The one I have also has servo capabilities.
 
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