Steve,
basically, I purchased many years ago a Frank 'S' that came new with two type '1' decoders. I removed them as I intended fitting a Massoth 'LS' and 'L' decoders. The two leftover type '1' decoders received new homes as while I consider them crude they still actually do the job and save me outlaying $120 for a new Massoth 'L'.
I did not intend using 'lighting' connections, but as the buffer needs to be fitted to the 'D+' and 'D-' connections, the pin arrangement on the Massoth 'L' is the same as the type '1', #55020, so with three 'Dek +' connections on the decoder, then my question was aimed more at what happens to the 'Dek +' connectors when lighting/smoker voltage is reduced below track voltage to accomodate low voltage lighting. Do all 'Dek +' connectors reduce in value on the decoder? The 'Dek +' and 'Dek -' fittings that I need to access are either side of the 'F1' function connector on the decoder.
As the Massoth 'L' and type '1' are physically similar, then in the future I can simply swap out the type '1' and replace with an 'L'. Right now there is no justification as the current decoder works just fine. My trackwork is dead level, so no real need for the back emf feature.