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The T1, T4X, T5X, and T6X:
These decoders have an auxiliary connector that can be useful in a number
of ways. As far as I know, these are the only decoders, by any manufacturer,
that have the features offered by this connector. The connector is a
six-pin micro mini-JST - less than half the physical size of the main
connector. Here's the skinny on each of those wires.
There are two blue wires. The benefit of having two
extra blue wires, like the one on the main harness, comes when you're
using lots of functions. With six functions, as the T6X has, you can
hook up to six separate lights or other devices. Normally, you'd have
to string the one blue wire to each of these lights - front and rear.
With two extra blue wires, you can wire things more conveniently as
well as having a less-cluttered wiring job.
NOTE: Blue wires provide + voltage.
Some people errantly think it's ground, because it's called common.
The way decoders work is to provide constant + voltage, via the blue
wire, then sink that voltage to ground via the function wires (White,
Yellow, Green, Purple, Brown, Pink) when those functions are turned
on.
There are pink and brown wires. The brown wire is Function
3 while the pink is Function 4. Obviously, only the T6X can make use
of both of these, because it's the only one with six functions. Neither
of these wires is active on a T1 or T4X, and only the brown (Function
3) wire is active on the T5X. NOTE: Even though
one or both of these wires may not be active, all the other wires are
still active.
There is a black-and-white-striped wire. This is the
common ground - the opposite of the blue common power. Decoders do not
usually have this connection. It is useful to have something powered
all the time when track power is on. TCS has a 1.5V regulator (TCS-V1.5H)
that uses this wire to provide voltage for 1.5V bulbs without having
to wire a resistor in series (TCS will offer other voltages in the future).
However, it could be used as a decoder pilot light. Mounted somewhere
in or on the loco, the light would not only indicate that track power
is on, but that the decoder itself is getting power. This could be helpful
as a diagnostic tool if the loco doesn't respond to commands - you'd
instantly know if the problem is in the decoder or elsewhere. With this,
there's no need for track power indicators around the layout.
There is a green-and-black-striped wire. This is reserved
for future use. Who knows what John has planned for this? It's bound
to be good, as usual.
Finale. The T5X and T6X come with a harness to plug
into this connector because that's where functions 5 and 6 are. If you
want to use any of these features with a T1 or T4X, you'll need to order
a TCS-AUX harness.
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