Intro to SmartControl light

[@matthias7799]

I've been looking around for a tutorial video pertaining to the Piko SmartControl light. And i thought this was it. However, I must admit that i find it disappointing that the video doesn't depict the step by step instructions of adding a locomotive (cab number) . Telling me that you've already done it, and just showing the locomotive operate... Well unfortunately that doesn't help me. Perhaps You could release a tutorial video that does address this issue. Thanks.

[@danpikoamerica7314]

Maciej, You are always welcome to contact PIKO in Germany at [e-mail], or if you are in North America you can contact PIKO America at [e-mail]. KZbin is not usually the place for technical advice or to get a .pdf copy of the manual. (But that is easy to handle via email!) It seems you are looking for info on how to program your loco to a new address? Make sure your loco is on the programming track... Go to "Locoaddress - PG", press 1 to program the current loco. (Current address should show automatically.) Press "3" to follow the screen to program a new address. Enter the address you want, from 1-9,999. Confirm with the enter button. You can then continue other things by pressing "2", or finish by pressing "Lok". (This is all pretty easy by just following the screen prompts.)

[@alexxander8158]

Nice! Please, this system work with clasic rails piko on DC or i need special rails AC, like Marklin for ex?

[@doanster]

Nice demo. How does this compare to the other similar budget kings - NCE Power Cab and MRC Prodigy Express?

[@PIKOAmerica]

Hi @Doanster, SmartControl light is an economical system that has some price similarities with those mentioned. This PIKO system is for budget-conscious consumers, but it also includes the ability to control 20 locos at a time (not 2 or 4) with its 2Amp power supply. PIKO SmartControl light also has the ability to work with external devices including many from Digitrax plus enough memory for 9,999 locomotives or devices/switches plus access to 24 functions. So it has more features than what we last saw available via those systems, even though it comes in generally at a lower - or very similar - price point.

[@doanster]

@@PIKOAmerica Thanks for the quick response!

[@ausskiguy]

Hi - Can you do A Track Switch control with the Lite Controller using the 52271 or 55272 Switch Machines? Thx.

[@PIKOAmerica]

@dougie g We hope to get to more videos showing you how to use PIKO SmartControl light, but admittedly we have been quite busy with new item designs and much, much more.

[@ausskiguy]

@@PIKOAmerica thx but is that a Yes or a No to my question?

[@PIKOAmerica]

@@ausskiguy Yes. SmartControl light can control switch machines if you use a switch decoder. (Sorry, we thought you were asking for us to make a video of switch control with SmartControl light. .. hopefully we will be able to get to this.

[@JH81187]

Does this also work for a small G-Scale indoors set up?

[@danpikoamerica7314]

55017 SmartControl Light was designed for HO-, TT-, and N-Scales. This is likely not enough power for a G-Scale locomotive, even with our efficient motors. If you are looking for DCC for G-Scale, look at our G-Digital system for outdoor use or you can consider 55040 SmartControl for indoor use.

[@q80aziz]

Better late than never. Yes it will run smaller G scale locomotives no problem but anything with twin motorsPlus sound, smoke and lights the system must and can be expanded easily thanks to the miracle of Loconet . By the way The smart controller is designed by the German Company Uhlenbrock and they make Loconet based products like boosters but you can also use Digitrax products ( these people invented loconet) I am using a Uhlenbrock command station connected to a Digitrax booster on my small indoor G scale layout. 👍🚂

[@Traingondor]

Does this Piko work with LGB?

[@PIKOAmerica]

@LGB Gondor, PIKO SmartControl light follows NMRA-standards, so it is a complete digital system with roughly 2Amps of power. It should work with any other loco or decoder that follows NMRA standards.

[@cutienoobbricks]

Do the connection cables, black and red+track clip, come with the package?

[@danpikoamerica7314]

The black and red wires that you see coiled together are the main system wires for this person's personal layout. SmartControl light does come with wires to send a signal from SmartControl light to your layout or starter set, but they are not the same color as this person's layout. (You likely already have power clamps on your layout that can go to the system.)

[@cutienoobbricks]

Okay thank you very much.

[@RobertKwolek]

I really like the simplicity of this system, but not the 2A limitation. Is there any reason the Piko Digital (ie the Navigator Remote) system can't be used with HO?

[@PIKOAmerica]

Yes, we actually have some customers using the PIKO G Digital System for HO and N-Scale. In this case, it's important to use a lower-voltage power supply. HO and N-Scale decoders are often not good with the 27 volts maximum used for G-Scale. A modern high-quality "switching power supply" that puts out up to 5 Amps DC (not AC) in a range of 14 to 18 volts should work fine as a power supply for the 35010 Central Station.

[@RobertKwolek]

@@PIKOAmerica Thanks very much. Seems like there are quite a lot of generic power supplies available in that range. Might have to find a Piko retailer in my area to help me out in case things get too complicated.

[@PIKOAmerica]

@@RobertKwolek www.piko-america.com/apps/store-locator

[@krzysrc1754]

Hello. Is it possible to program switch piko decoders using this light system. Particularly I would like to program Switch Decoder PIKO 35013. It means read and write CV's register including address register too. Could you tell or show how to do this? I want program PIKO 35013 only , not control. Thanks in advance.

[@PIKOAmerica]

This system is really intended for HO- and N-Scale, so we haven't actually used it on G-Scale here at PIKO America. It's possible someone at the factory in Germany has tried it. But it is a DCC system and it can program just about any value desired into any CV, so it seems like it should work. You have asked a couple of questions about programming the 35013 on various systems. Keep in mind that, as the 35013 instructions note, the programming jumper must be inserted and the decoder must have a switch machine connected to a pair of outputs as a load. If not, programming will not work, regardless of which system is used.

[@mariebcfhs9491]

is that a true DCC controller or it's only for the light?

[@PIKOAmerica]

It is a true DCC system.

[@mariuszbrzakowski1976]

Super 👌 👍👍👍

[@wavernexsus]

How many trains can it run at once? Say, can 2 DCC locomotives with 1 DCC sound locomotive run at the same time?

[@PIKOAmerica]

SmartControl light is intended for small to medium-size HO or N-Scale layouts. The 2 Amp system capacity is good for perhaps 3-4 modern HO or N-Scale locos, or quite possibly more if the current demand for each loco is very low. That depends on the loco. Compared to other "entry level" DCC systems (some of which really haven't advanced much since the dawn of the DCC age in the 1990s!) it offers similar power output and is much easier to use. If desired, it can be expanded to control larger layouts by dividing the layout into electrical "blocks" and powering those with Loco-Net enabled DCC boosters that are available from various brands. More remotes can be plugged-in for more operators. Of course, the number of trains that one operator can run at once, without collisions, depends on the skill of the operator!

[@wavernexsus]

PIKO-America thank you. Very helpful information

[@spockbetter]

what is the button to turn on lights?

[@PIKOAmerica]

@zvlad7, that would depend on what loco and decoder you are using, as the function buttons can activate different functions on different brand decoders. We suggest you look at your specific loco users manual.

[@spockbetter]

@@PIKOAmerica Well i found out its 0 but thanks!