I have a newly purchased NCE power cab and I also bought a soundtraxx DSD-AT100LC to install in my Atlas GP-40 loco. My question is where is F4 located on the powercab? It is supposed to control the “dynamic brake” sounds from the decoder. Is the option key the F4 key and if so how do I programm it to hear the dynamic brake sounds? The function assignments listed in the decoder are:
F0=Headlight and backup light
F1=Bell
F2=Horn
F4=Dynamic brake
F7=dimmer
F8=mute
I’m not really sure where all of the function keys are located on the powercab or how to access them. I can’t find this information in the manual either.
Function keys 0-9 are the numbered keys (Line 5 in above pic) and F10-F12 are the very bottom row of keys. Functions 1-6 and 0 (HEADLIGHT) will show up on the LCD display when they are activated. In order to get F10-F12, you must press SHIFT first then the function button All this should be in your NCE Power Cab manual near the beginning.
So, if I understand you correctly, if I press the number 1 function key in row 5, its the same as pressing the Bell key in line 3? I’ll test this out tonight.
You got it, Bud. Standard functions for US sound decoders* are as followed:
1 = Bell
2 = Horn
3 = Coupler
4 = Blower hiss/cooling fans
5 = Dynamic brakes
6 = Doppler effect (need to be over 40 MPH before it works)
7 = Flange squeal/Air brakes
8 = Mute
9= Shut down
0 = Headlight
*European sound decoders - e.g. ESU LokSound - have a slightly different standard. For instance, on my Trix Mikado: 1 = Mute, 3 = bell, 4 = water intake, etc.
I thought there was ONE difference with NCE - the HORN button is momentary, but if you press #2 it’s on and off like the other functions. IOW, press the horn button to sound the horn/whistle and operate it the way it’s meant to be operated, because if you hit the #2 key it will turn on but not turn off until you hit #2 again.
I think ESU changed their default mappings to be more in line with everyone else’s, the Trix Mike uses a Loksound 2.0 decoder, the Loksound 3.5 in my PCM T-1 uses 1 as the bell like Soundtraxx, QSI, and Digitrax. None of that of course is set in stone, you can program the decoders to switch functions around so whatever button you want can control whatever you want. Sounds liek a cruel trick to play on a fellow club member, remap their sound functions - sort of like switching someone’s shortcuts around in Windows (click on Word, get Powerpoint, etc.)
Okay, Randy, fess up. How many times have you done that? - i.e. club or coworker? [swg]
Yea, I’d like to upgrade to the newer version at some point. Randy, I know that with LokSound v. 3.5, the horn is now “playable” instead of being “fixed” like it is on 2.0. (With the Trix Mike, if you press HORN, it actually plays it twice vs. once, while pressing “2”) How does the horn sound on your T-1? Realistic? I’m curious whether or not they used the same horn on the Mike with 3.5…
I’m not in a club anymore, and the one I used to be in just went DCC this past year. About time they got rid of that IR thing they were using…
The ‘playable’ horn is only sort of playable - it only controls the volume, if you want a real playable horn you neeed a Tsunami. Mine’s not even partially playable anymore, at least not until I get a Loksound Programmer and swap the sounds the right way. I remapped functions, because int he T-1 they default the whistle sound on F2 to a passenger multi-chime whistle (which is playable), and have the Reading freight ‘shrieking’ whistle on F4. Of course F4 is a latchign function, makes it hard to blow the whistle the right way, and I’m not running a Rail Ramble with mine, so I swapped functions so F2 ran the banshee whistle and F4 does the passenger whistle if I want it. Duration is totally controllable by how long you hodl the button down - definitely be
The PowerCab can operate the playable whistle too, just seems a bit awkward to scroll the wheel up and down while holding the horn button. The PowerPro needs a firmware update they haven’t released yet to enable the playable throttle on regular ProCabs.
But doesn’t that sort of negate the claims about how much “better” the NCE throttles are? I keep hearing about how this aspect or that one makes them so much better than the DT400’s. You know, the bigger display, better feel, blah blah.
Well, you apparently have to manipulate two controls simultaneously just to activate a playable horn, and on their top-of-the-line set you can’t even do that without a so-far-nonexistant firmware upgrade! Sorry, but I’d have a hard time calling that “user-friendly”.
On the other hand, that unfriendly ol’ DT400 has always had a simple, pressure sensitive F2 button, just waiting to be activated by a simple OPSW change. (Another reason I laugh every time I hear folks say the lack of Digitrax firmware upgrades is a drawback. They simply aren’t needed! But that’s a topic for another thread…)
Wow! Then I guess I’d better get rid of my Power Cab, now. [swg] Steve, I’d hardly call pressing two buttons or a button and the encoder wheel to activate a playable whistle a sole reason for completely negating something as being “user-friendly” friendly or not. There’s a BIG difference between that and stating that activating a certain feature is a “bit awkward”. That would be like me proclaiming that nobody should EVER consider buying the Zephyr because it only handle functions 1-9.
Hehe don’t yell at me, I use Digitrax [:D] Once upon a time, Digitrax sent out reprogrammed chips to let users do their own upgrades without shipping things back. But as often happens in these cases, people would damage things and then expect free warranty replacement. Never mind that it’s an easy thing to do and anyoen who has assembled a few kits as the ability to take their time and handle this. So the process has stopped an now if there is an update needed you have to send it in or find an authorized dealer.
Check the QSI group on Yahoo and see how hard it was lobbied to allow end users to do their own upgrades with those. QSI gave in - but I wonder how long it will last. The PLCC chip used in the QSI decoders is harder to correctly remove than the simple DIP microcontroller in a Digitrax command station.
Not allowing end users to do stuff like this I can understand, but it does annoy the heck out of me, I’ve been doing things like that for years and I both have the proper tool AND know the tricks for safely doing it without special tools.
Part of the reason you don’t really need updates with Digitrax is that it’s all peer to peer. Kind of like not having to buy a new printer when you buy a new computers. The old DT100 throttles only went to F8, but plug a DT400 throttle into the DB150 or DCS100 command station and it does up to F12. A better analogy might be server and workstation. You tend to not have to buy a new server if you buy a new workstation, or vice-versa. The old PC ‘knows’ how to talk to the new server, or the new PC can talk to the old server just fine.
Wow! Then I guess I’d better get rid of my Power Cab, now. [swg] Steve, I’d hardly call pressing two buttons or a button and the encoder wheel to activate a playable whistle a sole reason for completely negating something as being “user-friendly” friendly or not. There’s a BIG difference between that and stating that activating a certain feature is a “bit awkward”. That would be like me proclaiming that nobody should EVER consider buying the Zephyr because it only handle functions
I stand corrected. You indeed used the phrase “sort of negate” and I used the word “completely” - which, in itself, would indeed imply two completely different meanings. I also appreciate the definitions for the words “user-friendly” and “awkward” that you have supplied, which helps to clarify your point further.
With that said, if we take your definitions and apply it to Randy’s description, it would then be correct to say that using the playable horn feature on the Power Cab is (in Randy’s words) “a bit [difficult to handle or manage]…?” (italics mine) I can respect that. What may be awkward for one person may suit another person just fine.
I guess what I’m looking to understand from you, Steve, is whether or not that one (1) issue either “sort a negate[s]” or fully negates a DCC system from being “user-friendly”? Is it all or nothing? Can a system have one or two “a bit awkward” operations to accomplish a task yet, still be “user-friendly”? If it’s all or nothing - in all honesty - is there ANY DCC system out on the market that is 100% “user-friendly”? To me, EVERY
Exactly, but I’d have to guess that most folks would not find it user friendly to have to hold the throttle, push a button, and use a thumb wheel all at the same time and with one hand. I’d also think the alternative of two-handed throttle operation doesn’t fall into the user friendly category, either.
I wouldn’t think it’s an absolute. Something can be more or less user friendly than something else, and at the same time neither of them has to be completely friendly or unfriendly. There’s lots of room in the middle, which is why I said “sort of negate(s)”.
There are two “main” ways to look at equipment User Friendliness: 1. Ergonomic…how easy and comfortable can you use the throttle, especially over a period of time. 2. How intuitive are the controls. ( Ie , do you need a Phd to run the controls, or, can I easily teach my wife to use the controller ? ) Shhhh, my cfo is nearby…
(Click picture to enlarge)