After several years of collecting dust I finally got my Lokprogrammer out of the box to make some adjustments to my new Thomas the Tank Engine V4.0 decoder. I had no trouble reading the decoder and I could move various sound files around, but I couldn't figure out how to get any of the attempted changes to stick. What am I missing? I couldn't find a manual on the ESU website. I did find the ESU Help Forum, but I would prefer to ask my questions here.
What I am trying to do is re-arrange the function assignments. Specifically, I would like to get the most commonly used sounds and functions assigned to F0 - F9. The decoder came with all sorts of wonderful sound effects some of which I can do without such as coal shovelling (currently F8) and having three separate functions used for the whistle (F2 = 1 peep, F3 = 2 peeps, F4 = 3 peeps). I can survive with just a single peep and the coal shovelling sound is really grating. The three voice sounds for "Bust My Buffers", "Cinders and Ashes" and Fizzling Fireboxes" can stay on F5, 6 and 7.
That leaves me with F3 which I would like to be 'Rail Clack' (currently F13), F4 which I would like to be 'Birdsong' (currently F14), and F8 which I would like to use to start/stop the main engine sounds like all my other Loksound decoders (F8 is currently 'Coal Shovelling').
Thanks as always. I'm sure it is probably something really simple that I am missing, as usual.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Hi, Dave
I love my Lokprogrammer.
I Loathe the software!
For whatever reason ESU uses a red arrow pointing away from a file folder as the icon to "write changes to decoder"
Did you click that after you made the changes? I'll try to get a screen capture of it if you are unfamiliar with it. Sometimes the software is not intuitive at all
Just the other day I fumbled through how to make the startup delay on a Lokpilot decoder match a Loksound Select. It took quite a while and the documentation is practically nonexistant!
With the new V5 coming out the Loksound Select will be phased out.
Hope that helps, Ed
Hi Ed,
No, I didn't click on the red arrow. I don't like clicking on red arrows! To me, red means 'stop!', not 'go'!
I'll have another go at it.
Thanks,
hon30critterNo, I didn't click on the red arrow. I don't like clicking on red arrows!
My point exactly, Dave. Something was lost in translation.
Cheers, Ed
gmpullmanWith the new V5 coming out the Loksound Select will be phased out.
I hope that doesn't mean that their prices will go through the roof! I'll have to keep an eye on that. I would be very disappointed if ESU were to do away with reasonably priced decoders.
gmpullmanIt took quite a while and the documentation is practically nonexistant!
Never a truer word was spoken! They really need to re-evaluate their approach to this. I am a true fan of their products, but how they support them is a totally different story.
By the way, good morning Ed! Dianne told me not to stay up all night. I said "okay". Guess I'm not good for my word. Old habits die hard.
hon30critterOld habits die hard.
Again, no truer words I'm on my last glass of single malt, then maybe a few hours of shut-eye. Then do it all over again tomorrow. Retirement and Model Railroading were made for eachother.
Good Luck with Thomas
My grandson and I just gave the little guy a workout the other day
Thomas_W2 by Edmund, on Flickr
gmpullmanMy grandson and I just gave the little guy a workout the other day
Cute picture. I noticed how hard he is concentrating! He is biting his tongue!
Grandkids for me are still a couple of years or more down the road. We're not pushing them. I want then to enjoy their lives before all heck breaks loose!
Thank you Ed!! The little red arrow works wonders! Thomas is now doing as I ask!
The Lokprogrammer has also solved another serious problem for me. You may recall my CP 25 tonner critter project. Well, the wee beastie quit working a while ago and I was afraid that it had fried itself although I couldn't see why. Well, I put the critter on the Lokprogrammer track tonight and asked to see the settings. It read the decoder just fine, which I wouldn't have expected if the decoder was toast. Then I decided to try to run it, and everything worked fine. I don't know why it quit working but it doesn't matter. The fact that it is working again is all I need to sleep soundly tonight.
Just think, all that was between me and happyness was a little red arrow! I hope that Loksound is listening. I love their stuff but they really need to take a different approach to their documentation. However, maybe that may be wishfull thinking. They are a small company with limited resources. We can't expect the world from them if we want them to keep their prices affordable.
Loksound = good stuff. Thank you Loksound!
hon30critterLoksound = good stuff. Thank you Loksound!
I agree with you there, Dave. Glad you had good results
I follow Larry Puckett who explains some DCC things in understandable terms:
http://www.dccguy.com/?p=6804
Also, there's an "unofficial" Lokprogrammer instruction book since ESU hasn't updated theirs since 2009:
http://www.dccguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/LokProgrammer_ESU_EN_manual_edition_I_v1_eBook.pdf
Hopefully that will open for you without having to sign-in.
Mu Lokprogrammer has paid for itself many times over. I have switched around sound projects, updated firmware in decoders and installed improved sound files and Full Throttle features. Even though the software interface is a bit awkward it does get the job done and is very reliable.
I'll be curious to see what Loksound V5 brings.
PS, Regarding the grandson in the photo, MY dad used to have a habit of rolling his tongue like that when he was "deep in thought". No DNA test needed here
Thanks for the links. I just spent some time reading the Lokprogrammer manual. I doubt that I will ever get to the point of creating my own sound files, but the ease with which normal programming can be done is amazing, that is if you remember to hit the red arrow!
We have a club member who sticks his tongue out a bit when he is concentrating. Maybe he's related!
It's called putting your tongue at the right angle and it's VERY important when performing critical tasks. Having your tongue at the wrong angle means you will never get the settings right.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinkerIt's called putting your tongue at the right angle and it's VERY important when performing critical tasks. Having your tongue at the wrong angle means you will never get the settings right.
Our club member must have the tongue angle correct. He does pretty good work!