davidmbedard wrote: MisterBeasley wrote: You can't reprogram the sound effects buttons, but you can reprogram the ditch light buttons. Oh yes you can........you just need to modify the .sdf file.David B
MisterBeasley wrote: You can't reprogram the sound effects buttons, but you can reprogram the ditch light buttons.
You can't reprogram the sound effects buttons, but you can reprogram the ditch light buttons.
Oh yes you can........you just need to modify the .sdf file.
David B
Yes, David's right on this one. I meant to say that you can't reprogram the sound effects buttons on the programming track by changing CV's. Once you've got access to the .sdf files that control the operation of the downloadable Digitrax decoders, you can do what you want with them. This does require additional hardware (a Digitrax PR2) and a computer.
Still, I would recommend re-mapping the ditch lights instead of re-assigning the bell and horn function keys. F1 and F2 assignments to bell and horn are pretty much the standard, regardless of whose sound decoders you're using.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
You can't reprogram the sound effects buttons, but you can reprogram the ditch light buttons. Hopefully, there are a couple of extra buttons that you can assign to the ditch lights, leaving F1 and F2 for the bell and horn, which is kind of the standard.
Right now, my guess is that the engine has the correct address assigned to it, but the SFX004 is still set to the factory default of 03. Try the "direct wiring" thing again, and bring up engine #3. Then see if the SFX004 will respond to F1 and F2 in that mode.
MisterBeasley wrote:To answer your original question, the SFX004 (and other sound decoders) are pre-programmed to recognize specific function keys. You can't re-assign the buttons by changing CV's. The desired keys (F1=Bell, F2=Horn, etc.) are already there.
To answer your original question, the SFX004 (and other sound decoders) are pre-programmed to recognize specific function keys. You can't re-assign the buttons by changing CV's. The desired keys (F1=Bell, F2=Horn, etc.) are already there.
So, this means if DH165K1A has F1/F2 reserved to control alternating ditch lights, it will take priority, and there's no way to get the horn on F2 now? Wow, that's quite a limitation.
How are you connecting the SFX004 "directly to the track?" Did you run wires to the plug-in pins?
Yep, I ran the wires from the operations track to the sfx board and connected them to the screw holes as described in the 'stationary installation' part of the manual.
If you put the engine on the programming track without the SFX004, can you read and program the address?
Actually, I have not tried to program the engine on the programming track without sfx installed. I tried it when both were plugged in, but got an error. After reading the Digitrax manual, I found out that it's impossible to work with 2 decoders like that at the same time. So, I put the loco on the ops track and programmed it in ops mode - motor decoder took everything well, and the engine runs as it should.
How are you connecting the SFX004 "directly to the track?" Did you run wires to the plug-in pins? That should work, but be aware that you probably will get an error on the programming track if you try to do this. A programming track requires a "load" to recognize an engine, and the SFX004 does not provide that.
You can provide a load by putting a resistor across the programming track at the same time. (If anyone knows an appropriate resistor value, please let us know.) This should let you read and program the address of the decoder.
If you put the engine on the programming track without the SFX004, can you read and program the address? If you can do this, the next step would be to re-install the SFX004 and again program the address to get them both working together.
UpNorth wrote:So you mounted the SoundBug UNDERNEATH the 165K1A ?You are testing with the proper decoder address ? The motor decoder (165K1A) and SoundBug must be on the same address but they are both shipped out with default of CV01=3.Your F8 is not in mute ?I find the instructions for both decoders not to be very clear on this dual decoder setup.
So you mounted the SoundBug UNDERNEATH the 165K1A ?
You are testing with the proper decoder address ? The motor decoder (165K1A) and SoundBug must be on the same address but they are both shipped out with default of CV01=3.
Your F8 is not in mute ?
I find the instructions for both decoders not to be very clear on this dual decoder setup.
Yes on all the questions - I've checked several times. Finally, I took SFX out and ran track power directly to it... Nothing. I guess I have a fried/malfunctioning decoder, and I'll be sending it to Digitrax for repairs.
But the question still stands: how do I assign flashing ditch lights to some other button, like F3...F5 and keep F1/F2 for sounds?
Thanks!
I bought a Kato SD40-2 today. It's a new model with alternating ditch lights. I also got a Digitrax 165K1A decoder specifically for this loco, and an SFX004.
Instructions seemed pretty easy: remove factory Kato board, install 165K1A, plug in SFX004 into it - and test it.
Ok. Did that, and lights are functioning, and the loco is moving. So, the motor decoder is working. But no sound! There are no sounds at all, and I am positive the sound decoder is installed correctly - I double and triple checked with the manual.
If I press F1/F2 buttons, it controls the alternating ditch lights. The manual for 165K1A tells you how to assign alternating lights to F2 button by programming CV51=106 and CV5=107. That works fine, and lights are indeed alternating nicely, but how do I get the sound now?
I can't find any instructions in SFX004 manual how to assign bell to F1, horn to F2 and how to move alternating lights to some other function.
Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!