I down loaded the loksound manual the other day. I get some of it and other parts just make me stare and wonder. I did not pick page 35 for any real reason, there are more than on page like it. Can you explain what the numbers mean?
Lets take CV 118, I know what a CV is.
1 What is a AUX?
2 What is VOL + 16 I know what value is, its what you set the CV to. Why is there so many items listed for the same CV? Is it because the same CV and control different fictions?
3 If I change CV 118, does it change all the VOL as a block or only one function?
4 How do I know which Function Button controls that CV if any. Still trying to get my lights turned on on the Big boy.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Ken,
The particular page above deals with the Loksound XL decoders or decoders for larger scales like S, O, and G. Your particular Loksound decoder comes with (4) function outputs: (2) for directional lighting and (2) for AUX(ilairy) lighting. (See diagram on pg. 6 of manual.) XL (extra large) decoders come with (6) auxiliary function outputs or (8) total function outputs. (See diagram on pg. 13 of manual.) So, CVs 113 - 116 are the only CVs that pertain to your particular Loksound decoder as far as lighting is concerned.
Let's say you want to add Mars lighting to your headlight. From pg. 32 (at the bottom of the CV113 box) we understand that Vol = brightness. To change the headlight to Mars lighting:
So, if you want the brightest Mars lights for your front head light, the value for CV113 should be "143" (i.e. 15 + 128 = 143). This would then be controlled by F1. Same would hold true for Strobe or Gyra lighting. In those cases you would then add "48" or "144" to Vol.
Now, if you want Mars lighting to be controlled from your AUX 1 or AUX 2 outputs instead, you need to change CV115 or 116, respectively. Consequently, you will also need to assign AUX 1 or AUX 2 to F5 or F6. (See pg. 20 of manual.)
Make sense, Ken?
Tom
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Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
davidmbedard .....or....you turn on Decoder Pro and spend more time running trains.... David B
.....or....you turn on Decoder Pro and spend more time running trains....
David B
Why does everybody think that, because you have a digital-system, you also have an Interface to the Computer? I have been running my trains with DCC for 11 years now and still haven´t had a need for a separate programmer. I learned it the hard way with the poor DCC-systems back then and it has worked for me. I think the only reason to own a "Programmer" is when you have sound-decoders and need to re-program their sound-files.
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Graffen Why does everybody think that, because you have a digital-system, you also have an Interface to the Computer? I have been running my trains with DCC for 11 years now and still haven´t had a need for a separate programmer. I learned it the hard way with the poor DCC-systems back then and it has worked for me. I think the only reason to own a "Programmer" is when you have sound-decoders and need to re-program their sound-files.
On this list we all know that Ken owns a PR3 interface and uses Decoder Pro.
Jack W.
Graffen,Well, obviously the people on this forum at the very least know how to use a computer...otherwise they wouldn't be on this forum asking questions in the first place. It's not too much of a stretch to assume that an MR Forum user is someone who could connect a DCC programming track to that same computer, especially with today's offerings in PC interfaces.
Do DCC users have to own a PC interface? Of course not. However, it does make life easier. I've been using DCC for over 10 years, and I've memorized the basic CV's and what values do what. (CV2=Vstart, CV3=accel, CV4=decel, CV5=Vmax, CV6=Vmid, CV8=8 for reset, CV29 for 2 or 4 digit, direction, speed steps, analog/DCC, etc.). But if someone asks me to program their ditchlights for them, make a beacon flash, or re-map a function, I have to look up the manual. Or I can use a PC programmer do I don't have to look up the manual.
Another big deal is speed curves. I programmed one manually once back in 1999, before I had a PC interface to play with. I do not wish to repeat the experience. The PC makes it much easier.
Paul A. Cutler III*******************Weather Or No Go New Haven*******************
GraffenI think the only reason to own a "Programmer" is when you have sound-decoders and need to re-program their sound-files.
Michael,
Decoder Pro does come in quite handy when speed matching locomotives. You can copy and paste the CV settings from one locomotive to another. You can also store CV settings - just in case you should ever need to reset your decoder.
Thanks for the answer Tom, one step closer to understanding mysteries in the Loksound decoder book. I need to read the remapping sections a few times.
On AUX, is that the term used for how many functions a decoder can do?
cudakenThanks for the answer Tom, one step closer to understanding mysteries in the Loksound decoder book. I need to read the remapping sections a few times.
No problem, Ken. Hey, I'm learning it right along with you. I didn't know what it meant either until I started digging into the manual myself the night I wrote the other post above.
From the manual, it looks like they use the AUX (or auxiliary) term for any decoder function other than headlight front (F0F) and headlight rear (F0R). So, if you see AUX 1 and AUX 2, you know it's a 4-function Loksound decoder. That's why the Loksound XL is 8-function: Front, rear, AUX 1-6.
Hope that helps...
Tom again thanks for all the help. Seems there is something not right with the decoder. Will not take commands except address. CV 8 = 8 does nothing but change the address back to 3. Ulrich Model is sending me a new decoder! All Steve did was down load the new sound files?
Ken
jalajoie Graffen Why does everybody think that, because you have a digital-system, you also have an Interface to the Computer? I have been running my trains with DCC for 11 years now and still haven´t had a need for a separate programmer. I learned it the hard way with the poor DCC-systems back then and it has worked for me. I think the only reason to own a "Programmer" is when you have sound-decoders and need to re-program their sound-files. On this list we all know that Ken owns a PR3 interface and uses Decoder Pro.
Since that is so, then why doesn't he turn it and use it!
Having never looked at a loksound decoder manual before, it seems rather obvious from the descriptions that CV118 controls AUX(illary) output #4 which would be a lighting function output. Pick the brightness you want the light to be (0-15) and the pick the light effect you want, i.e. a strobe light at full brightness would be 15 + 48. So set CV118 to 63.
To paraphrase Bobby Unser from years ago, Ken, you seemed to be an analog guy trying to live in a digital world.
Silver Pilot...To paraphrase Bobby Unser from years ago, Ken, you seemed to be an analog guy trying to live in a digital world.
While probably accurate, the point is he needed guidance as an analog person in a digital world, and that is what the others were offering him...but without the editorializing.
-Crandell
Silver Pilot Having never looked at a loksound decoder manual before, it seems rather obvious from the descriptions that CV118 controls AUX(illary) output #4 which would be a lighting function output. Pick the brightness you want the light to be (0-15) and the pick the light effect you want, i.e. a strobe light at full brightness would be 15 + 48. So set CV118 to 63.
Silver Pilot, if you will re READ the whole post, I picked page 35 at random. If you had read Toms answer you would seen when Tom told me the Loksound XL is for large scale decoders not my HO scale.
As far as
Silver Pilot To paraphrase Bobby Unser from years ago, Ken, you seemed to be an analog guy trying to live in a digital world.
You are right, it was not till the end of March I retired my Bachmann E-Z command. Just like my car hobby, there is a learning curve. I have been learning about CV's for a whole 2.75 months!
Thanks to great people here like Simon 1966, Crandell, T-Stage, Davide B, and Randy I have learned a lot. Now that Tom has explain some of the Hieroglyphics in the book I understand more. Please note I did not list your name as of yet. I am sure later you will post something that will help me advances on my quest of being coming DCC more literate.