Esu has released version 5.1.1 of the LokProgrammer software. It is available here. Release notes are included with the download.
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This is a common problem and one that appears on the various model Railroad forums fairly often. Usually, you’ll see a question or problem statement similar to this:
The Problem:
I have a throttle that when I use the left knob on the
throttle, the train it controls will suddenly stop after a random amount of
time and then start back up after a few seconds This happens with the throttle
tethered to either the base unit or anywhere else on the layout -- so location
is irrelevant. (It is also possible for some throttles’ speed to be set to zero.)
The Answer:
Two throttles
are controlling the same locomotive, the other one is set to zero.
The second answer (below) was one that intrigued the author
because he had never heard a quantitative diagnosis applied to this particular
problem before.
From user Billybob Experimenter:
That suspicion can be confirmed by leaving your throttle left
knob dialed-up to some non-zero speed, then leaving it alone, and waiting for the speed to go to zero. Note the time (including seconds!). After the locomotive starts back up wait
for the speed to be again set to zero (or it stops). Note this time (including seconds!). If the throttle speed was set to zero,
apply some speed setting to it to get the locomotive moving again.
Repeat this procedure and again note the time (including
seconds).
Compute the amount of time between each occurrence. If the
amount of time between the unexpected set-to-zero-speed events
is about the same (and generally around
100 seconds or so) then you have strong evidence that some other throttle device is trying to control the same slot
number which holds the loco that is on the left
knob.
Once you confirm the suspicion, it is "simply" a
case of finding the other throttle which is trying
to control the slot, and performing the necessary
steps to "release" the slot (loco) from the throttle.
Sometimes it makes sense to find the other
throttles which might be controlling the slot, and simply
change the throttle control upward to see
if there is any response by the misbehaving loco; if so, the throttle is influencing the slot and the throttle
needs to have the "release"
procedure performed!
Note the specific use of the word "slot" rather
than "loco" here, because:
And be aware that some non-obvious "throttles" might influence a slot, including:
One final addendum:
"If you want to give yourself a clean start you can ‘clear’ the mobile decoder slots in your command station using ‘Option Switch 36.’ You could also consider resetting your command station to factory default using Option Switch 39."
Billybob’s answer to this:
Be aware that this is not an effective solution to the problem. If a throttle is making use of a slot before the command station slots are "cleared", then the throttle will still be making use of the slot after clearing the slots. While clearing the command station slots can make it appear as if the problem has been resolved, it may crop up again once a new loco is assigned to the slot which is (still) being (unintentionally) used by the throttle.
The solution to the problem is to properly release locos from
the throttle when the throttle is no longer "in use". Always! Every
time!
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From Train Control Systems Friday January 15, 2021:
Hello everyone!
TCS is happy to announce
that the pre-order period for the UWT-50 "mini" throttle is now available
starting TODAY January 15th. Pre-orders will close on March 29th. TCS is offering
the largest discounts that will be available on the UWT-50 during this time. We
are offering two "tiers" of pre-orders, which will offer different discounts
based on how much you pay up front. The UWT-50 will be priced at $199.95 once pre-orders
close. For individuals looking for a wireless WiFi throttle like the UWT-100 with
that "classic" knob feel at a price point lower than a standard HO sound-equipped
locomotive, the UWT-50 is just what you have been waiting for!
Available Pre-Order Tiers for the UWT-50 "Mini" Throttle:
Some features we will be including in the UWT-50 will include:
Two Available Knob Options
Select either a Potentiometer knob for a fixed starting and ending point, or the
Encoder knob if you prefer infinite scrolling.
Large, Full-text Screen
1.42" x 0.92" LCD screen with white backlight. Brightness is entirely
adjustable for a variety of operating conditions.
Programmable Buttons
Two buttons on the face of the throttle, as well as two multi-position switches
on the side can be reassigned to control many functions. Examples such as dynamic
braking, manual notching, and higher-numbered functions are now a simple button
press or switch flick away!
Battery Power That Won't
Leave You High-and-dry
The UWT-50 is powered by two double a (AA) batteries, and support multiple chemistries
including recharge-able, such as Alkaline, NiMH, LiPo, NiCd, and more! An
easily-accessible battery compartment allows for quick, on-the-fly replacements
so you're never stuck in a sticky situation waiting for your throttle to charge!
(The yard master won't be happy to hear about that!) The UWT-50 lets you focus on
what matters - running trains!
Multiple Connection Modes
You can connect to any DCC system using the WiThrottle protocol or a system-specific
WiFi device, or communicate directly with your LCC network in LCC mode.
In-Throttle Consisting
Consisting doesn’t have to be difficult, intimidating, or complicated. The UWT-50
features a simple consisting interface where users can make, modify, and break up
consists in mere seconds.
Yard Mode
Yard Mode is an innovative, TCS exclusive feature designed for switching operations
and control. Perfect for spicing up repetitive yard moves!
Full-Text Menus
Menus present all options in full words and phrases. No guess work or manuals needed!
Help Text
Use the [?] button on the keypad in any menu to access help text for that menu item.
The throttle will call up a relevant part of the manual or simple description of
the selected operation. Help is always one button press away!
Easily Updatable
Update throttle software and add new features to your handheld from the comfort
of your own home.
Flashlight
The UWT-50 unit comes equipped with two bright white LED's that can be activated
at any time - handy for finding those dropped screws and lost detail parts, decoupling
during nighttime operations, and ventures under dark, cavernous benchwork!
UWT-50 Pre-Production Render:
For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the UWT-50, or our other WiFi-enabled devices, I have included some links below where you can learn more:
Learn more about the UWT-50
here:
Learn more about the TCS
WiFi Command System here.
You can place your pre-order for your very own UWT-50 by clicking
the links below:
UWT-50 Pre-Order (Potentiometer)
UWT-50 Pre-Order (Encoder)
The UWT-50 is expected
to ship to Pre-order customers NO LATER than July 30th, and we anticipate we will
be shipper sooner, unless there are delays outside of TCS' direct control.
I would like to extend
my personal gratitude and congratulations to our development team who have been
working hard to make this product, as well as the other WiFi Command System devices,
a reality. I'd also like to thank you, or patrons, for your continued support throughout
the years. We look forward to continuing to offer high-quality products to you for
years to come.
Dan
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Tsunami2 sound decoder owners, hopefully, are aware that they can enable the rail clickity-clack sound for added realism on their locomotives. You can do this by controlling the number of axles per truck and trucks per cars settings along with the related sound scaler (volume).
If you are using JMRI’s Decoder Pro these settings are
located on the ‘Sound’ sheet. If you do not use Decoder Pro the CV settings are
as follows:
CV 3.257: Clickety-Clack Configuration
Description
CV 3.257 is used to set
the number of axles per truck and number of trucks per car for the
clickety-clack sound effect. CV 3.257 determines the frequency of the
clickety-clack sound effect and allows you to simulate various locomotives and
rolling stock.
Note: To access Indexed CV Page 3 with
CVs 257-512, CV 31 (CV Index 1) must be set to a value of 16 (default) and CV
32 (CV Index 2) must be set to a value of 3.
01 = 2 axles per truck
10 = 3 axles per truck
TR0-TR1: Trucks per Car
00 = 1 truck per car
01 = 2 trucks per car
0: Reserved
Default
Value: 5
CV 3.258: Clickety-Clack Sound Scalar
Description
CV 3.258 is used to set the frequency of the clickety-clack sound effect. The
value of CV 3.258 determines the proportion between the speedstep and the
scale speed (feet per second) used to configure the frequency of the
clickety-clack sound effect.
Note: To access Indexed CV Page 3 with CVs
257-512, CV 31 (CV Index 1) must be set to a value of 16 (default) and CV 32
(CV Index 2) must be set to a value of 3.
Additional
Information
Higher values indicate higher scale speeds and increase the frequency of the
clickety-clack sound effect. Entering a value from 1 to 255 into CV 3.258 will
adjust the clickety-clack frequency from 0.01ft/s to 2ft/s. Scale speed (ft/s)
is calculated as:
Scale Speed
(ft/s) = (Speed Step × CV 3.258) ÷ 100
Entering a
value of 0 into CV 3.258 will disable the clickety-clack effect.
Default
Value: 180
There are two
things you will need to add the rail sound to an ESU decoder, the first is an
empty sound slot and the second is to have the template files loaded on your
computer. These are available for download on the ESU website here . The ESU rail sound is located in the template
files in the miscellaneous folder as ‘rail clank intelligent’. Open your Lok
programmer, load your project and go the sound pane. Highlight the empty sound
slot on the left and then highlight the rail sound file on the right. Finally,
click the blue arrow pointing to the left to move the sound file into the selected sound slot. See Figure 3.
Now go to the
decoder pane and function mapping sheet. Locate your project’s traction motor
sound in the Sounds column. Now select the drop down and, leaving the traction
motor selected, select and check the sound slot where you added the rail sound.
So now there are two sounds selected for that function, the traction motor and
the rail sound. See figure 4.
This completes the basic configuration so you can reload the sound file to the locomotive. You can adjust the volume in the sound slot settings as usual. To adjust the speed of the clanks you will have to adjust the constant values in the sound slot flow diagram. You can use the sound simulator to test your changes then reload the sound file when you’re satisfied. This will take some time until you get exactly what you want. Also, as is, the sound file is for two axle trucks. Again, you’ll have to play with the sound flow diagram to get more than that.
Have fun!