On 8/5/2018 3:06 PM, Steve Haas wrote:
RE: [jmriusers] Capability of Decoderd/Panel Pro
Making the above automatic, or almost automatic, on change of
direction of a consist. I think it might be possible, but gets more complex. ??Needs a consist manager tool to add locos to a consist, and from that a means to define and alter the CV21/22 settings for the lead loco, writing the results to both the loco and the Roster (for later use).??? I think I could see how to sketch that out with scripts. <<<<
Triggering change of direction on the script might end up as system
dependent.? If you can track the throttle for the consist address, then the change of direction can be noted and the script triggered, but that may be system specific tracking of the throttle, rather than universal for any DCC system.<<<<
Or,one could save one¡¯s self a lot of time, effort, and tears
by simply replacing whatever DCC system one has with any of
the NCE systems that already handles all of this for you,
includingthe ability to set CVs 21 and 22 _/once/_ (while
initially programming the engine), and neverhaving to
set/reset them each time an engine is added to a consist, or
the opposite end of the consist is now selected as the lead
locomotive.
The Power Cab listsfor 199.95, and is typically discounted
around 20%for an advertised price of around $160.00. If you
understand MAP policies, they can be found for even less.
So for $160 or less one can havea DCC system that handles all
this for you.? And . . . . you can furtherreduce the cost of
that new NCE system by selling off your old system.? When I
was a contract software develop 15 years ago thatprice was
slightly more than two hours pay.
Now before I get aton of hate mail <GRIN> I realize thereare
folks out there whoareonfixed incomes, think that specific
features of whatever system they have are the Bees Knees, or
are vestedin their current systems for some reason or other,
and there are folks out there with the skills, interest and
driveto come up with a programming solution to a problem
that¡¯s already been solved.? If that¡¯s your gig, go for it,
enjoy it, and have fun.
Why re-invent the wheel?
Best regards,
Steve
Steve Haas
Snoqualmie, WA
It's for my club, which is not large membership wise, and has little extra money available. The system we us is DCC++ which is not commercial, but works great.
I also re-engineered the DCC++ to make more room for loco slots, and it supports a total of up to 8 power districts, including the program track. ANY of the power districts other than the program track can either be a dumb district or a reverse section or a programmable intelligent district with different current limits, OR a combination reverse and intelligent district.
It's all modular allowing you to assemble it as you need, and uses ONLY readily available EBAY parts. It also uses RS-485 to drive the remote power district DCC signal and track power signal, so essentially there is no degradation at any realistic distance. The most expensive part of the system is the power board(s) which cost less than $10 per power district.
So, the investment in time and effort to change to an equivalent capability with a commercial system is simple not practical.
