What function key does what?

[badgerV8]

Hi folks, I'm reasonably new to this DCC malarkey so please go easy on me, and sorry if this isn't the place to ask this particular question.....

 

I'm using Hornby Railmaster with e-link (which so far I'm pretty comfortable with) and I'm slowly fitting DCC Sound to my collection, or replacing older locos with newer sound equipped models.

 

When I add a new loco using the Railmaster software, it will always populate the Function Key list if it's a Hornby TTS decoder but more often than not it won't populate the list if it's a Bachmann loco with an ESU Loksound decoder, irrespective of whether it's V3.5 or V4.

 

I have found that not all my locos have been programmed with the same functions on the same F-keys (i.e. two-tone horn may be F3 on one loco but F5 on another!), is there a "standard" list anywhere of what sound function should be on which F-key, or is there an easier way to find out other than by random selection and writing the results down for each and every loco?

 

Thanks in advance.

[tractor_37260]

Welcome to the forum

 

There is no set standard for the layout of F keys, different manufacturers put different sounds on different keys, although some are more or less standard - F0 lights and F1 sound On/Off.  On higher quality decoders like Loksound and Zimo function Key sounds can be swapped around via function "mapping" using either a programmer or a DCC system that's capable of reading and writing CV's. I'm not that familiar with Hornby TTS sound decoders, but AFAIK you may not be able to swap around what F Key does what.  Although a number of suppliers use Loksound decoders, the Function Key allocation/layout will very likely be different for each.

 

If you have a number of different sound decoders, compiling a list of which F Key does what is one option.

 

HTH

 

Ken

[badgerV8]

^{Thanks Ken, I was hoping maybe there was a way to avoid sitting in a cold loft in the north of Scotland for hours doing trial and error on every loco to compile a list, but from what you say I'm going to have to. I'm nowhere near confident enough to start trying to swap functions around, so I'm happy to go with what's there, I just need to know what is there, haha.}

Edited January 3, 2018 by badgerV8

[BoD]

^{Thanks Ken, I was hoping maybe there was a way to avoid sitting in a cold loft in the north of Scotland for hours doing trial and error on every loco to compile a list..........}

I don't think I've ever bought a decoder or sound fitted loco that doesn't come with a list of the Function buttons and their use/associated sounds.

[badgerV8]

BoD, that's what I get for purchasing second-hand sound fitted locos I guess....  Bought mainly at shows and demonstrated working okay, I'll know what to look out for in future.

[BoD]

Yes, it always pays to know if the decoder is fitted by the manufacturer of the loco or who's sound project is Installed on the decoder.

Try checking the manufacturer's sites they often have downloadable versions of their instructions.

At least you will be able to do it in the warm.

Edited January 3, 2018 by BoD

[RAF96]

@badger

In RM if you look at the loco setup screen with the functions tabled.

 

Select the loco you want to populate with Bachmann sounds and press the double arrow icon (pictured) in sequence and it will bring up several default sound function lists for you. Saves having to hand write in all your functions, even if you have to amend a few.

 

Rob

Edited January 4, 2018 by RAFHAAA96

[D9020 Nimbus]

F1 for sound on/off is only standard on U.K. and some European prototype locos. Trix generally have sound on/off on F2; most US locos use F8 (F1 on US locos normally turns the bell on or off). F0 for lights is the only standard I'm aware of.

[badgerV8]

Cheers guys, yes everything I have checked so far has sound on F1 and lights, where fitted, on F0.

 

RAFHAAA96, that's the problem Rob - it won't populate for some locos. I've done most today, just got a Bachmann Class 47 left to do now, hopefully have it done over the weekend.

 

P.S. Rob, what entry were you? 96th??

[RAF96]

@badger

 

Correct with 96th - I also run their website. www.halton96th.co.uk

 

RM - if all else fails then its type the function descriptions in by hand not forgetting to add words space on/off for latching functions.

 

Rob

[badgerV8]

I was a "little" later Rob, 140 entry!

[teiger]

So I see there are many questions in forumson how to setup Bachmann locos on Railmaster or Hornby locos on Dynamics etc. It ends up with everyone setting up and programming by themselves.

Has anyone in the community thought of starting a database of Bachmann/Dapol/Heljan/Hornby locos that could be made available for download, much as Railmaster has a Hornby database?

[Pete the Elaner]

1 hour ago, teiger said:

So I see there are many questions in forumson how to setup Bachmann locos on Railmaster or Hornby locos on Dynamics etc. It ends up with everyone setting up and programming by themselves.

Has anyone in the community thought of starting a database of Bachmann/Dapol/Heljan/Hornby locos that could be made available for download, much as Railmaster has a Hornby database?

A forum is not very well suited for something like that.

It may well have a very good search function but I have often remembered seeing something then spent ages trying to find it again after it has got lost in the many pages of chat. Sometimes I have been unable to find it again at all.

 

A wiki is a much better way of storing & retrieving data but is not without its disadvantages:

The purpose of a wiki is that everyone is able to contribute, but most people fail to understand this & expect someone else to update it.

There are so many users on RMWeb & seemingly so many arguments that there would be a lot of information which contradicts each other.

It would need someone to set it up. Considering the above 2 issues, I am not sure anyone would want to do this.

 

I keep a booklet with a page for each of my sound fitted locos. I could keep them in a spreadsheet but I prefer a booklet.