Sig-naTrak Tony

17 minutes ago, johnd said:

I wonder what the future support and updates if any there will be for ACE-2  users ? !

 

21 minutes ago, mezzoman253 said:

 

I will continue to handle technical support enquiries, either by email to: gfbdesigns05@btinternet.com or by telephone on: +44 (0)7968 057919.

Many thanks for your custom and continued support!

Kindest regards,

 

Fraser

 

Proprietor - GFB Designs

 

3 hours ago, Nick G said:

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

My question is will the Sig-naTrak ACE Power Supply (15v 5.5A DC) on the website be a suitable replacement power source for my unit (picture attached). Think there is a broken wire or connection in my lead, if it moves a certain way the unit cuts out. Great system though love it. 2 years old on Christmas eve.

 

 

Hi Nick,

 

Thanks for your enquiry and I'm sorry to hear your power supply has developed a fault.

 

If you could please package and send the power supply and cables (including the mains lead with plug) back to Fraser we can investigate this and if required replace the power supply under warranty. There is no need to include the ACE-2 unit itself or other components unless it is also faulty.

 

Please include a copy of your proof of purchase if purchased from a retailer, a copy of the serial number (written on the bottom of the ace itself) and purchase date/order number (if purchased from Sig-naTrak directly), a description of the fault, and your name, address and contact details to

 

Sig-naTrak by GFB Designs

13 Hooper Close
Dunswell
Hull
HU6 9FG

 

I hope this helps resolve your issue, but if not please do get back in touch on here or by emailing info@signatrak.co.uk and Fraser or I will do our best to assist you further.

 

Regards Tony

7 minutes ago, SamThomas said:

In that case his comment makes little sense...................

Sam, it was your comment about how trade works quoting a 6 year old post that was the point I was making.

 

Ron is fully aware of how trade works, as are many other members of the forum, and a discussion about Gaugemaster's trade tactics on a forum thread about a manufacturers product that isn't sold by Gaugemaster isn't constructive; especially 6 years later.

 

Regards, Tony

Im also sure that's also a 6 year old post thats been pulled from way back.

I am not actively stalking the thread, but I am still here 'on behalf of' Fraser and Sig-naTrak.

 

I don't have a day-to-day involvement with the business any more due to my day job, but I am still around to give support and advice, and also act as a go-between to Fraser who isn't active on here.

 

How can I help?

Thanks Barnaby,

 

Due to the uncertainty in the aviation world, Fraser has had lots of full-time-work related issues in the last 12-18 months including a prolonged period of retraining for a new airline and aircraft, and moving from Stockport to London after the demise of his previous employer.

 

With the current 'climate' he has now been able to commit time to Sig-naTrak development during the current lockdown situation and while development is continuing on multiple products, the ACE firmware is very high on the priority list as a development we have been talking about for quite some time now.

 

Sorry I can't give a realistic date, but the noise they make as they fly past has been as frustrating to us as it has undoubtedly been for you guys.

 

Regards, T

It was Fraser who spoke to you today, but I'm glad we have been able to get it sorted and I'll pass on your thanks and regards.

1 hour ago, zoro said:

Won't go above CV 255 for me.

 

Hi Zoro,

 

If you could drop us an email at info@signatrak.co.uk I would like to investigate this further with you.

 

Regards, Tony

Good evening all.

 

There are no actual shortages or ACE-2's, DRIVER handsets, or the primary CML Range (DAC20/SIGM20/DTM30).

 

The manufacturing reduction has been caused by Fraser's day job moving at short notice following the demise of the airline he worked for earlier in the year. Fraser has now working for another airline but has had to completely re-certify for a new aircraft whilst temporarily relocating to another part of the country.

 

Thisnis the reason for the delays in manufacturing and shipping (because he is busy training).

 

We are still maintaining stocks at our authorised resellers, and will be at TINGS next weekend. Orders placed on our website are taking about 10 days at the moment, but we have had to be conservative with our shipping schedule during this time.

 

I hope this helps clarify a few points.

 

Regards,Tony

I must stress that I was pointing towards the ECoS for the integrated touch screen and custom moulded case and so on that was being discussed.

 

"Associated Costs" was directly aimed at the other side of the tablet ... so connection to your layout, software and so on (such as the £120 for the PiSprog option and the setting up of it).

 

I feel that I am being put on the defensive about the ACE at the moment. While I am sure that is not the intention, I think it's time to say unequivocally that the form factor of the ACE is not likely to change in the foreseeable future. An expensive case moulding or flush iPad style screens are not really an option with the small volumes that we are producing. Those touch screens are designed to use a mated touch panel and display, which we are not doing with a 4 inch display and 7 inch touch panel. While the look of the ACE may not be ideal, it was a matter of finding a suitable case that could hold all the components, including the ports on the back in the most user-friendly manner. The case we use has an angled top for better viewing, all the others we looked at were "oblong" in shape and gave poor visibility of the screen with reflections from lights, and having to lean over to see the screen.

 

The DRIVER handset does not suit everybody, and we accept that. We knew this when it was built, but at the same time they are working well for lots of people. We have always said that we will continue to develop the ACE, and we are continuing to do so - albeit slowly of late and this has also been explained in previous posts.

This will include the following interfaces that we are in the process of developing at the moment ...

• LocoNet interface
  • Will allow you to plug in the Digitrax (and compatible) throttle handsets including the Zepher and DT40x series to the ACE.
  • Will allow you to plug the ACE into an existing LocoNet cabled layout and use Digitrax UPx series panels with IR and use the wireless handsets to control the ACE
  • Will allow you to use the ACE on an existing Digitrax Command Station as a throttle
• ExpressNet interface
  • Will allow you to plug compatible XpressNet throttles into the ACE.
• Radio Control interface
  • This module will allow you to use radio fitted "DRIVER" handsets with the ACE without the need to be connected to the ace with physical wires.
  • We also hope to develop an enhanced throttle for use with the Radio interface that will also allow you to change loco and throw points and accessories.
• Enhanced USB Interface Protocol
  • This will allow users to connect to the PC and use the ACE through JMRI/RR&C/RocRail and possibly also the Hornby Railmaster and Bachmann Dynamis software.

Once we have the USB interface working, you would be able to use the iPad and Android WiThrottle/EngineDriver software with the ACE.

 

As you can imagine, we are a very small team and operating as a part-time "hobby" business at the moment. If we were able to leave our day jobs behind and concentrate on this full time we would, but unfortunately mortgages, rent, and general life means that we are unable to do so.

My only slight niggle is that the repeat rate on buttons is a bit slow, for example when typing in a loco address, there needs to be a very slight pause between taps of the number keys, but that is only a very minor preference, and overall am very happy with the unit.

JDW, It was nice to talk with you over the weekend and am pleased your initial experience with the ACE have been positive.

 

Variable-speed key auto repeat is on the wish list for V4 functionality, as is the communication interface API for USB and OPTIONS port IO control for PC control and the LocoNet and ExpressNet interfaces. This will also open up the ability to use more complicated throttle handsets.

Maybe installing the touchscreen from above the front panel with a neat bezel around it would help change the appearance a little, or possibly a screen that is the full size of the case, with less of a border around it ?

The style of touch panel that is used on the ACE, which is a resistive rather than capacitive screen, must have a border as it has a 'dead zone' around the edge of the screen. I must also point out that tge ACE only has a 4 inch screen, the rest of the 7 inch touch panel being a static button section which was on all active screens anyway and reduced the cost of the screen.

 

Unfortunately, a custom moulding with a nice bezel would (as previously stated) add a large tooling and moulding cost for the volume we anticipate producing and as the screen we use is not compatible with a flat panel capacitive iPad/Tablet style screen.

 

If you are after an iPad style controller, I would have to suggest that an iPad or Android tablet (with its associated costs) plus some form of interface for it via WiFi or Bluetooth to your layout would suite your needs better than the ACE.

 

Have you considered the ESU ECoS controller?

Hi Guys, sorry for the delay in getting back to you all with these questions, but I hope the following will answer them all as best I can.

 

The last year has been a learning curve for Fraser and I. Fraser has been manufacturing the ACE in-house and this has taken its toll on the development of further products and enhancements to the ACE itself.

 

The new "ACE-2" unit that was mentioned is being sub-contract manufactured (still in the UK though) and, the cost of this outsourced manufacturing was going to always add increase the price of the ACE. To try and absorb this, we have incorporated the USB module on-board which reduced the cost of producing a second board, and made the price of the ACE+USB and ACE2 comparable in terms of functionality and cost. Also, the cost of individual components have increased exponentially in the last two years since we purchased the components to make the first batches of the ACE.

 

There has been a delay due to the sourcing of display modules, and finding a suitable manufacturer in the UK.

 

Tony, your post #127 mentions future compatibility with LocoNet. While I take it this is primarily to ensure your former CML boards can function seemlessly with th ACE can you expand on this development as it may present a nicer interface for us established Digitrax users.

 

Yes on both counts here. We are intending to develop the LocoNet add-on to allow for the use of the CML boards, and also more enhanced throttles to allow for point control and switching to control another loco without returning to the ACE panel first (such as the DT40x type handset). The benefit of this will be that the ACE will also then work as a Throttle which it should be possible to plug into a DCS150 type command station unit to get the touchscreen interface.

 

Supprised to see the ACE DCC controller is 'out of stock' on the Sig-Na-Track website, but also that there is no mention of the ACE-2 due for release in March (according to the ad in Hornby Mag).

The only thing I can gleem from the ad is that the ACE-2 has the USB interface built-in and has a price tag of £192 for the 3.5amp version.
Maybe Tony can give us some more details. I.e. Any new firmware updates including 'route' setting.

 

There was no mention of the ACE-2 as it was to be announced in March, but as the "March edition" of most mags are released in Feb, this has caught us out.

 

There are currently no firmware updates planned for the initial release of the ACE-2, and the only change from a user point of view will be the built in USB port. There will be firmware updates to v4 when we release the LocoNet interface.

 

Regarding the cost, we are now selling it through a number of retailers who obviously must also make a profit and the new RRP also takes account of this, with us making a loss on the units sold by retailers as the original price was based on GFB Designs (Sig-naTrak) selling them directly.

 

The USB interface seems to be of comparatively limited benefit - firmware updates. Not sure that having it internally is a huge improvement.

I keep being tempted by one of these. It does look fairly "Fisher Price", but you can't argue with the cost!

 

The USB Interface is initially only for firmware updates, but we are working to allow it to be operated using PC control in the future. This has been delayed as we are a part time business and development has taken a back-burner while we have attempted to keep up with demand for the ACE, as well as our other Sig-naTrak products and the learning curve required to support and manufacture the CML control boards as well.

 

Now that the ACE has been sub-contracted, we are able to concentrate on the other options and expansions we hope to release for the ACE and also to update some of the CML products to be a little more user-friendly and compatible.

 

While I won't agree or disagree with the "Fisher Price"/"V-Tech" comments about the design of the case for the ACE and DRIVER, I will make the following points ...

* the DRIVER handset is designed to be a basic handset with limited functionality which has been built "to a cost" to allow for cheap additional control, that is child friendly - allowing younger children to use the Driver without being given a £150-£200 control unit with glass and more fragile electronics components inside. The case for the DRIVER is designed to pop open upon impact rather than to break/smash open as part of the design of it. This means that (like the old nokia phones and Smart car concept) that the impact is taken by the separation of the case, rather than break the unit.

 

* the case for the ACE is an off-the-shelf case which we have modified with a cut-out for a 7 inch screen and 4 inch display. We simply do not have the money to develop a custom moulded case for the ACE, with tooling costs in excess of £15,000 for a unit that we were uncertain of the success of. While we are now confident of the retailability of the ACE, to make back the £15k on the tooling (before the cost of the manufacture of the cases and minimum order quantity) would have included adding more to the price of the ACE. As the increase by £34 (but incorporating the USB) has already raised comments - despite it still being cheaper than many of the other controllers in this functionality range - how could we then justify making a custom moulded case and adding another £30 (based on 500 units sold) to the cost on top?

 

What would make the ACE less "Fisher Price" like?

What would make the DRIVER less "Fisher Price" like?

What additional functions (other than Routes which we are working on) would you like to see from the ACE in v4?

 

Regards, Tony

Hi Guys,

 

Thanks as always for the feedback and praise.

 

As always if anyone has any questions regarding the ACE, please feel free to ask here and I will do my best to answer them.

 

If you don't wish to ask in public or you have something more random, Fraser and I are also available by email from the Sig-naTrak website (link in my footer).

As promised earlier in the week, we have today released the USB Interface Module for the ACE DCC Controller for pre-order from our shop.

It will be available for collection from the Warley Exhibition at the NEC at the end of November, or for those not attending the exhibition, will be posted out on 1st December.

The UBI2044 is used for updating the firmware on the ACE DCC Controller, and it is intended, also to be used for PC Control in the future.

The latest version of the ACE Firmware (v3.20) will also be released at the same time, and this includes the following updates to the ACE software.

• 16 user assignable function sets, allowing locomotives to have individually named function buttons. This is especially useful for DCC Sound fitted locos.
• Faster response times to the touch panel and from DRIVER handsets to allow for easier DCC sound control.
• Factory Reset and Touch Screen Re-calibration functions.
• Emergency Stop software updates.
• Internal code structure changes in preparation for LocoNet® and PC control functions.

The UBI2044 USB Interface Module is available to pre-order now from the Sig-naTrak website for only £30.00

 

Further Firmware updates will be made available from time-to-time to add functionality and for bug-fixes as required.

https://www.signatrak.co.uk/products/ace-dcc-controller-accessories/ubi2044_usbmodule

 

 

Notes:
GFB Designs - trading as Sig-naTrak® are licenced developers of LocoNet® devices. LocoNet® is a registered trademark of Digitrax Inc.

This is great news Tony, thanks. As a dunce, can you just confirm that when you say the firmware will be available, does that mean I can then download it and update my ACE using a memory stick, or do I have to have the ACE attached to my laptop for the upgrade to take place?

 

Mike

 

The ACE will need to be connected to a Windows PC using the UBI2044 USB Module, and an application you download from the Sig-naTrak website will run on the PC to send the updated version of the ACE Operating System to the ACE over the USB cable. It can unfortunately not be done with a USB stick.

 

Tony

Hi Tony

Does this mean that only the functions assigned to individual locos, will be displayed (i.e. if a stored loco has a 4 function decoder, only those functions will be available for selection and not unavailable higher numbers)?

 

Ron

No, sorry Ron,

 

This means that you can have 16 different sets of 29 function names (Set A-P), each set having different options for momentary or latching buttons ...

 

Set A "default" - LIGHTS, F1, F2 (mom), F3 (mom), F4, F5 (mom), F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11 ....

Set D "diesel" - H/LITE, ENSTRT, HI-LO, LO-HI, DOORS (mom), I/LITE, SQUEEL (mom), HRN-HI (mom), HRN-LO (mom), BELL, WHISTLE (mom), ....

Set E "electric" - H/LITE, START, HI-LO, LO-HI, DOORS (mom), INLITE, PGRAPH, HRN-HI (mom), HRN-LO (mom), WHISTLE (mom), COUPLE (mom) ....

Set K "steam" - H/LITE, BELL, L-WSTL (mom), S-WSTL (mom), STMREL (mom), SMOKE (mom), SMOKE, DIMMER, MUTE, WATER (mom), INJECT (mom), COUPLE (mom) ....

Set L "all latching" - LIGHTS, F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11 ....

Set M "all momentary" - LIGHTS, F1 (mom), F2 (mom), F3 (mom), F4 (mom), F5 (mom), F6 (mom), F7 (mom), F8 (mom), F9 (mom), F10 (mom), F11 (mom) ....

Set P "default" - LIGHTS, F1, F2 (mom), F3 (mom), F4, F5 (mom), F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11 ....

 

On all function sets, you will have all 29 functions, none of the buttons will be disabled, but you can always delete the name so that the buttons are blank.

Momentary buttons (so release to OFF), are displayed in dark green (light green while pressed), and latching buttons are displayed in Dark Blue while active, and light blue while active. Each function button name can be upto 6 characters in length (any longer and it was either too difficult to read because of font size, or too long for the button).

 

While I have listed only some function sets, all of the sets will be active, and all function sets will be set to the default setting unless individually edited by the user. If you are happy with one function set or F1-F28 all latching, then no editing needs to be done to the function sets.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Tony

Hi Tony

 

Will the USB Module come complete with fitting instructions.

 

Regards

 

It will come with full fitting instructions (including photographs) and an ACE User Manual supplement to include the use of the firmware updater.

 

Tony

Hi John,

Sorry for the delay in replying to you.

The USB Module (UBI2044) will be officially released at Warley, along with an updated version of the firmware (v3.20) which has a number of updates including...

• Faster DRIVER and touchscreen response times.
• 16 different function sets for trains (allowing different locos to have differently named function buttons AND momentary (release to OFF) or latching (press ON, press OFF) functions).
• Factory reset option (to be used with caution!)

The firmware will also be available on our website from the 1st December. We will also commence shipping of the UBI2044 module from this date.

The UBI2044 module will be available for pre-order from this Friday, with the option to collect at Warley or shipped on 1st December.

Regards Tony

... Are there any plans to allow it to connect & run with PC layout control software like JMRI or RocRail ?

Hi Pete,

 

We have developed a usb module, and are currently developing a LocoNet interface for the ACE. We then hope to develop the USB module further with PC Control from JMRI, RR&C & RocRail subject to developer support.

 

Unfortunately I do not have a time frame for the release of the PC Control at the moment.

 

Regards Tony.

Just wanted to say that I had an issue with my ACE where there the screen for the handheld controllers locked, I contacted Signatrak, posted my ACE to them on Friday 23rd and by Wednesday 28th it was back with me good as new and with the latest firmware added to boot! no charge for the repair and my postage was reimbursed as well.

          All in all a great service which bodes well for the future of Signatrak.

 

Simon

 

Hi Simon, glad we could sort out the issue with it. The issue was caused by a fault between the DRIVER and the ACE causing erroneous data and the software locking out because it wasn't sure what to do with it. We fixed the lock-out in a later version of the firmware, and as you can't upgrade the firmware yourself yet, it would be wrong to charge you for a software glitch so felt it was only right to cover this under warranty :-)

 

Thanks for the positive feedback once again, and I hope you have lots of fun ... I mean serious railway testing ... this weekend as you originally had planned.

 

We'll be at the Wigan Show this weekend at the Robin Park Leisure Centre (next to the DW Stadium just outside the centre of town, less than a mile from Wigan Stations) if anyone would like to pop in and see the ACE (or any of our other products) in action.

 

Regards, Tony

 

Click here for more details of the exhibition including Google Maps directions 

What happened to the route function? This was shown in an earlier version of the manual as a 'Future option' but seems to have been dropped in the latest version. Hope this is not the case.

 

Tender, as I said above,

"Following the purchase of the CML business earlier in the year, we have been getting to grips with the "new" products in our range. We have not forgotten about the ACE though and we are currently working on a number of options".

 

While I did not specifically mention the route function, it is on the list of additions and upgrades that we are working on to roll out. Unfortunately, there are simply not enough hours in the day to do everything at once, and despite the appearance of the new website and ever extending range, Sig-naTrak is still run as a cottage industry part time business and Fraser's full-time job does still take precedence.

 

I have joined Fraser in an administrative and customer service/support role, helping with the running of the shop, website, support enquiries and at exhibitions to enable him to spend more time working on the things that matter to you all ... product development and production.

 

How about being able to individualy name functions for say just a bank of your first 10 locos.. That would probably solve the problem for me.. Just a thought..Thanks for answering us Fraser.

 

You could name a function for all of your locos ;-) but as I said above, renaming a function for only a few locos is not currently supported.

 

Regards Tony

Thanks Tony. Fraser mentioned that a series of updates to functionality are in the pipeline. I realise this all takes time, but do you know what the first is likely to be, and very roughly when - for example, wireless operation?

Hi Mike,

 

Following the purchase of the CML business earlier in the year, we have been getting to grips with the "new" products in our range.

 

We have not forgotten about the ACE though and we are currently working on a number of options including the Wireless option, a LocoNet interface - which will also complement the former CML range of products and we are also working on the USB module which will allow users to install updates and will hopefully be available soon.

 

Unfortunately, we don't have any timescales yet, but I will endeavour to get some realistic timescales for you.

Sorry for the late reply to this thread guys!

 

Thanks for the good feedback on the ACE guys.

 

Unfortunately, at the present time, if you rename a button on the ACE, it will rename it for all locos.

If we were to allow all saved 127 locomotive registers to have 28 functions, this would very quickly start to use up lots of the ACE's memory (3556 individual button names). Adding the USED/NOT-USED option adds another 3556 too. We are however looking into options for this in a future firmware update ... but not just yet.

 

Leaving them all as F0-F28 however, gives you the same functions (and names) as available in most other DCC Command Stations, at a lower price.

 

Regarding the Stylus comment made earlier in the thread, we do ship a stylus similar to those shipped with the Nintendo DS with the ACE. You can also use the blunt end of a pen (the lid of a biro works well and is what I use at exhibitions to demonstrate).