I posted about this concept last year in regard to ESU LokSound 5 sound decoders that have a configurable timer that's called a "Smart Start". Well, I already know how to create and fine-tune this countdown timer in LokSound 5 sound decoders what I was really shooting for was to create this for Zimo Elektronik MS sound decoders. Today I finally worked it out and I have a Smart Start Timer “Script” (.zsc) that emulates the automatic Shutdown/Startup (or a warm start) of a diesel locomotive prime mover for an amount of time adjustable by the user. I employed CV#982 as the timer duration setting (field) that can be altered by the user at their own discretion. I chose to use 180 seconds (3 min) for my initial setting.
So what does it do?
When you enable function key F8 (sound on/off) the prime mover Startup sound starts, runs up to Idle, and remains in Idle until you give the throttle some juice. If you do not gun the throttle right away then the Smart Start Timer Script starts its countdown timer (180 seconds). After the elapsed time the prime mover sound shuts down (plays the Shutdown sound), starts another countdown timer (180 seconds), and then plays the prime mover Startup sound once the timer finishes. If at anytime you gun the throttle the Smart Start Timer Script resets back to zero and waits for the conditions of Idle and Current Speed = 0. If you want to increase or decrease the Smart Start Timer length in seconds CV#982 is used to set the duration as required. What's nice about this (CV) is that you can simply edit the timer duration setting (field) without reloading the full sound project (.zsp), including the standalone (.zpp) file too.
If anyone has questions or wants a copy of this Zimo MS script (.zsc) please send me a PM here on TRW.
Have a great weekend everybody — happy railroading!
