running Scale Trains with BLI

[propmeup1]

Trying to run my Scale Trains gevo with a BLI AC6000. Scale Trains start up with #8 which kills the sound on BLI that starts with #9.    Any suggestion please. 

Thank you

[jagged ben]

There's surely a way to do it either with function remapping or by setting up the right consisting method.  For example you remap one locos sound to a different function, or probably you could also set the sound to respond only to that loco's address and not to the consist address, whatever you prefer.

Are you using an Advanced Consist? What DCC system do you have?

[thomasjmdavis]

Probably not this...but....first thing that popped into my head was "is enough power getting to the rails to power up 2 sound cards?"  Of course, if you have a big booster, it should be no problem.  But I have seen folks trying to power layouts with a 1 amp source, and then being surprised when they have issues with multiple sound equipped locos, even though handling several N scale non-sound locos presents no problems.

[Cajonpassfan]

I seem to recall that BLI P3 default is F8 on/off toggle. I’m not home now so I can’t check. Hitting F8 again should restart the sound.
(Double clicking F8 increases/decreases the volume, which I think is a really cool feature).
Ultimately though, remapping decoders from multiple manufacturers to whichever kind of common format one prefers is the way to go.
Good luck,
Otto K.

[propmeup1]

I have the NCE 5amp system plus another 5 amp booster. I usually run 3-4 trains at a time on both mains and fool around in the yard which gets me in trouble sometimes cause I'm not paying attention to the four running around.  Both mains are 116' each.   I'll look more into that double map thing plus there is a local show next weekend. i'll ask around there. My brain works best by watching and hands on.

[jagged ben]

Okay.  So, it's as I said above.   NCE uses Advanced Consists which means when you set up a consist it reprograms the decoders to respond to the consist address, which means they're responding to the same commands.  I believe you can program certain sound functions to not respond to the consist address so that would be one way to deal with it.  How to do so will be different for the two decoders.  Let us know if you want detailed instructions.  Or bring the decoder manuals to that show to have someone help you out. 

[jdcolombo]

Okay.  So, it's as I said above.   NCE uses Advanced Consists which means when you set up a consist it reprograms the decoders to respond to the consist address, which means they're responding to the same commands.  I believe you can program certain sound functions to not respond to the consist address so that would be one way to deal with it.  How to do so will be different for the two decoders.  Let us know if you want detailed instructions.  Or bring the decoder manuals to that show to have someone help you out.

Actually, it's not different for the two decoders.  It's the same.  It's an NMRA-defined standard.  CV 21 and CV22 control whether function keys respond to the consist address.  CV21 controls F1-F8.  CV22 Controls F0 and F9-F12.   See here:

http://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB923/cv19-cv21-cv22-advanced-consist-addressfunction-co/

What is happening is that CV21 is set so that F8 responds to the consist address on both locos.  If you read the value in CV21, you will likely find that the value is 128 or higher, meaning that bit 8 is set to "on" (bit 8 controls whether F8 responds to the consist address).  You can turn this off by programming CV21 so that F8 does NOT respond to the consist address.  They you will have to turn the sound on in the Scale Trains loco by dialing up its "regular" address and hitting F8.  If you set CV21 to zero, then NONE of the F1-F8 function keys will respond to the consist address, which is probably what you want.

BUT . . .

There is a second way to deal with this issue.  While ESU decoders by default turn the sound on when F8 is on, you can change this behavior so that the sound comes on when F8 is OFF - that is, the sound comes on when power is applied to the engine and F8 is off.  Go to this page and read the FAQ for "How do I reverse F8":

http://www.esu.eu/en/support/faq/loksound/loksound-select/

John C.

[propmeup1]

thank you,

KTB