Messed up Mars lights on a couple of DCC GP30's. Mars light was set to operate on Fn 1, independent of headlights. Currently, one does NOT have Mar light. Second has Mars light, but on only when going in Reverse. Tried to remap, according to Digitrax website. Needless to say, it did NOT work! One decoder is a DZ123, the other TCS. Not exactly sure which board! However, I'm looking to swap the DZ, with a TCS CN-GP board soon. Any simple ideas on how to get Mars light working again, on both units? Keeping in mind that I do NOT have a PR-x for computer use programming. Have a copy of JMRI, that I was given, years ago, on CD. May need to be updated, if installed.Or install new! Can do basic programming, without too much trouble! But, function mapping etc...is apparently a class I'm failing miserably!! Any help is much appreciated! Thanks!
Are you using JMRI? If not I would highly recommend doing so especially for something like this. When you are in decoder pro there is a tab that allows your to change the function map by simply checking off a check box under the F# list and the reference for the function. It makes programing so much simpler than trying to get the right CV and then the right hex to get the desired function. Er... sorry I re-read what you said about the computer. I love dyslexia, I thought it said you had the computer interface but had not tried JMRI. If you can get your hands on a PR unit or a Locobuffer-USB they are worth their weight in gold. Also JMRI changes constantly as new features are updated and as the system grows. So an old copy from a few years ago will pretty much be useless, you can download a the latest version for free.
I was looking t o go more in depth, years ago. Had a PR-1 at one time. No earthly clue where it is!! Another club member, years ago, copied a bunch of stuff for me. Never installed it. Now, I’m wanting to attempt to do a bit more! Will have to check laptop, and maybe install stuff there. Use it for programming and whatever else it’ll help with! Rarely used these days. A bit outdated as it still has Windows Vista on it! Could have sworn that Dad installed Win 7 on it at one time. Oh well, it still works!
Keep your eye out for things like a Locobuffer-USB or one of the PR units in the classifieds. On the Digitrax IO Group someone was selling a Locobuffer for $50 which is like 1/2 off just the other day. It sold fast. I would recommend a PR3 or PR4 or a Locobuffer-USB and avoid the others as they are going to be very legacy at this point. Locobuffer came in 3 or 4 flavors but the only supported one now is the USB version.
JMRI is HIGHLY recommended, especially for tasks like this! I recommend installing the latest version of JMRI if you have never used your older one. Updating from several years ago to the latest version can be a hassle, and if you have no prior use (loco rosters set up, etc.) then you gain nothing over installing latest JMRI production version from scratch. I'm so glad I never had to program decoders using a throttle! JMRI lays out the decoder register contents on screens with descriptions for bits/fields to make everything easier to understand and control. No more math or Boolean logic needed! Plus, JMRI gives you the ability to use any Apple or Android phone as a WiFi throttle (assuming the computer running JMRI is on the network).
Gonna be a while. Ordered a couple of decoders and the Locobuffer from Tony’s. The Hiawatha decoder and Locobuffer are both on backorder. No idea when those will show up! Once they arrive, maybe then I can get laptop set up and hopefully start learning how to get it set up and eventually, programming decoders! Should be interesting, once I’m set up and running.
