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One of the nice things about DCC
is that it has the capability to control many different things on
the loco and train - things such as lights, smoke units, couplers,
horn, and many other sounds. Each thing is controlled by a separate
Function Button and can be controlled
independently of the others at any time. However, some people may
have a preference as to which button to push to turn various lights
on and off, ring the bell, etc.
Decoder function wires (Outputs)
are generally operated from the throttle button of the same number
- i.e., function #1 (Function 1) Output on the decoder is controlled
by Function Button #1 on the throttle, etc. Generally speaking, you
simply connect the function #1 wire to the thing you want to control
with the Function 1 button, and so on. In most cases, you really don't
need Function Remapping.
However, some functions come pre-wired,
such as those on a SoundTraxx sound decoder. SoundTraxx sound decoders
use several functions for various background sounds as well as HyperLights.
Function Remapping allows you to program which background sound will
be controlled by which Function Button on the hand-held throttle.
Further, it also allows you to control multiple Outputs with a single
button if desired or to control a single function with more than one
button if desired.
Other decoder manufacturers allow
for Function Remapping of general-purpose function Output wires for
other reasons. For example, it can provide for more than one decoder
to be used when you need more functions than a single decoder has.
We have one customer who lights up everything; front light, rear light,
Mars light, cab light, number boards, roof strobe, truck lights, running
board lights, Blinking Ditch Lights, you name it. This can require
more functions than one decoder generally allows for. If the functions
of the second decoder can be remapped to buttons not used by the
first decoder, you can have two decoders on the same loco with the
same address to have more functional control. Without Function Remapping,
you have to use two different addresses to control all the different
functions. |
| Another use for Function Remapping is the possibility
to allow two different function wires to be controlled by the same Function
Button, as well as allowing two different Function Buttons to control
the same function wire. |
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For example, you can map the Function Button #1 button
to operate Output #s 1 and 2, while Function Button #2 still operates
Output #2 by itself. This example has two Outputs being operated by
one button and one button operating two Outputs. The versatility is
enormous, but not limitless as discussed later.
There are systems now available that have up to 13-function
Buttons (0-12). CVs 33 and 34 are provided for Function 0 forward
and Function 0 reverse while CVs 35 through 46 are provided for functions
1 through 12.
At right is a chart showing the remapping capability. |
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