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I searched the forum and checked a few places on line but I cant find too much about it. I was wondering if its possible to relocate a function to a different unused button. Example: My F2 button has never been "right". Its intermittent so I would like to set up button F5 to perform the function.
I have a very basic MRC Prodigy Express so I fully understand that I am probably very limited in some of these areas, I also know I'm limited with the quality of this DCC system as well, LOL.
Eh, on the DCC cab? I'd think, if you know how to wire it, that might work, however, I'd think your best bet is to get a new cab, or system, to move its location, unfortunately...
Eh, on the DCC cab? I'd think, if you know how to wire it, that might work, however, I'd think your best bet is to get a new cab, or system, to move its location, unfortunately...
I was just set to edit my original post when you posted. I found online a QSI manual for my decoder (Walthers N Scale) and found a few things. The manual that came with the locomotive is very vague. Anyway, I found how to set up the different outputs (Whistle/horn, Bell, etc) to turn the output off or on, depending on the state of the locomotive (Forward/reverse, Neutral). I even found some blurbs on moving these outputs to different function buttons but no actuall CV steps/instructions are given.
Some of this is frustrating, not because of the locomotives or even the electronics, its the horrid explanations and instructions some of these companies provide.
Look in the QSI manual under "Remapping Functions". You can change almost any button from one function to another, it's just a matter of finding and setting the right CV. I find all this much easier using Decoder Pro. It's a free download. You don't need to connect the computer to the controller. You just choose your decoder type, change the functions you want using plain English, usually from dropdown boxes, and then note which CV changed and to what value. Change the same CV on the controller and you're done.
AWESOME, as LotoQuestions tried to get me to do, I finally got my Vista to play nice with Decoder Pro so I think I'm in there. And yes, I see what both of you are talking about with the changes and being able to "Cheat" by easily accessing the CV #'s after making changes so that will help.
Thanks again for the help,
Andy
Cool, Andy. Decoder Pro is a fantastic program and it's even easier to use if you can get your controller to interface with your computer. This is easy with my Digitrax and the loco buffer, just using the USB port on the controller and the computer. Unfortunately, your MRC Prodigy Express doesn't have computer interface ability. You can still use the "cheat" method quite effectively though.
My main computer is a Vista 64 bit machine and I had a devil of a time getting DP to work on it. I hate Vista 64 bit. Since my computer is upstairs and the layout is in the basement, I obviously couldn't use the computer interface ability of the Zephyr either. I had an old XP laptop I used for the layout but it finally died. I was able to get a HANNspree netbook with wi-fi, bluetooth card reader, web cam, 1 gig of RAM, a ten inch screen that's really easy to read, and a 160 Gb hard drive, all for $289! It has a six cell litium battery that will run the computer on battery for a little more than five hours. The best part is it still runs good old XP SP3, so anything runs on it. Decoder Pro was a snap to set up on it. It only weighs three pounds and is a great little computer for travelling also. If you're in the market for a computer for your train room, I highly recommend this netbook. I got it at http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5057537&CatId=3987 and, if you read the reviews, almost everyone who's bought one is happy with it.
^ Thanks again to both of you, it does help out and I already swapped function buttons with outputs (Still have an issue with getting short blasts of whistle instead of full ones but thats for another time)
I can live with the cheat method, it's really nice to have the CV, primary and secondary info all right in front of your eyes at the same time. No more flipping back and forth through PDF pages 's trying to assemble the correct set voodoo numbers.
Im a happy camper and may even play around with BEMF just to see if I can smooth her out even more.
You can still use the "cheat" method quite effectively though. 
Since my computer is upstairs and the layout is in the basement, I obviously couldn't use the computer interface ability of the Zephyr either. I had an old XP laptop I used for the layout but it finally died. I was able to get a HANNspree netbook with wi-fi, bluetooth card reader, web cam, 1 gig of RAM, a ten inch screen that's really easy to read, and a 160 Gb hard drive, all for $289! It has a six cell litium battery that will run the computer on battery for a little more than five hours. The best part is it still runs good old XP SP3, so anything runs on it. Decoder Pro was a snap to set up on it. It only weighs three pounds and is a great little computer for travelling also. If you're in the market for a computer for your train room, I highly recommend this netbook. I got it at 