Blunami Android app

@Norton posted:

DCC is for folks that like to build their own trains. PS3 and Legacy is for folks that like to run trains.

Pete,

I'm glad it all reduces down to something this simple.  Can we also assume that those who build are tinkerers and those who run are generally not, leading to the idea that tinkerers are better served by DCC in lieu of DCS and TMCC/Legacy?

I say this because its quite clear in reality that both DCS and Legacy require occasional tinkering too.  We see feedback here on the forum on a daily basis that tells us this, and just to reinforce the point, we also see negative comments about poor product quality coming from people who expect that no tinkering should ever be required.

In conclusion, maybe DCC is best for all, not just builders?

Mike

@gunrunnerjohn, To set the prime mover up go to Settings->Other Settings-> set Engine RPM Interlock to enabled. This is so the engine won't move until it's started.

Also in Other settings-> set Engine AutoStart Enable to disabled. Now when power is supplied it will stay silent until the F5 button ( RPM+) is pressed. It will then begin the start up sequence. Once the loco is stopped and at idle, pressing the F6 (RPM-) button will start the shut down sequence.

I will have to look up which values in which CV's need to be set to enable rule 17. I cheated when I set mine up, since I have a DCC system I used DecoderPro to set the headlight to dim when stopped, and to also perform the forward and reverse signals on the horn and bell when movement starts. Don't have a cab light so didn't set that up, but it can be done also.

The basic lighting is set in Settings->Light Settings->Headlight settings-> set Lighting effect to Diesel-light and set FWD Directional Control to Yes.

The same settings hold for Backuplight settings.

I had to watch carefully to see the difference between on/off headlight and the diesel light, but there is one to be sure.

Answered Embedded

@Darrell posted:

@gunrunnerjohn, To set the prime mover up go to Settings->Other Settings-> set Engine RPM Interlock to enabled. This is so the engine won't move until it's started.

Boy, that sure doesn't convey the point, at least to me!  I think what they need is a glossary with descriptions of each setting.

Also in Other settings-> set Engine AutoStart Enable to disabled. Now when power is supplied it will stay silent until the F5 button ( RPM+) is pressed. It will then begin the start up sequence. Once the loco is stopped and at idle, pressing the F6 (RPM-) button will start the shut down sequence.

I did set AutoStart to disabled, that didn't do anything different for me.  Why not have them labeled Startup and Shutdown?

I will have to look up which values in which CV's need to be set to enable rule 17. I cheated when I set mine up, since I have a DCC system I used DecoderPro to set the headlight to dim when stopped, and to also perform the forward and reverse signals on the horn and bell when movement starts. Don't have a cab light so didn't set that up, but it can be done also.

The basic lighting is set in Settings->Light Settings->Headlight settings-> set Lighting effect to Diesel-light and set FWD Directional Control to Yes.

I did that as well, still didn't work.

The same settings hold for Backuplight settings.

Ditto, no effect.

I had to watch carefully to see the difference between on/off headlight and the diesel light, but there is one to be sure.

There are intensity adjustments all over the place, one of them must be the difference between stopped and moving for Rule-17 I would expect.  I tinkered with a bunch of them, but never made a dent.  I did affect the static brightness of the headlight, just never got any Rule-17 effect.

I see a ton of settings, but there needs to be some sort of reference to what they all do and how they interact.

Another useful thing would be a CV summary of all the bits and their effect.  I find bits and pieces, but not a complete reference.

I clearly have to spend more time with the app, but that sure flies in the face of the Soundtraxx videos of how easy it is.

@Rick Rubino posted:

I use an old I pad to change a lot of settings on the Blunami as it's easier to see.

That sounded like a good idea, but it was a bust.  Apparently I have an iPad that's too old, mine is a 4th gen MD510LL/A with IOS 10.3.3, and Blunami says it's incompatible and won't install.  It did install on my Android Galaxy Note 4 from a few years back, but it keeps crashing, so that's useless as well.  The only device it's run remotely properly on is my Samsung Galaxy S21 5G phone.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Answered Embedded

I see a ton of settings, but there needs to be some sort of reference to what they all do and how they interact.

Another useful thing would be a CV summary of all the bits and their effect.  I find bits and pieces, but not a complete reference.

I clearly have to spend more time with the app, but that sure flies in the face of the Soundtraxx videos of how easy it is.

You have only had this two days.  Not time to panic yet.  Just take a step back and explore.  Blunami app menus are easier than learning DCC.  That was the whole point.  Just try to learn something new each session you try it.  Again, I highly recommend you subscribe to Soundtraxx videos.  George usually comes out with a tip every week.

I still look at my sons Legacy remote and say, "Ok, I turned it on... now what do I do?".  Heck, Barry had to write a book for all of us to learn DCS.  Over time you will learn all of the options and functions.

At first blush, I thought you may be at a disadvantage trying this on an incomplete and unofficially released android app.  But in reality, maybe that is a good thing.  You can learn what the current app does and as new features are released, you can gradually learn them as they come.

Please feel free to contact me, PM, email, phone if you have problems or questions.  I would be thrilled to help you.  Lord knows you have been there for me many times in the past.

Have Fun!

Ron

Well, I did find the reference to all the CV's and their functions, but I'm not sure that was a good thing!   I've always been told how cryptic DCC was when you jumped into the configuration of the CV's for an application, but now I understand the comment!   I won't live long enough to digest all of that!

I'm curious how large the software base for the Blunami, or any fully implemented DCC product is!

Another way to think of learning DCC is compare it to learning ADCPM. How long did it take you, assuming you tried, to alter a sound file. At least thats possible with DCS. For Legacy you would need the source code. I suspect the learning curve on that is even longer.

Pete

I think learning DCC with any degree of fluency will take a lot longer than learning to use ADCPM to mod a sound file.

Since it's not possible to modify the Legacy sound files for anyone but Lionel, that's kind of a moot point.

Here is the Soundtrax guides I use most often:

https://soundtraxx.com/content...el_technical_ref.pdf

https://soundtraxx.com/content...iesel_usersguide.pdf

Also make sure analog mode is disabled, if it is not then the autostart settings are ignored and the prime mover will always start when DC power is applied.

To enable Rule 17 headlight:

Settings->LIght Settings->Brightness

Brightness1=150

Dimmer Level=75

Settings->CV Settings->CVs Page1

CV401=12

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Since it's not possible to modify the Legacy sound files for anyone but Lionel, that's kind of a moot point.

Hardly Moot. You miss the point again. With DCC you can be part of the creative process. With Legacy you have no part unless you consider it creative to crimp pins on the ends of wires.

Pete

Check out the opening Blunami video on the SoundTraxx website. It's delightful!

@Darrell posted:

To enable Rule 17 headlight:

Settings->LIght Settings->Brightness

Brightness1=150

Dimmer Level=75

Settings->CV Settings->CVs Page1

CV401=12

Well, there are a number of brightness settings, but these made no difference, it stays dim.  I also set CV401 to 12, no effect.  I'm sure there's yet another overlapping function that is causing the disconnect, but it sure isn't obvious!

@Norton posted:

Hardly Moot. You miss the point again. With DCC you can be part of the creative process. With Legacy you have no part unless you consider it creative to crimp pins on the ends of wires.

Pete

Pete,

I do.  In any endeavor, hobby or otherwise, creativity extends to whatever length it needs to go, even if it's simply crimping terminals on the ends of wires.

If you think that's not creative then perhaps we should be questioning the efforts of folks like @Sid's Trains with his fine Legacy upfits.  Are they not creative?

And then this begs a follow-up question: Do you run anything that's not DCC, i.e. is not creative?  If so why?

Mike

@Darrell posted:

Also make sure analog mode is disabled, if it is not then the autostart settings are ignored and the prime mover will always start when DC power is applied.

If you're talking about CV 29, it's set to 2, that should disable analog mode if I'm reading right.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

If you're talking about CV 29, it's set to 2, that should disable analog mode if I'm reading right.

If CV12=0 it should. I'm not understanding why it's fighting you this hard, my 2200 only took about 10 minutes to setup. I have rule 17 lighting, automatic forward and reverse signals with ringing of the bell for 5 seconds. Automatic stop signal, manual startup and shutdown of prime mover and a fully calibrated DDE. My little loco runs and sounds great! Something must be horribly amiss with your setup or the 2200 itself, but for the life of me I don't know what that could be. Too bad I'm on the other side of the country, I really would like to see it firsthand, not that it would make a big difference perhaps. Have you tried a CV8 reset to start over from the beginning?

It almost sounds as if the CV's are locked so it is ignoring all attempts to change anything, if you read all CV's do any of the values change back to what they were previously?

Hmm...  Hadn't thought about the CV's being locked, let me check that.

I changed a CV for sound level read them all back, and it stayed changed.  That appears they're not locked.  Also, CV30 is all zero, so the lock feature is disabled.

How do you reset this board to defaults?

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Hmm...  Hadn't thought about the CV's being locked, let me check that.

I changed a CV for sound level read them all back, and it stayed changed.  That appears they're not locked.  Also, CV30 is all zero, so the lock feature is disabled.

How do you reset this board to defaults?

Change CV8 = 8 and that will reset the board.

Ron

I reset it, then read back the CV's to make sure the interface matched up with the CV's, but I still haven't figured out how to stop it from starting up on power on, and it also doesn't remember that the lights were set at when shutdown.  I have to go back and manually set all those options.  Forget about stuff like Rule-17 lighting, never have gotten that to work.

So far, I'm less than impressed.  I realize I'm not a DCC person, but I'm the target audience for this product!

When changing the value of a CV are you using the windows at the top? Change the value and hit “write” then hit “ read” to verify the value changed. I have found changing the value next next to the CV number below does not get saved.

Pete

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I reset it, then read back the CV's to make sure the interface matched up with the CV's, but I still haven't figured out how to stop it from starting up on power on, and it also doesn't remember that the lights were set at when shutdown.  I have to go back and manually set all those options.  Forget about stuff like Rule-17 lighting, never have gotten that to work.

So far, I'm less than impressed.  I realize I'm not a DCC person, but I'm the target audience for this product!

I hope this video will help you solve your Auto start problems.

@Ron045 posted:

I hope this video will help you solve your Auto start problems.

It went from bad to worse. Now it refuses to allow me to change the prime mover! I can change other things, but not the prime mover!  Truthfully, autostart is the least of my problems, I want to get normal operation of the motor, lights, and sounds first.

@Norton posted:

When changing the value of a CV are you using the windows at the top? Change the value and hit “write” then hit “ read” to verify the value changed. I have found changing the value next next to the CV number below does not get saved.

Pete

Pete, you obviously have the IOS version, my display doesn't look like that.  I never see that display on the top, I get a separate pop-up window, and the CV clearly changes when I modify it.

I still don't understand the weird double toggle of the function buttons.  If I want to start or stop the sound, why should I have to hit the button twice?

BTW Ron, that did fix the auto-start.  I swear I tried that, obviously I didn't.

Its looking like the Android version still has some teething problems. Might be time to set it aside before you start pulling your hair out.

Pete

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I still don't understand the weird double toggle of the function buttons.  If I want to start or stop the sound, why should I have to hit the button twice?

BTW Ron, that did fix the auto-start.  I swear I tried that, obviously I didn't.

John,

Here is a video on the explanation of the Toggle option of the Function Buttons.  All of them are customizable to be either and ON/OFF or Momentary.  You WILL want to customize them to your liking.  Especially the sounds.

This video will help you with your Prime Mover Selection.

Maybe we should start a GRJ / Ron045 Video series.

If something truly isn't working as I have described, provide me with the Make / Model of your phone, the version of Android you are running and any potential screen shots or screen records.  If those are not available a detailed description of the steps you are taking and the outcomes (or lack thereof) you are encountering.  I can bring them up to the developer.

AWESOME Thread!  Where do you get the Android app... is it downloadable via code when you purchase??

@Ron045 posted:

Maybe we should start a GRJ / Ron045 Video series.

Thanks for that Ron, I figured there had to be a way to make that no be so dumb.

I got the Prime Mover working, don't know why it was ignoring my button pushes as I'd done it initially, then the same thing didn't work.  I think one of my resets finally got it's mind right.

The turning off the toggle "sort of" works.  The RPM- stays on a lot of the time, but sometimes it does go off immediately.  They clearly have some debugging to do yet.  However, it appears when it's on and toggles off, it does shutdown the sounds, so I think they're just leaving the button illumination on but properly handing the toggle function.  That probably explains a bit of my confusion about the toggles as I've seen oddities like that before.

Still haven't figured out how to get Rule-17 lighting working...

As for resetting and changing CV values.  It appears you have to "Scan All CVs" after doing CV changes in order to it to reflect in the app settings.  I changed volumes in the CVs, and when I went back to the app, they hadn't changed, but after restarting they did.

Instead of the rows of useless dots on the edge of the screen, it would sure be useful if they had some of the commonly used functions on buttons, even the ability to program what appeared would be really nice.  Toggling the function menu on and then having to pick individual lights on is a pain.

Finally, it escapes me why you have to manually turn on both the headlight and independently the backup light each time.  Hard to believe you can't interlock them so when the prime mover starts you get lights as well.

@Dennis-LaRock posted:

AWESOME Thread!  Where do you get the Android app... is it downloadable via code when you purchase??

Just type Blunami into Play Store and you'll find it.

That CV logbook I started when first working with DCC has saved me countless hours.

@BOB WALKER posted:

That CV logbook I started when first working with DCC has saved me countless hours.

That's really not helping me much.

Totally understandable. But once you have the app worked out and you have a number of installs with different CV settings, that logbook can be very useful.

Notes or a log book can be VERY helpful.  Sometimes a CV is a math formula of several numbers to get something to work. 

Granted the Blunami app has tried to help people get away from traditional DCC CVs by making it all menu based

Take my AEM7 with flashing strobe lights.  That's using BlueRail board and the Blunami app but the menu interface is not built so it's 100% CVs.  To be honest, I still don't know how I came up with the number for strobe lights, but I know that number works and works good.

If you ever have to reset your decoder or new SW upgrades change some setting you will be extremely happy to have that CV log book to quickly enter in all those numbers you saved.

I would imagine it might also come in handy if you wanted to replicate or duplicaye an engine.

@gunrunnerjohn I will address your latest concerns soonest.  I can only make so many videos a day and I'm working a project for another OGR forumite.

Ron

Just to see what would happen, I turned on F7 (Dimmer) and my rule 17 broke - the light stayed dim all the time. But as long as F7 is off it works with the settings I posted, when the loco starts to move the light goes bright. I will look into automating the headlight, I think there is a way to do it.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Thanks for that Ron, I figured there had to be a way to make that no be so dumb.

I got the Prime Mover working, don't know why it was ignoring my button pushes as I'd done it initially, then the same thing didn't work.  I think one of my resets finally got it's mind right.

The turning off the toggle "sort of" works.  The RPM- stays on a lot of the time, but sometimes it does go off immediately.  They clearly have some debugging to do yet.  However, it appears when it's on and toggles off, it does shutdown the sounds, so I think they're just leaving the button illumination on but properly handing the toggle function.  That probably explains a bit of my confusion about the toggles as I've seen oddities like that before.

Still haven't figured out how to get Rule-17 lighting working...

As for resetting and changing CV values.  It appears you have to "Scan All CVs" after doing CV changes in order to it to reflect in the app settings.  I changed volumes in the CVs, and when I went back to the app, they hadn't changed, but after restarting they did.

Instead of the rows of useless dots on the edge of the screen, it would sure be useful if they had some of the commonly used functions on buttons, even the ability to program what appeared would be really nice.  Toggling the function menu on and then having to pick individual lights on is a pain.

Finally, it escapes me why you have to manually turn on both the headlight and independently the backup light each time.  Hard to believe you can't interlock them so when the prime mover starts you get lights as well.

Ok... Going down the list of your next set of questions.

Toggle and RPM+ and RPM -

Rule 17

Setting and Saving CV values

Useless screen (Fill Empty Space)

Manual Headlights

Whew!  I'm going to bed.

Goodnight.

Thanks Ron, that really helps, I hope some of that helped some other Blunami/DCC newbies!

At least I'm not going nuts trying to get the lights to come on automatically, I gave up on that.

I had looked at remapping the functions, I guess that's the way to do the trick and keep all the useful stuff in the first menu.

I did get Rule-17 running, I had to change one more thing to get directional headlights so the headlight goes totally off when you're in reverse.

I discovered that my older Galaxy Note 4 isn't suitable for this app.  It runs, but crashes pretty regularly.  Of course, it has crashed a couple of times on my Galaxy S21 with Android 12 as well, so that might be better with a new release.

With all the talk about having CV notes, one thought springs to mind.  An obvious flaw in the design of these apps is the inability to simply save the whole configuration, that seems to be a basic feature that almost anyone would want to be able to do!

Computer use 101, have proper backups of your data!

Since I have a command station hooked up to a computer,  I use JMRI to save a backup of all my locomotive settings. It's what they do in the DCC world I think.

@Darrell posted:

Since I have a command station hooked up to a computer,  I use JMRI to save a backup of all my locomotive settings. It's what they do in the DCC world I think.

Makes sense if you are in that camp.  However, that's a huge void in the Blunami world where people will not have it connected to anything but their phone or tablet.  Unless I'm missing something, I don't see any way to save all the CV's to recreate the configuration if the configuration is compromised.

Gunrunner I don’t have an android phone but can’t you just do a save screenshot, saving the values displayed as a picture in your phone? I do that all the time with my iPhone.

@Trainmstr posted:

Gunrunner I don’t have an android phone but can’t you just do a save screenshot, saving the values displayed as a picture in your phone? I do that all the time with my iPhone.

Using the Blunami interface, I don't know which of the 400+ CVs that are modified.  That being the case, I'd have to take dozens of screen shots to cover all the CVs, that would be a real PITA!  I don't think that's a practical method.  Besides, it can't be that difficult to simply write all the CVs to a simple text file in the app and provide a provision to restore them by file name.

I suspect some of the CVs may be "indexed" like they are for N Scale and HO Soundtraxx decoders.

Indexed CVs are groups of three CVs that need to be changed to produce an effect.  The first two unlock it so you can program it, and the third makes the change.  JMRI makes this easier to accomplish.

John