Operating the POPOFF VALVE on my BIGBOY using the BASE3 / CAB3 App

For the Nth time (you and others expecting CAB3 manual to apply to every engine)

Fred- trying to be a friend here but this is on you buddy- the Engine MANUAL is the one you need to read. This is an ENGINE specific feature. Since lionel has made countless different Bigboys that may or may not have this feature.

Always start a technical question with the product number- what is the box product number on your engine??

CAB3 basically replicates CAB2- so that is why you are looking for what button to press on a CAB2- and that is in the engine specific manual for that specific engine.

As an example on the 2023 Cataloged versions https://www.lionelsupport.com/...%20Big%20Boy_web.pdf

You will only get AUX3 button function if the ID is set to Legacy mode within the CAB3 app (would be the same way on CAB2- defaults to CAB mode for all IDs  until set).

Again, just like CAB2, when setting up an engine ID in the database- you have a control type choice- CAB1, TMCC, Legacy, R100

AUX 3 button in the CAB3 interface is only active (not greyed out) if the engine control type for that ID is also LEGACY.

CAB3 instructions on setting types with a manual add of a Legacy engine https://control.lionel.com/docs/eng-selection/

Again, if control type for that ID is not set to Legacy mode, AUX3 button is greyed out and inactive in TMCC or CAB1 mode (which is default for an ID unless you change it).

Let me further explain- because there is valid reason to why I'm harping on the engine specific manual.

The feature you want to activate may be a specific sequence or button that could be different depending on which series of the engine you have- hence needing to specifically read that version of the manual.

As an example Dynamo effect- depending on the engine and situation- might be controlled by AUX2 or AUX3

https://ogrforum.com/topic/lionel-dynamo-effect

Again, in a nutshell-

#1 Read the engine specific manual for the engine you are wanting to activate a feature on- make note of what CAB2 button function would trigger it. If you don't have a paper copy of the manual- https://www.lionelsupport.com/

#2 CAB3 as an app is largely meant to replicate the feel and function of the original CAB2 remote for Legacy. Hence why you need to read the specific product manual for what you want to control- understand what CAB2 buttons or sequences are needed- and then duplicate that in CAB3 app.

#3 Both the CAB3 and CAB2 being capable of Legacy command format- the database of IDs starts out as the most compatible mode CAB1 style TMCC commands with numeric icons only. So it's not just programming an engine ID- you need to learn to set the command format mode- CAB1, TMCC, Legacy- often in order to get the menu types and icons needed for advanced legacy functions. Again, by default- an ID slot in the database defaults to the most compatible- but also least feature mode (CAB1 style) to be compatible. If you want legacy features- you have to tell the systems that ID is Legacy to show the additional icons and features. Conversely- if you have an ID already set at Legacy- and try to even set the ID of a TMCC only capable engine to that same 2 digit ID- that will fail because you are sending Legacy formatted commands. So wrapping your head around setting this type of controls per ID is a big part of learning to use these systems effectively.

@Vernon Barry posted:

For the Nth time (you and others expecting CAB3 manual to apply to every engine)

Fred- trying to be a friend here but this is on you buddy- the Engine MANUAL is the one you need to read. This is an ENGINE specific feature. Since lionel has made countless different Bigboys that may or may not have this feature.

Always start a technical question with the product number- what is the box product number on your engine??

CAB3 basically replicates CAB2- so that is why you are looking for what button to press on a CAB2- and that is in the engine specific manual for that specific engine.

Hey Vernon,

I did read the Manual for the BIGBOY!   I ran it over my Sensor Track and it automaticaly set it up as LEGACY.  Dont know how I missed that AUX3 Button on the CAB3 App, But I did!!  Answered all my Questions.  Thanks for the HELP and the Reminder!!!

Sincerely,

Fred (Hope I'm still your Buddy)