Functions: Bowser second run C-636

[edwardsutorik]

I finally got my second run Bowser C-636 out (BN patched SP&S) and put it on the track.

A couple of interesting things:

The headlights come on and are directional, as is typical. In addition, the numberboard lights come on (front only) and are NOT directional. And the timing of the illumination is slightly different. I think I'd like to separate out the numberboards to a different function, so I can have them lit during the day. Any thoughts on that? I can surely do without the coupler clank.



F5 turns on and cycles the front class lights. Very nice. But I can't find what turns on and off the beacon. I've run up to F12, and none of them do it.

I am wondering if this is happening for everyone else, or whether there's something disconnected inside. The instructions from Bowser mention that F5 is supposed to do the beacon, and F6 the ditchlights (if equipped). So there's two lighting functions available for two sets of lights. But one doesn't work.





Ed

[Mark R.]

The instructions from Bowser must be dated from an earlier run as you already mentioned F5 controls the class lights, when the manual says F5 controls the beacon. If the instructions don't indicate as such, ESU decoders support up to 28 functions. Might want to check / test functions higher than F12.

Mark.

[edwardsutorik]

It seems pretty weird to assign the beacon to a function higher than 12. But maybe...

I thought I'd ask about others' experience before I spent much more time on it. It seems to me that the beacon should be on F6, which isn't doing anything at the moment.


Ed

[nsc39d8]

I looked at the ESU website for the C636 sound file and the functions listed are as you describe. I could not find a sound file for the 636 under the manufacturers files. It would be interesting to know the sound file number Bowser used to compare to the ESU download. From what I gather either there are not enough slots to separate the number boards and I would wonder if the beacon is lighted.
The ESU file and the Bowser info have the same functions as you listed. I would try contacting Bowser and/or Matt Herman about an updated function listing. Even asking the ESU group on Groups.io is worth a shot.

[edwardsutorik]

All good points.

However. I'd like to hear from someone else who bought from the second run. Does theirs match mine, or not?

It's possible no one here bought one. It's occurred to me that I can ask the same question on the SP&S list and more likely find someone who has one.

Thanks, Mark and James, for your good suggestions, which I may well explore later.


Ed

[edwardsutorik]

Got an answer right quick from the SP&S boys. F6 does run the beacon. When I open it up, I'll check the board connections.

Ed

[Gino Damen]

Hi,

Another reason to treat yourself with a Lokprogrammer. One quick read and all the functions are visible. If you first open de C-636 ESU projectfile you can load the settings from the engine into that file. That will replace the factory settings with those Bowser uses.

Why would you do this? Because the project file contains more text and better descriptions with the various functions.

The only risk is that the sound mappings are a bit of. This won't be a problem as long as you don't upload also the sounds also.