Aristo Craft Train Engineer Revolution
Working Notes
revised 12-10-08

SUGGESTIONS / Questions:

• in the ADD/DEL TRACK menu item show if a locomotive is in the selected list - as it is now you can't tell which are active and which are not

• consider allowing the use of the number keys to select items from menus - it is tedious to move through a dozen or more items to get to the bottom of a list

• RESET MEMORY does not clear loco names and puts *'s in road names that have to be manually removed or overwritten

• roll over on menu (bottom to top / top to bottom) on some but not all

• text entry does not allow for quick movement from one letter to another - on a cell phone as soon as you move from one key to another it automatically moves to the next entry space.  On the transmitter one must wait for the cursor to time out and move before entering the next character.

• Are group IDs different for each transmitter shipped or are they all the same?  If the same we should warn folks about interference / contention with other units ---

• Are the #29608 cables included with the Revolution or sound card or are they obtained separately?

• What is STATION under RxType?  Accessories?  Switch controller? 

• when setting up a consist does the receiver store the BACK-BACK setting?

Tasks

1. (done) Review draft manual to familiarize myself with functions on transmitter
2. (done) Keep photographic notes on steps
3. Photograph screens on transmitter – might want to set up tripod / vice to hold transmitter / lights
4. (done) Link transmitter to receiver on bench – use bench power supply and a DC motor
5. (done) Test transmitter / receiver connections
6. (done) Substitute Lithium Ion battery for bench supply
7. (done) Add LEDs on bench test unit for front and back lights
8. (done) Add sound on bench – test
9. (done) Open diesel - document with photos
10. Install receiver, battery & sound in locomotive - document with photos
11. Outline Quick Start Guide & Main Manual
12. (done) Create text entry guide (Appendix A)

Quick Start Guide - outline:

Assumptions: 

• Plug & Play locomotive
• No sound to be installed
•  

I.        In the box (identify items & define terms used to describe them)
II.      Installing batteries (explain differences with rechargeables / alkalines)
III.    Overview of the transmitter (control unit)
IV.      Reference Appendix (X) for installing in locomotive

Observations / Questions:

• "0" for "all stop" does not work - STOP does work for the engine being used (fixed)
• # button followed by Stop All also works
• when Bind Address 11 was used as a test the receiver & transmitter would bind but "TEST LOCO" was not selectable from the main menu with the <<T and T>> keys - must use ADD / DELETE LOCO to have it show up
• Tried RESET MEMORY (note that you must hold for a few seconds on Yes/No)
• Still doesn't want to see anything above 9 (0-9 OK - 10+ not)
• The bind button on the receiver can be used in place of the one on the end of the 3 wire cable (seems that the cable is provided so that the bind button can be mounted on the loco where it can be pressed without opening the loco.)
• If you turn the transmitter off the receiver continues to operate
• The number in parenthesis next to speed shows speed as momentum speeds up or slows down loco - nice.
• The Function Mode allows for 8 things that can be activated from the keypad - sounds, etc - the current receiver only allows for 6 of these on the AUX wiring harness
• Does the recharger jack take a special plug?  Is the center terminal positive? - YES  What happens if someone has alkaline AA's in the transmitter and the recharger is used? - BAD  The manual does not mention NiMH rechargeable batteries, only NiCads, will it work with either? -YES  Will Aristo Craft sell a charger? - YES
• How is the sound card connected to the system? 
•         Specifically where is the power connected?  - TO CIRCUIT BOARD ON LOCO
•         Is there any standard on which sound (bell / whistle) goes to which auxiliary connection on the TE receiver?  NO BUT WE WILL SUGGEST ONE
•         Does the black wire on the aux cable from the TE receiver go to the common connection on the sound card (grey wire on J2)? - YES
•         The grey / red from J4 go to two of the other wires.
• Are we calling the hand held unit a controller or a transmitter? -YES
• What are we calling the main screen on the hand held unit?  "Main Operation" screen
• The order of letters / numbers that are accessed with the number keys seem to be somewhat random and are confusing to those who are used to a cell phone's consistent display order. - HOPE THIS CAN BE CHANGED
• While in MENU mode the number keys cannot be used to access menu items - can this be added?
• Similarly, could the letters for the TRACK/LOCO ASSIGN menu be accessed from the number keypad?
• There is a "Bug" in road number entry - it allows a space in a road number - for example "1 33" - should this be limited to only numbers and remove or disallow spaces?
• Are metric units selectable?  Couldn't find it in the menus - MPH BEING REMOVED - CONCERN IS IRRELEVANT!
• What does the QUICK RF BINDING do? - SAME AS OTHER   Is it redundant?  - YES BUT MAY BE QUICKER
• what does ALPHA SELECT under # menu do? -  SHOWS all LOCOS in alphabetical order
• might want to add some feedback on screen when 1-6 are pressed
• Smoke unit connects to the main power output from loco's circuit board - can run one or two smoke units but they can't be operated independently
• when setting an AUX button for smoke make sure it is changed from momentary to latching
• Text entry suggestion:  whenever a different BIND ADDRESS is selected reset the cursor position variable on the NAME entry - reason:  if you have the cursor in the 4th position, for example, while entering a loco name for BIND ADDRESS #02, the cursor will still be in the 4th position if you switch to BIND ADDRESS #12 or any other address.  This forces the user to manually move the cursor to the left before stopping.
• Text entry suggestion:  come up with a key operation that will completely clear a name from the input area.  For example, to erase PACIFIC12 press and HOLD any numeric key for 3 or more seconds to clear - or press STOP for 3 or more seconds.
• What does the 2 with up/down pointers in the bottom line of the Main Operation screen indicate?
• Can the transmitter show the voltage of the locomotive that is under control?  Perhaps it could alternate transmitter voltage and locomotive voltage.
• the DIR indicator shows square blocks when stopped - might be good to show one directional triangle so that folks know which direction the loco will go when they accelerate
• good that you can change direction while stopped but don't have a visual of that (see previous note)
• does the momentum graphic, the "mountain" at the top of the screen, ever change?  Doesn't seem to change with change in momentum value.
• Should "Speed Mode" be associated with each loco rather than a general item for all operation?
• The operating screen shows that the unit is using PWC - is there an option to use linear?

PHOTOS

The header installed at the bottom is for non-plug&play locomotives.  It is the same as the one used on the earlier train engineer

the small red button is used to bind the receiver and transmitter - a duplicate button that can be used for the same purpose is on the circuit board (lower right corner)

Here is a close-up of the edge of the receiver - the bind button is on the right, the external bind button plugs in next to it.  To the left is where the accessory (sound, etc) header plugs in.

The transmitter (or controller) is not much larger than a cell phone.

A close-up of the transmitter's screen

This screen shows the backlight and the message that is displayed when the transmitter successfully binds to a receiver

Here is the bench test setup.  Power is from a lithium ion battery.  The receiver is at right along with the bind button.  A large DC motor is at center and two LEDs to simulate the front and rear loco lights are in the lower left.

If you look carefully you will see a small triangle pointing left next to DIR in the center of the controller's display - that indicated that the motor is running backwards - note that the right hand LED is lit.

In this photo the motor is going forward (see the triangles to the right of DIR) and the other LED is lit.