16
Each SwitchPilot 3 can be assigned such a 4-series group: this is
the so-called accessory address.
The accessory address is stored internally in CV 1 and CV 9. The
calculation of the turnout numbers from the values saved in the
two CVs is regulated in the RCN-213 standard.
The table in chapter 16 lists turnout numbers and corresponding
accessory addresses. Only the first 256 turnouts are available
when operating with Motorola® central units.
It is not possible to assign turnout numbers outside the group-of-4
limits to a SwitchPilot 3. For example. it would not be possible to
assign turnout numbers 4, 5, 6 and 7, as these go beyond the limit
of the accessory address groups. Please keep this in mind when
assigning turnout numbers.
Due to a weakness in the DCC standard prior to the creation of
the RCN-213, some command stations (especially ROCO® Multi-
maus or Z21) calculate the turnout numbers differently. In this case
please take note of chapter 6.3.
Configuration with OLED
6. Configuration with OLED
The programming of accessory decoders was usually very cum-
bersome in the past. CV programming with the help of the hand-
held throttle often failed due to the missing programming modes
(e.g.: only very few command stations and/or throttles respectively
central units support „POM for accessory decoders”) or forgotten
addresses of decoders installed on the layout. Even assigning the
decoder address presented many model railway enthusiasts with
major obstacles. Reading the currently assigned decoder address is
also quite cumbersome and causes a lot of displeasure.
To avoid such problems, the SwitchPilot 3 is the first accessory
decoder on the market working with an innovative operating con-
cept. It consists of an illuminated multi-line OLED display and a
3-button input unit. This allows programming all (!) settings of
the SwitchPilot 3 in plain text directly on the decoder, without the
need of external programming devices or cumbersome CV pro-
gramming. In addition, the display shows the currently assigned
turnout numbers at any time and can even accurately display the
supply voltage (respectively track voltage). A screen saver prevents
the OLED display from burning in.
6.1. Relationship between accessory addresses and turnout
numbers
For addressing the outputs of the SwitchPilot 3 decoder with the
command station, so-called turnout numbers must be assigned to
them. The number of turnout numbers is limited and depends on
the digital system:
Motorola®:
Turnout numbers 0001 bis 0256
DCC:
Turnout numbers 0001 bis 2048
(ROCO command stations 0001 to 2040).
The turnout numbers are arranged into four groups. The first
group comprises turnout numbers 1,2,3,4, the second group the
turnout numbers 5,6,7,8, the third group the turnout numbers
9,10,11,12, and so forth.
