SAPPHIRE R8245 Auto Control Cycle feature.. Description

Introduction..

The Sapphire decoder has a unique function which allows locos to be
controlled by a preprogrammed independent automatic control cycle. This is ACC.
ACC allows for a cycle of  EVENTs (EVENT Cycle) to be
automatically executed by the decoder without any manual control input from the
user via the DCC controller. The EVENT Cycle consists of up to 4 different loco
running states preceded by an optional delay. e.g. You can use ACC to carry out
many combinations of automatic control from basic operations like automatically
starting a loco running at a preset speed after a set time delay, Or, more
complex operations can be set up e.g. run/stop/reverse/stop with predetermined
durations, speed and direction for each event. The following information
describes how to implement ACC running.

Setting up ACC..

The first table below describes the CVs used in setting up ACC. The
second table below illustrates an example of the CV setup for a 4 EVENT ACC.

Timeline

START

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Time Delay Until..

Event #1

EVENT #1

EVENT #1 Duration

EVENT #2

EVENT #2 Duration

EVENT #3

EVENT #3 Duration

EVENT #4

EVENT #4 Duration

CVs Used/Note

121 = Hours

122 = Mins

123 = Secs

124 = Speed

(add 128 for reverse direction)

125 = Hours

126 = Mins

127 = Secs

128 = Speed

(add 128 for reverse direction)

129 = Hours

130 = Min

131 = Secs

132 = Speed

(add 128 for reverse direction)

133 = Hours

134 = Mins

135 = Secs

136 = Speed

(add 128 for reverse direction)

137 = Hours

138 = Mins

139 = Secs

Auto Control Cycle.. Example

Timeline

START

EVENT DESCRIPTION

(A)

Start Delay is
5 seconds

(B)

Forward speed =
80,

for 10 Seconds

(C)

Stop for 10
Seconds

(D)

Reverse Speed =
80

for 10 Seconds

(E)

Stop for 15
Seconds

Actual Time/Speed  CV Value

(A)

121 = 0

122 = 0

123 = 5

124= 80

125 = 0

126 = 0

127 = 10

128 = 0

129 = 0

130 = 0

131 = 10

132 = 208 ***

(*** 128+80)

133 = 0

134 = 0

135 = 10

136 = 0

137 = 0

138 = 0

139 = 15

Description of example Auto Control Cycle described
in detail in the table above …….

The Auto Control Cycle (ACC) set up
above is controlled by the status of CV140.. (see below for full details of CV140.)

In this case all EVENTS are turned on
and set to repeat.. i.e. CV140 is set to value
“12”.

With the loco on the main track it is
possible to programme CVs in “OPERATE” mode thus, if CV140 is set
to “on” the loco will...

(A) wait 5 seconds and then (B) start in a forward direction at
speed 80, the loco will continue to do this for 10 seconds.

(C) The loco will
then stop for 10 seconds.  After
the stop time has expired the loco will (D) run
in a reverse direction at speed 80 for 10 seconds.

(E) The loco will
then stop. The loco will remain stationary for 15 seconds...

Since CV140 is set to repeat the ACC,
EVENT1 will start (B) i.e. skipping the initial delay time (A)

CV140..  Controlling how the ACC EVENT CYCLE is
implemented.

The ACC EVENT CYCLE can be controlled very simply with the use of
CV140. By turning the series of programmed EVENTS ON,
or OFF many combinations of automatic loco actions can be implemented. See
the following table for more information.

Decimal Value

Turn OFF ACC
Events… i.e. normal manual control

0

SINGLE EVENT Cycle (Run Once)

EVENT 1 Only -  Run Once

1

EVENT 1 then EVENT 2 - Run Once

2

EVENTs 1 then 2, then 3 – Run Once

3

EVENTs 1, then 2, then 3, then 4 – Run
Once

4

REPEATING EVENT cycle ****

**** When “Repeating EVENTS”
is set the EVENT cycle will
repeat from the start of the first EVENT enabled in the cycle. i.e. the delay time set in CVs 121,122,123 is only
executed when the ACC EVENT Cycle
is turned on for the first time.

EVENT 1 then EVENT 2 - Repeat

10

EVENTs 1 then 2, then 3 – Repeat

11

EVENTs 1, then 2, then 3, then 4 – Repeat

12

When planning an ACC Cycle it is a good idea to use a table to plan out
the CV configuration..

You can use the empty “planning”
table below to help plan and record your own ACC..

Setting Speed and Direction..

When specifying Speed and Direction only one
CV is used for both pieces of information. So, all speed values below 127 run
forwards and speed values above 129 run in reverse.. e.g. Forwards at speed 80 in EVENT 1  would be the value 80 in CV124…
Reverse at speed 80 would be the value 128+80 = 208.

Stationary Locos..

In e.g. EVENT 1 if the loco is to remain
stationary then the CV value 0 or 128 may be programmed in to CV128. However,
if the loco has lights and F0 is active.... Speed Value 0 will turn on the
lights in “forward” configuration while the loco is stationary. A
Speed value of 128 will turn on the lights in a “reverse” direction
while the loco is stationary.

ACC Programming tip!!!

The SAPPHIRE supports RailCom, therefore you
can programme and readback CVs while the loco is on the main track, provided
your controller supports RailCom. It is very convenient/easy to adjust the ACC
setup while the loco is on the main track; rather than having to take the loco
off the main and place it on the programming track every time you wish to make
a change to the ACC setup.

Please note.. While it is usually OK to readback and programme CVs on the main track
while the loco is actually moving. For reliable programming and readback it may
be advisable to halt the locos ACC operation by setting CV140 to “0”.
Programming and readback on the main track require the loco/track to be in
optimal electrical condition.

ACC planning Table..

START DELAY

Duration

Value

CV#

Hours =

121

Minutes =

122

Seconds =

123

EVENT 1

Value

CV#

Direction =

124

Speed=

Hours =

125

Minutes =

126

Seconds =

127

EVENT 2

Value

CV#

Direction =

128

Speed=

Hours =

129

Minutes =

130

Seconds =

131

ACC Implementation

Tick

box

Value

SINGLE EVENT
Cycle (Run Once)

EVENT 1 Only -  Run Once

1

EVENT 1 then EVENT 2 - Run Once

2

EVENTs 1 then 2, then 3 – Run Once

3

EVENTs: 1, then 2, then 3, then 4 – Run Once

4

REPEATING
****

EVENT 1 then EVENT 2 - Repeat

10

EVENTs 1 then 2, then 3 – Repeat

11

EVENTs 1, then 2, then 3, then 4 – Repeat

12

EVENT 3

Value

CV#

Direction =

132

Speed=

Hours =

133

Minutes =

134

Seconds =

135

EVENT 4

Value

CV#

Direction =

136

Speed=

Hours =

137

Minutes =

138

Seconds =

139