...Once the project is downloaded, is it no longer available for editing and must be recreated from scratch?

No, it should be available in RailPro Assistant so you can download it again and again, until you delete it. I'd suggest giving the RailPro Assistant manual a look though.  The part dealing with custom accessory projects starts on page 39 but you should find your accessory project by clicking the Accessory Project button in the section of the RPA screen titled "Select here to load file from this computer to hand held controller".  You can then use the "Select Option..." buttons to edit, copy , delete etc.

I’m getting a message that my project name can’t be associated with a picture?

When your designing the project in RPA, the picture you type in must exist in RPA as well for it to show, so following my example a picture named Little Gulch Nth End would have to exist in RPA for it to show on the designing screen. This has no bearing on when the project is loaded into the accessory module, you'll have to upload the picture you want to the AM-1 and set the picture the same as you do for a LM.

I'm presuming that you've downloaded the Accessory product program to the AM-1?

- Tim

Yes, with additional information.

Output 1 and Output 2 are Motor 1
Output 3 and Output 4 are Motor 2
Output 5 through Output 8 are Output 5 through Output 8.

Look at the AM-1S or AM-2S manual under Wire LED's or Wire Light Bulbs to see how you should wire the solenoids. I don't think there's any reason you probably couldn't use the motor outputs as well as long as the solenoids aren't polarity sensitive.

Also, the max current the AM-1 is rated for isn't specified but the max current the AM-1S is rated for is only 400mA continuous combined across all outputs; just something to be aware of.

Another thought, if it doesn't quite work out because there's not enough grunt to power the solenoids directly:

• You could use the turnout program in the AM-1 to drive latching relays (push the button to turn on, push the button again to turn off) to drive the solenoids.
• You could drive normal relays from the project you write to drive the solenoids.
  

It's more money etc but it could be a last resort to provide enough grunt.

- Tim

Wow, I didn’t screwup after all. I have 3 AM-1’s on the HC and I was trying to access the wrong one. The HC assigns duplicate turnout numbers???

In the manual it shows you to name them so I'm not sure why they are numbered.

Anyway, This is the scenario. I do not believe that the AM-1 program that controls turnouts allows for the turnout buttons to be maintained instead of momentary and does not allow a forever activation time. At least that's what I get from reading the manual. If that's the case your options are:

Lobby Ring to allow a forever activation time for solenoids that can handle being energised all the time, which I suggest you do, and

Create a program for use in the meantime, which is probably going to be a very long time, possibly forever.

Because one can't simply share accessory programs and only you know your layout and where the turnouts are you'll have to make your own in RailPro Assistant. The below example should get you started on what you want. I'd suggest grouping the turnouts into area's for naming the project, and naming the AM-1's the same. Remember, this way you will not find the AM-1 under Turnouts on the HC anymore but they'll appear under Accessories.

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- Tim

Wow, I didn’t screwup after all. I have 3 AM-1’s on the HC and I was trying to access the wrong one. The HC assigns duplicate turnout numbers???

Ok, so energising the solenoid throws the points one way, how do the points return to the other position when you de-energise the solenoid? Return spring? Energising another solenoid to throw the points back?  Whether you have to keep the solenoid energised to keep the points thrown and how the points return the non thrown position will determine whether you can use the standard turnout program or have to write another program.

- Tim