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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: DCC controlling RP
« Last post by ON28 on October 08, 2026, 04:52:28 PM »Advanced.
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: mapping the new Rapido E8A functions
« Last post by cws on October 02, 2026, 02:19:55 PM »I did get it figured out... finally got a chance to run it last night on the club layout.
The initial configuration was setup to support F0, the headlight, which is mounted below the Gyralight on the E8/9 and I now have control of the Gyralight.
The number boards and class lights were assigned to the same button and set to flash. I assigned them to their own buttons.
I was also able to assign the ground lights and I updated the sound file to the EMD 567 ULT.
haven't been able to get the cab light to come on though.
satisfied for the moment.
Carl
The initial configuration was setup to support F0, the headlight, which is mounted below the Gyralight on the E8/9 and I now have control of the Gyralight.
The number boards and class lights were assigned to the same button and set to flash. I assigned them to their own buttons.
I was also able to assign the ground lights and I updated the sound file to the EMD 567 ULT.
haven't been able to get the cab light to come on though.
satisfied for the moment.
Carl
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: RailPro and Decoder Buddy
« Last post by sieggs1 on September 30, 2026, 09:06:00 PM »Hey Ken,
I recommend watching the following videos on YouTube from Larry Puckett. His design is far superior than my experience with RailPro's own PBM-2 and much cheaper to build. This is what I use.
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All parts are available on Amazon and the cost per unit to build is less than $10.
The two wires connect to the pads on the Decoder Buddy specifically for the keep-alive.
I put these on ALL my locos, especially my SW1500s. My locos NEVER stall, even on my unpowered frogs and my double crossover.
I use 5x 3.0V, 2F capacitors to get to 15V total. He uses only 4 capacitors so I don't think that would be enough for HO scale.
Rob
I recommend watching the following videos on YouTube from Larry Puckett. His design is far superior than my experience with RailPro's own PBM-2 and much cheaper to build. This is what I use.
[/url]
[/url]
All parts are available on Amazon and the cost per unit to build is less than $10.
The two wires connect to the pads on the Decoder Buddy specifically for the keep-alive.
I put these on ALL my locos, especially my SW1500s. My locos NEVER stall, even on my unpowered frogs and my double crossover.
I use 5x 3.0V, 2F capacitors to get to 15V total. He uses only 4 capacitors so I don't think that would be enough for HO scale.
Rob
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: RailPro and Decoder Buddy
« Last post by faithie999 on September 29, 2026, 07:01:14 PM »Hey all,
I use the Decoder Buddy with RailPro LM-3S-21. Yes, you can use a Keep-Alive with the pins on the Decoder Buddy. RailPro's own works but I have also been making my own keep-alives for much cheaper and they last longer.
Rob S.
Rob--can you post details on your DIY keep-alives? i went down the DIY road some time ago and wasn't happy with my results.
thanks
Ken
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: DCC controlling RP
« Last post by gregeusa on September 25, 2026, 01:33:47 PM »Did you use advanced or old style consisting - makes a difference
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: DCC controlling RP
« Last post by ON28 on September 23, 2026, 10:00:38 PM »Catching up here, I tested and could only consist 1 RailPro loco per DCC consist (with no limit on the number of DCC locos in the consist). Trying to add more than 1 RP loco resulted in the additional engines not responding.
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: mapping the new Rapido E8A functions
« Last post by Smoke on September 09, 2026, 08:40:13 AM »If you figure it out from the manual and get things working, no need to post a picture. If you're still having trouble, go ahead and post a picture and we'll see if we can help figure it out from there. If you can't figure it out, most likely somebody else will find the information useful. 
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: mapping the new Rapido E8A functions
« Last post by cws on September 06, 2026, 02:49:01 PM »Hi Andrew!
it seems I may have overlooked some important information like the RailPro Assistant Software User Manual!
I'm digging in and will let you know if I can make progress on my problem.
do you still want a picture?
thanks!
Carl
it seems I may have overlooked some important information like the RailPro Assistant Software User Manual!
I'm digging in and will let you know if I can make progress on my problem.
do you still want a picture?
thanks!
Carl
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: mapping the new Rapido E8A functions
« Last post by Smoke on September 03, 2026, 11:30:08 AM »Unfortunately, Rapido has started using ESU designed motherboards which limits lighting functions that can be used by other decoders. I have a workaround that SHOULD fix this for the LM-3@-21, but I haven't tested it yet so won't post it here as it may damage components if not done properly. This shouldn't change the front lights though, as the front and rear lights should be accessible from any decoder/module. Did you set the front light button to "Output 1 Front Light"?
I am getting my Rapido CF-7 today actually (With ESU so I can do some cross referencing), so I may do some testing and let you know how my workaround actually functions. It will involve some surgery, but nothing super complicated.
ETA: The E8 doesn't have the factory capacitors, so I think it might work 100% with a LM-3S-21. Can you post a picture of the internals of the locomotive showing the motherboard? I have an E8A from an earlier run and can do some comparisons to see if they are the same.
I am getting my Rapido CF-7 today actually (With ESU so I can do some cross referencing), so I may do some testing and let you know how my workaround actually functions. It will involve some surgery, but nothing super complicated.
ETA: The E8 doesn't have the factory capacitors, so I think it might work 100% with a LM-3S-21. Can you post a picture of the internals of the locomotive showing the motherboard? I have an E8A from an earlier run and can do some comparisons to see if they are the same.
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Finished RailPro Installation Examples / Re: Railpro Installation Database
« Last post by Shadowbruf on August 30, 2026, 06:35:37 PM »Thank you for your comments and insights