Bc2000 (for the BCF2000 & BCR2000)

--- In bc2000@yahoogroups.com, Alex <brufordrules@...> wrote:
> Sorry if the answer is too obvious but when I set the encoder's LEDs to
> 'Bar', only the 8 firsts encoders are affected. Is it normal?

Yes:

The BCR2000 does allow you to PROGRAM the "fancy" LED settings (Bar, Spread etc.) for ANY encoder, but these fancy settings only WORK for the 8 push encoders, not for the 24 "simple" encoders.

So this is why BC Manager's encoder dialog box says "Warning: this setting only works for push encoders" if you define a fancy setting for a simple encoder.

If I remember correctly, someone in this forum once wrote that this limitation was built into the BCR2000 because the LEDs' power consumption would be too big if they could all be lit simultaneously.

Mark.

Worst case - all LEDs on.

32 encoders  x 15 LEDs x 10mA (my guess, it could be higher)

= 4800 mA or 4.8Amps at 5 volts that's 24 watts and that's just for the LEDs

Big wall warts are lucky to put out 1 amp although some of the new switch mode ones are about 2 amps max.

Big power requirements mean a lot more money.

The BCR uses 15watts. 

Royce

--- In bc2000@yahoogroups.com, "Mark v.d. Berg" <markwinvdb@...> wrote:

>
> --- In bc2000@yahoogroups.com, Alex <brufordrules@> wrote:
> > Sorry if the answer is too obvious but when I set the encoder's LEDs to
> > 'Bar', only the 8 firsts encoders are affected. Is it normal?
> 
> Yes:
> 
> The BCR2000 does allow you to PROGRAM the "fancy" LED settings (Bar, Spread etc.) for ANY encoder, but these fancy settings only WORK for the 8 push encoders, not for the 24 "simple" encoders.
> 
> So this is why BC Manager's encoder dialog box says "Warning: this setting only works for push encoders" if you define a fancy setting for a simple encoder.
> 
> If I remember correctly, someone in this forum once wrote that this limitation was built into the BCR2000 because the LEDs' power consumption would be too big if they could all be lit simultaneously.
> 
> Mark.
>

--- In bc2000@yahoogroups.com, Alex <brufordrules@...> wrote:
> I didn't see the warning note.

Very understandable - it's easy to miss.

I've now tried to make these cases a bit clearer in the encoder list window: the "LEDs" column now says "INVALID Bar" etc.
So the next version of BC Manager will include this feature, although I have no idea when I'll release the next version. It seems a bit over-the-top to release a new version just for this single feature, so I'll wait until a few other things have been improved.

Mark.

--- In bc2000@yahoogroups.com, Alex <brufordrules@...> wrote:
> Thanks Mark but it was my fault for not reading the advice about it. I am
> blind as a bat.

Well, at least your question made me realize that there was a kind of gap in BC Manager's messaging:
In the encoder dialog box you can validly set a PUSH encoder's LEDs to "Bar", then (in the encoder list window) you can copy/paste that push encoder's settings to a "flat" encoder, where "Bar" is no longer functional - but BC Manager wouldn't inform you - but the next version will.
So that's all thanks to your bat-blindness...

Best wishes,
   Mark.