NS SD40-2 High Nose - Question About Dynamic Brakes

[FHRob]

I noticed the left half, i.e. dynamic brake side, of the ammeter is "blacked-out." Does anybody know why?

I checked the engine simulation bin file, and the dynamic brakes parameter is there, probably incorrect at 267 maximum force and 700 maximum current.

Thanks,

Rob

[arizonachris]

Is this in the F4 HUD, or on an instrument face in the cab view? And are you using Expert or Simple controls?

[FHRob]

Is this in the F4 HUD, or on an instrument face in the cab view? And are you using Expert or Simple controls?

The left side of the ammeter in cab view is blacked out, poorly if you ask me.

I attached a screenshot. Let me know what you think.

[buzz456]

No screen shot

[FHRob]

No screen shot

Yes, sorry about that.

Try this again.

Rob

[Kali]

It's not blacked out, it's simply a dial ( and animation ) from a non-dyna model. Odd given I think all the older RSC ones had dynamics...

Can't do anything about it unless you make a new needle anim. I guess you could hack the RSC one& then repaint the dial texture, if you can work out quaternion transformations...

[FHRob]

It's not blacked out, it's simply a dial ( and animation ) from a non-dyna model. Odd given I think all the older RSC ones had dynamics...

Can't do anything about it unless you make a new needle anim. I guess you could hack the RSC one& then repaint the dial texture, if you can work out quaternion transformations...

The early SD40 models had the left side of the dial blacked-out, but it was done neatly.

This looks like it was done with a black marker, and done without thought of how it would look.

In any case, if the locomotive has dynamic brakes, why not include a cab with a working ammeter?

[arizonachris]

Like Kali said, it's not blacked out. You can tell, the printing on the lower left and how "amps" is left of the needle's center pivot. Glass could be dirty, or maybe moisture got in behind the glass. It's a cheap dial face as well, not like the white-on-green dial faces of the other two gauges.

If I may....... if this little, slight, imperfection peeves you this much, I suggest you quit this sim now. The more "stuff" you acquire, the more little niggling bits you will find, in addition to the very bad/ large/ glaring faults/ errors. At some point the modeller has to decide between making at least a small profit from the many hours of work, and charging a decent price so this creation will sell; and absolute perfection which will take years to finish and never get even a small return on the selling price.

[FHRob]

If I may....... if this little, slight, imperfection peeves you this much, I suggest you quit this sim now. The more "stuff" you acquire, the more little niggling bits you will find, in addition to the very bad/ large/ glaring faults/ errors. At some point the modeller has to decide between making at least a small profit from the many hours of work, and charging a decent price so this creation will sell; and absolute perfection which will take years to finish and never get even a small return on the selling price.

Hi Chris:

I hear what you're saying regarding making a profit, and I have no problem there.

However, having the wrong gauge isn't a "slight imperfection" imho. The gauges and physics are part of the simulation, and shouldn't be ignored. If having an ammeter that includes the dynamic brake side of the gauge is going to make the project unprofitable, then maybe the modeler shouldn't sell this product.

BTW, I give TS2014 two thumbs up for eye candy. There's another simulator whose name I won't mention, where the physics are excellent, but the graphics are MSTS at best.

I'm just puzzled by the lack of attention to physics and "real-world" details, especially when simmers on this and other boards have worked out those details.

Rob

[buzz456]

This has been covered ad nauseam in the past on this forum. What was concluded by most is that the world is not a perfect place and modifications are always appreciated. Much more than complaints.

[FHRob]

This has been covered ad nauseam in the past on this forum. What was concluded by most is that the world is not a perfect place and modifications are always appreciated. Much more than complaints.

OK, then we agree to disagree. If asking for a working ammeter on a locomotive with dynamic brakes is asking for "perfection" then I'm guilty.

I'd be glad to modify the cab view if such a modification existed, and in fact have done many modifications on TS content. I'm just not convinced we the $ paying customers should have to do this.

Considering I'm new here, I think you're being too harsh. I'm questioning, not complaining.

Rob

[arizonachris]

If asking for a working ammeter on a locomotive with dynamic brakes is asking for "perfection" then I'm guilty.

........... I'm just not convinced we the $ paying customers should have to do this.

........................... I'm questioning, not complaining.

Rob

I will add that I agree with you on all the above. I guess after over four years I've just gotten used to most of the little "things" that aren't quite right. And BIG things. RSC/ DTG sometimes sorts things out; third party "minds" also come up with fixes and mods. Not only do I think we, the paying customers, should NOT have to do this, but I sure as heck can't come up with fixes like some of the others here have. Some I can't even install right. Add in the fact that a "file verify" will wipe out any changes made to default TS files and the factor increases to the level.

As Professor Buzz said, this has all been covered over and over, so I'll end with a belated which I should have said in my first reply.

And a question: does the F4 HUD have all the correct levers and gauges? (may have to use Expert controls to see them)

[FHRob]

[/quote]And a question: does the F4 HUD have all the correct levers and gauges? (may have to use Expert controls to see them)[/quote]

Hi Chris:
Thanks for the welcome. Without the people who know how to make the program modifications, I'd have given up this and all the other train sims years ago. So here's a big shout-out to those who not only know about trains, but know even more about computer programming.

As for your question, the F4 HUD has all the correct levers and gauges, as I have it set to expert controls. In fact, the dynamics work, which is the important thing regardless of amp readings.

Rob