Blunami app V 200
PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT COMPLETELY PRIOR TO TESTING.
CONTENTS:
1) Bug Report instructions
2) App new features and description
3) Possible Issues
4) Links to Open Beta
Thank you for participation in Open Beta for the 2024 Blunami App – Android edition. This testing is confidential and results from your experience should remain confidential pending public release. You must have an Android device updated to the latest version of Android supported by the device. The latest version of Android is 15. Earlier versions of Android can generate device specific issues (not app related). The basic steps are:
– Make sure you are enrolled in the Open Beta program and update your device to the latest Blunami version
– Read this document
– Test the app
– Submit bug reports when relevant using the link provided
– make sure to update your app to the latest version of Blunami anytime before you test
1) SUBMITTING BUG REPORTS
If your app crashes, we automatically received a time-stamped crash data-dump and Android device model. In your Bug Report please tell us the time the crash occurred and what model device you used (so we can match you the data-dump to the issue you describe). The crash report will be sent the next (date/time) your Android is connected to the internet. You must kill the app and restart it for the crash report to be sent. REPRODUCIBLE bugs are solvable.
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT A BUG REPORT, Please do the following:
1) Try to reproduce your issue in as few steps as possible after launching the app.
2) Determine if the problem can be reproduced when connected to one loco, or if the problem only occurs when connected to more than one loco.
3) Note the App version (3 dots in upper right – ABOUT) and Date/Time.
Bugs are harder to sleuth if they occur after many steps (or after 5-10 minutes of app use and screen interaction). Please try to reproduce your issue in as few steps as possible after launching the app, and document the steps in the Bug Report.
Here is a link to the Bug Report Form: https://forms.gle/c1iSvnY8kxNJDo79A
2) NEW APP FEATURES – Release Notes
Multi-Train
Consisting
Telemetry (voltage, loco speed, connection strength)
Stop All
CV Copy Utility
Multi-Train color themes
Multi-Train
Multi-Train screen is functionally similar to iOS method.
Each throttle now has it’s own function panel (blue FCN button on Multi-Train throttles). To close a function panel, press the same FCN button used to open it. You can move the function panel in Multi screen by touching the loco name at the top of the panel.
First visit to Multi-Train by any loco should trigger auto-CV-scan. Scans for multiple locos are simultaneous.
Multi-Train Color themes assign a different background color to each loco, to help user distinguish locos in a glance (without having to read loco name). Each loco is automatically assigned a color which carries through between sessions and multiple devices. This feature can be disabled in General Settings.
Stop-All button in upper right Nav bar of the Multi-Train screen. From General Settings you can choose between an E-Stop command or Speed=0. Setting is per-loco. Stop-All is presently not available in Single view.
Speed Display (above throttle) displays telemetry of loco’s actual speed (as reported by decoder). Target speed is in a smaller font to the right. Voltage is displayed on left.
Connection strength (RSSI) is displayed in the bottom center of the throttle (-dBm). The value is negative. On average: -100 is extremely weak and unconnectable. -95 is barely connectable. -90 is a connectable range. -85 is a solid connection.
RSSI can help you identify signal strength issues related to installation, range, or areas of your space that may negatively affect connection strength.
Consisting
Consisting is functionally similar to iOS method. Consisting is only controlled from Multi-Train screen.
Use direction button to pre-select loco “facing direction” (facing forward/backward). Putting any loco in Reverse pre-selects “facing backward” for that loco when added to a consist.
Consist Functions (manage how functions are divvied out between Lead, Mid and Rear locos in consist)
Assigns which loco receives functions (lead/mid/rear) when functions are triggered from the function panel of the Lead loco in consist. (You may optionally trigger any function from the function panel of any trailing loco in a consist).
Consist Function setting is “per loco”. That is, if you enter the Consist Functions settings screen for loco “GP90-1392”, you are managing the consist functions for whenever GP90-1392 is the Lead loco.
If you do NOT want the app to manage your consist lighting, uncheck the box “App managed consist lighting” in Consist Functions page.
Copy CV’s to Other Loco
This utility allows you to connect to two locos, and copy the CVs from LocoA to LocoB. After connected to any number of locos, enter “CV Settings>Copy CVs to Other Loco” on LocoA. In the dialog box select the Loco you want to copy CVs to. Press “Copy All” or Cancel. This feature does not alter the LocoAddress or CV29 on the recipient loco.
CV Copy Utility
This utility allows you to store/save one “favorite” bank of CV settings in app memory, and to copy those settings to any loco you connect to in the future. This is useful if you have a favorite setting you want to share with a friend, or you do frequent installs.
3) POSSIBLE ISSUES
This update involved changes to the database (because of the addition of the CV Copy Utility).
If you have custom names in the Function Panel you will need to rename them. You will not need to do this with all app updates (only if the database gets updated – which will be very infrequently).
If you experience issues with the app, you may need to uninstall the app and delete it fresh on your device
4) LINKS TO JOIN OPEN BETA
Once your Google Play account is enrolled in Open Beta, update your device to the latest version of Blunami (which will be the pre-release non-public version of the app). If you have previously enrolled in Blunami Open Beta there is no need to join again.
Join Open Beta from an Android device:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bluerailtrains.blunami
Join Open Beta from the web:
https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.bluerailtrains.blunami
Bug Report Form:
https://forms.gle/c1iSvnY8kxNJDo79A
BlueRail’s first plugin board is now in manufacturing and we will begin taking orders in April. This first board has been nicknamed the Blue Horse. It measures 28mm x 58.6mm, features a 9-pin JST connection port, and can be used to drive any train with a DC can motor (not exceeding 2 amps*). Boards will be available on the BlueRail site for $75 plus tax and shipping within the US/Canada (see non-US and retailer sales info below). The boards can be easily plugged into any DCC-ready train, or wired directly to many non-DCC-ready locomotives. These boards are of particular interest to battery operated users (as they can run from either track or battery power). You will have control over speed, direction and up to 4 lights or accessories. The boards also contain an expansion port for future add-ons (sound). BlueRail boards may alternately be used to control up to 4 lights or accessories on your layout. Control your board using the configurable BlueRail app (see below regarding iOS/Android app) or the Bachmann E-Z App™. Please use the information below to decide if this first board is suitable for your needs. We will release subsequent boards in alternate dimensions and suitable for other gauges in the future.
* Overload Protection: The BlueRail board contains circuitry to protect itself in the event of a current draw overload. Please refer to the graph to the left. The red line indicates the point at which the BlueRail board shuts itself off. The board will tolerate an 8 amp draw for .4 sec (before shutting itself off). It will tolerate a 4 amp draw for 1 second, a 2 amp draw for 15 sec (continuous), a 1.25 amp draw for 1 min (continuous) and a 1.2 amp draw continuously. A locomotive with a 2 amp stall current (green line) will typically draw 2 amps of current for the first few seconds it starts to roll, before stabilizing at a much lower current draw. Pulling heavy loads up steep long hills and lots of lighting will increase current draw. Please consider these values when deciding if this board is appropriate for your locomotive and layout.
