KiwiB Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 Good AfternoonI'm very new to this hobby and I believe I've jusy done a very ametuer thing. I purchased a Select Walkabout. Not knowing there is such a thing; thinking I was purchasing a Select Controller. Hmmm!However am I correct in understanding, if I invest in the correct power supply and power cables, then my Select Walkabout becomes a Select Controller?Looking forward to some sound advice.Kind Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rog RJ Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 Yes, the Walkabout is a normal Select without a power supply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 The Select Controller normally comes with a 1 Amp Power Supply. However, Hornby also supply a 4 Amp Power Supply that is used on the Elite Controller. The update to a 4 Amp supply gives you the option to control more Loco's and seeing as you need to purchase one anyway, I would suggest you give serious consideration to going straight to the 4 Amp version. The Part Number of the 4 Amp Power Supply Unit is P9300. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 Be aware that Walkabouts are fairly old so the firmware is likely to be well out of date.When you do get it powered up check the first two numbers on screen - it will show XX then 30 then 03. What is XX. Latest version is 16 (i.e. vers 1.6).You are advised to get it updated by return to work at Hornby for a cost of around £15 plus postage one way. Call customer services for a returns number. This will give you a capable basic controller able to write to CVs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissaf Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 Your 'user name' infers that you may be located in New Zealand, where return postage costs to Hornby in the UK to get your Select firmware updated may not be cost effective. But do note this. If when you power up the Select the XX number Rob refers to is 11 which means version 1.1 version firmware, then this version really must be updated as it contains a serious BUG that damages Hornby R8247 Accessory Decoders. It also has limited support for some other non Hornby locomotive DCC decoders. The current 1.6 version firmware will totally transform the user experience of the Select and provide the ability to write to CVs 1 to 255 which the previous firmware releases could not do. Version 1.6, in addition to version 1.5, also provides support for the full F0 to F28 range of functions which is important to support 'sound' equipped loco decoders. If you do end up getting the Select firmware updated, then you will need the Select version 1.5 Manual plus the 1.6 manual Addendum. Both these manuals are downloadable from the 'Manuals' section of the Hornby website. TIP: As a newbie poster on the forum, just be aware that the 'Blue Button with the White Arrow' is not a 'Reply to this post' button. If you want to reply to any of the posts, scroll down and write your reply in the reply text box at the bottom of the page and click the Green 'Reply' button. See also – further TIPs on how to get the best user experience from this forum. TIPs include 'How to post images' and 'How to make links clickable'.https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/tips-on-using-the-forum/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiB Posted January 14, 2021 Author Share Posted January 14, 2021 Awesome thanks for the input guys.You are quite correct Chrissaf I am in New Zealand. Does anyone know of a NZ dealer that is able to carry out the software upate as discribed?Kind Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishmanoz Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 Unfortunately for us at the "wrong"end of the world, we know that only Hornby can do this firmware upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissaf Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 @KiwiBFishy is 100% correct. The Select firmware upgrade can only be done by Hornby themselves. It involves disassembling the Select to access the IC's on the circuit board and using specialist kit to re-program the ICs. Also, the firmware code is not in the 'public domain' and kept secure by Hornby. Thus, even if a local within country dealer had access to appropriate programming hardware, they haven't got access to the firmware code. Whereas, just for comparison and completeness of information. The Hornby Elite DCC Controller firmware is upgradeable DIY at home via downloadable files. The Hornby RailMaster eLink interface can also be firmware upgraded at home. RailMaster software includes a 'startup routine' to check the eLink firmware revision and offers to update it, if it finds a newer version is available. When a new eLink firmware is released, it is included in the new RailMaster software revision update installer code. As such, it is not distributed as a separate 'Internet' download. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiB Posted January 16, 2021 Author Share Posted January 16, 2021 Thanks for your help guys. I've yet to find out what version is on mine as I still waiting for the power adaptor to turn up. Initally I only intend to run a couple of trains and a few points, so hopefully what ever the version it will be adequate.Kind Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiB Posted February 27, 2021 Author Share Posted February 27, 2021 Hi guys, so good to back on the forum. Thought I just let ya know that my Select ended up version 1.2. So not quite as bad as the bug..gie 1.1. But a little way off 1.6. Thanks for everyones input and advice. I've got a lot more question's, and be making plenty of use of the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 @kiwi...scroll down this page to see the improvements each update brings to the Select.http://www.halton96th.org.uk/dcc-downloads.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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