I'm still not at all satisfied with my Micro 3.5 in an Athearn Genesis HO F3. Everyone seems to rave about LokSound motor control but so far my QSI, and even Digitrax decoders have better start, stop and very slow speed performance.
I can't get it to start at speed step 1 and when it does finally start to barely move it stalls unless I advance the throttle more and then it moves faster than I want it too, not real fast, but not that very slow, gradual creep from stop to running speed.
I'm definitely not fond of the manual and maybe I'm just not understanding it as well as I need to. Can anyone point me to any particular manual section that might help me with motor control and maybe give some tips on what I should be looking for? I also have the following questions:
1. I can't get the horn to do a short toot. Is there any adjustment for this? I do like the QSI horns far better, but again, maybe I'm missing some possible adjustments with LokSound?
2. Is there a way to adjust the bell ring rate?
Any suggestions would be apprecitated.
Jerry
Rio Grande vs. Santa Fe.....the battle is over but the glory remains!
Jerry,
Is your F3 just an A-unit and that's the reason you're using a micro V3.5 decoder?
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
davidmbedard Genesis F units are nortorious for pickup issues. Have you corrected yours? David B
David B
It doesn't act like a pickup problem but I wouldn't rule that out. I really don't know how to check/fix possible pickup problems but I guess I could take it apart and see what I can figure out. I have another Athearn F3 with a Digitrax DH165AO/Soundbug and it runs and creeps very well.
Don't get me wrong, this loco runs well but takes some very skilllful use of the throttle to keep it as smooth as I like. I guess I was just expecting so much more from a LokSound. At almost $50 more than a 165/Soundbug I would expect amazing results. This could still be my problem and I need to really dig into the manual and try to master this decoder.
tstageJerry, Is your F3 just an A-unit and that's the reason you're using a micro V3.5 decoder? Tom
Yes it's an A-unit. I really like the small size of the Micro.
I have one in a PCM F3 A-B but I don't know if it's a Loksound micro or "full-size" V3.5. Whichever the case, it crawls quite nicely at speed step 001. I also have full-size Loksound decoders in my two Trix Mikes (one V2.0; the other, V3.5) and they both have excellent low-speed response.
Like you, Brent, I've used N- and Z-scale decoders in my HO switchers and haven't had a problem with running them slowly. Is there another locomotive that you could "temporarily" install your Loksound micro into just to see if the problem lies with the decoder vs. the locomotive?
The other thing worth checking is whether the Loksound decoder's BEMF is activated or not. That could make a difference in performance.
tstageJerry, I have one in a PCM F3 A-B but I don't know if it's a Loksound micro or "full-size" V3.5. Whichever the case, it crawls quite nicely at speed step 001. I also have full-size Loksound decoders in my two Trix Mikes (one V2.0; the other, V3.5) and they both have excellent low-speed response. Like you, Brent, I've used N- and Z-scale decoders in my HO switchers and haven't had a problem with running them slowly. Is there another locomotive that you could "temporarily" install your Loksound micro into just to see if the problem lies with the decoder vs. the locomotive? The other thing worth checking is whether the Loksound decoder's BEMF is activated or not. That could make a difference. Tom
The other thing worth checking is whether the Loksound decoder's BEMF is activated or not. That could make a difference.
Thanks Tom. I may try your suggestion. And, yes, BEMF is activated. I'll keep working with this until I get it right. There are just too many good reports about LokSound to think that it is the decoder and not me.
One other thing to consider....how well "run in" is the loco? Identical models can often have very differing characteristics when new due in part to tolerances and internal friction, burnishing of contact surfaces, etc. I have a pair of 10 year old Proto 1000 GP-7's that now have Loksound decoders and oval dual speakers, and they run and sound great! Just something to consider, eh? John
I had a feeling it might be me and not the decoder. I decided to reset the decoder to factory values and sure enough it now starts on speed step 1 and runs nice and slow and smooth. Previously when I was trying to speed match this to another loco I must have changed some values and just couldn't get them back to run well. Now it's just fine.
However, now the horn blows on F1 and the bell on F2???? Back to the manual and/or Decoder Pro to see how to fix this. Thanks for all to the responses.