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problem with athearn fp45 dual sound decoder

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  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Barranquilla, Colombia
  • 327 posts
problem with athearn fp45 dual sound decoder
Posted by RedLeader on Thursday, August 12, 2010 8:37 PM

 Hello.  While programing one of my Block Watchers, I forgot to reset the jumper from the program setting to the run setting, and run my athearn fp45 on that block.  She ran ok for a while and suddenly she stoped and had no response from her.  Then I realized the jumper on the BW was in the program position.  After moving the jumper back to the run position, the fp45 still did't respond.  I ran the loco in DC and she runs normally and the sound decoder works fine in DC too.  I don't know if the decoder is damaged since it runs ok on DC mode, but still can't get any response on DCC, and the fact that the decoder doen't have any feedback is just annoying.  Is there a way to reset the decoder or is it just fried?  I use NCE Power Pro DCC, I changed the CV129 value to 1 to reset to manufacturer values and still nothing, eventhough the decoder respond to the program track because the headlights blink everytime I enter a new CV value.

 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Friday, August 13, 2010 7:11 AM

Who makes the sound decoder you reference -- Athearn has used two different brands, MRC and SoundTraxx Tsunami.  The reset CV is different between the two brands.

MRC documentation I have says factory reset is CV 125, not CV 129.  MRC decoders don't even have a CV 129.

I believe Tsunami decoder reset is CV 30 = 2.

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Barranquilla, Colombia
  • 327 posts
Posted by RedLeader on Saturday, August 14, 2010 2:00 PM
Sorry,I meant CV125.  Nothing, still nothing.  Is there a way to phisically reset it.

 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Saturday, August 14, 2010 2:32 PM

RedLeader
Is there a way to phisically reset it.

Short of removing it and smashing with a sledge hammer, I know of no way.  If it cannot be reset through CV 125 it's probably toast.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Saturday, August 14, 2010 4:22 PM

Again, what decoder did the loco come with?

The CV's should read back with the Program Track option. They do with my NCE Power Cab.

Also, try a reset using the program track option. Again, the Athearn came with MRC first run and Tsunami second run.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Barranquilla, Colombia
  • 327 posts
Posted by RedLeader on Sunday, August 15, 2010 12:59 AM

 no read back.  It says that these dual sound decoders have no readback...

 

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