Hello Group.
I have a rather strange problem with my Blackstone K-27s.
First, the particulars.
I have a Digitrax DCS50 (Zephyr) command station. I use the PR3 in standalone mode for programming. I have a two foot test track that I connect to the PR3 and I use a Bachrus test stand.
Here is what I have done for K-27 #462 but I get the same results with all four of my K-27s..
I programmed the long address to 463 and the short address to 62. At this point, everything is as expected. The locomotive works fine on the test stand with either the Zephyr or the Laptop/PR3 in control.
Next, I make some changes in the EQ settings. I increase the Bass and cut some of the Treble. I test it out using the PR3 (still in standalone mode, the Zephyr is totally out of the loop) and everything is fine. I'm getting close to the sound I want.
I disconnect the PR3 from the test track and hook up the Zephyr. I turn on the track power and acquire #462. This is where things get a bit strange. The motor functions are working as expected as are the lights, but I get no sound. I check to make sure that I do not have the sound muted. I am not getting any sound at all.
I switch to one of the other K-27s that have only had the address set (all other CVs are at factory defaults) and everything works as expected, including the sound. So I reset #462 to factory defaults and reset the address as stated above and now get sound.
Any changes to the equalizer settings seem to cause the sound to quit on me when using the Zephyr. The same thing happens with all four K-27s.
Have any of you heard of anything like this?
Do any of you have any suggestions?
I e-mailed both Digitrax and Blackstone. Neither had heard of this nor did either have anything to suggest.
Thanks.
Vernon in Central Indiana
I use Tsunami's more than any other sound decoder. However, I have not changed the EQ settings. Too bad you are not using Decoder Pro from JMRI. It might shed some light on the issue.
I have two suggestions for you.
One - Try changing the EQ setting when programming on the main with the loco running. You will know right away which EQ setting is giving you problems.
Two - Contact Soundtraxx and see what they have to say.
Since the locos came with the decoders installed from the manufacturer, I think they use a cheaper version rather than the Tsunami's that you buy and install yourself. Bachmann does. The cheaper versions may not have the EQ settings implemented, and changing them may actually turn the sound off.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
I am using Decoder Pro. I should have mentioned that when I made my original post.
That is weird.
Try setting CV128 to 192 on the main. Did you set the CV to tell them you are using a custom EQ?
Then try moving the locomotive and see if you get any sound.
PS: Blackstone is the same company as soundtraxx, just a different division.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Thanks for your reply.
From the checking I have done on the associated Yahoo groups, it appears that the DCS50 cannot set CV128.
According the what DecoderPro reported, CV128 was at 255
The thing that puzzles me is that when using a DecoderPro throttle in operations mode, I get sound. I could use my laptop, DecoderPro, and my PR3 instead of my DCS50 to run my layout (a 1.5 by 8 foot demonstration layout) and I would have full functionality.
Until this problem is solved, I'll use the default EQ settings.
And yes, I realize that Soundtrax and Blackstone are related companies.
Use the PR3 in "MS100" mode and connect through the Zephyr and program with DecoderPro - you can do Ops Mode with DecoderPro. This sounds suspiciously like an issue that surfaced back whent he PR3 first came out - it seems th Digitrax sound decoders have a CV option that will disconnect the motor to allow the sounds to be tested (the PR3 really doesn;t put enough power to the track to run the motors), and the PR3 sets and resets this on either changing modes or when track power is turned on and off. I don;t rememebr what this CV is off the top of my head, but I don;t think anyoen else implements it, so it could be somethign used for some other function int he Tsunami, or just one that isn't supposed to be modified.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker Use the PR3 in "MS100" mode and connect through the Zephyr and program with DecoderPro - you can do Ops Mode with DecoderPro. This sounds suspiciously like an issue that surfaced back whent he PR3 first came out - it seems th Digitrax sound decoders have a CV option that will disconnect the motor to allow the sounds to be tested (the PR3 really doesn;t put enough power to the track to run the motors), and the PR3 sets and resets this on either changing modes or when track power is turned on and off. I don;t rememebr what this CV is off the top of my head, but I don;t think anyoen else implements it, so it could be somethign used for some other function int he Tsunami, or just one that isn't supposed to be modified. --Randy
Randy,
When I get a chance, I'll give that a try. But using DecoderPro and the PR3 in standalone mode (with an 18v power supply), I have no trouble getting the K-27 move. Using my test track and the Bachrus test stand, I have been able to test changes to the speed table using this setup (DCS50 packed away in its' box).
I will connect the DCS50 to the track and use the PR3 in MS100 mode and a DecoderPro throttle to see if anything changes.
I'm away from home now and it may be a few days before I can do the test.
I dont' beleive the PR3 was meant to actually run trains.
Try setting the CV's manually in decoder pro.
In the startup go to tools then programmers and single cv programmer.
Good luck
Springfield PA
It wasn't, but it sort of does. It can;t handle much current - but those Blakcstone K-27's don't draw much. I played around with it a bit and I was able to actually run a Walther FA with a motor-only decoder. My PCM T-1 with Loksound, I was able to make the sounds work but as soon as I tried to move the loco it overloaded the PR3. In the Digitrax Soundloader software, for loading new sounds intot he Digitrax sound decoders, there is a 'test mode' which lets you throttle up and run through all the sounds except it 'disconnects' the motor, sort of like one of the disconnect modes on QSI decoders.
Hamltnblue I dont' beleive the PR3 was meant to actually run trains. Try setting the CV's manually in decoder pro. In the startup go to tools then programmers and single cv programmer. Good luck
I may not have been intended to do so, but with the 18v power supply I use with it, I can run one of my K-27s on the Bachrus test stand and run it up to full speed and listen to the sound. This is wiht the PR3 in standalone mode and using a DecoderPro throttle to control the locomotive.
Once I make any changes to the EQ settings, I do not get sound with the DCS50. The locomotive operates as if it had a non sound decoder, lights and motor function only. Once I reset to defaults and set the long address (no other changes from factory settings), I get sound either way (DCS50 or PR3/DecoderPro).
Vernon/IN...I test it out using the PR3 (still in standalone mode, the Zephyr is totally out of the loop) and everything is fine. I'm getting close to the sound I want. I disconnect the PR3 from the test track and hook up the Zephyr. I turn on the track power and acquire #462. This is where things get a bit strange. The motor functions are working as expected as are the lights, but I get no sound...
I disconnect the PR3 from the test track and hook up the Zephyr. I turn on the track power and acquire #462. This is where things get a bit strange. The motor functions are working as expected as are the lights, but I get no sound...
Since it works using the Decoder Pro throttle through the PR3, but not when using the Zephyr, the first thing I would look at is the throttle speed steps and see if you are using the same settings in Decoder Pro and with the Zephyr.
CSX Robert Vernon/IN: ...I test it out using the PR3 (still in standalone mode, the Zephyr is totally out of the loop) and everything is fine. I'm getting close to the sound I want. I disconnect the PR3 from the test track and hook up the Zephyr. I turn on the track power and acquire #462. This is where things get a bit strange. The motor functions are working as expected as are the lights, but I get no sound... Since it works using the Decoder Pro throttle through the PR3, but not when using the Zephyr, the first thing I would look at is the throttle speed steps and see if you are using the same settings in Decoder Pro and with the Zephyr.
Vernon/IN: ...I test it out using the PR3 (still in standalone mode, the Zephyr is totally out of the loop) and everything is fine. I'm getting close to the sound I want. I disconnect the PR3 from the test track and hook up the Zephyr. I turn on the track power and acquire #462. This is where things get a bit strange. The motor functions are working as expected as are the lights, but I get no sound...
I'll try that, but the only thing not working is the sound. The motor and light functions operate as normal .
Thanks for the suggestion.
It looks like a solution may have been found. It seems to be connected to the way the PR3 turns off the motor function when testing sound files on their Soundbug decoders.when used with their DH165 series decoders,
The CV Digitrax uses for this is CV128. On the Tsunami, this CV is the one used for the master volume control.
It seems that when I tested my sound setting using the PR3/DecoderPro combination, the PR3 changed the value of CV128 to 0. This turns sound off.
I have not had a chance to try this out, but I should be able to do so this Thursday if everything goes according to plan.
The solution is to either not test the sound settings using the PR3 or to reset CV128 after the test.
I'll try it both ways and report back in this thread.
Thanks everyone for your assistance.
Vernon
Yup, that;s what I thought.
I just tested the option where I make and test the changes in DecoderPro and then reset CV128 before exiting DP. As expected, this option works. Thanks again for the assistance.