Using a Digitrax DCS50. Loco is a brand new (HO) Bachmann Climax with DCC/Sound
Put the new Bachmann (HO) Climax loco on the ProgMode track and tried to ID the decoder. It kept coming up with [d nA] (note: checked my other locos on it, no problems reading their decoders) Then stuck the Climax on the regular track and it activates on factory address 03, but makes a constant LOUD HISS. The directional lights, whistle and forward/reverse all work fine. But that constant HISS is seriously LOUD??? Something isn't right.
If anyone can help, it will be much appreciated. Thanks!
Rob
Bachmann is using a SoundTraxx Tsunami decoder, so you can download the technical reference manual for it from the SoundTraxx web site if you need to have a CV listing. Something might not have been programmed properly at the factory, and a decoder reset may cure the problem.
Try a factory reset and see if that solves the problem by programming CV 8 with a value of 8. After doing this, tip the loco slightly for a couple of seconds to remove power from it, then set it back down on the track and see if the hiss has gone away.
Your decoder is losing pressure, Rob. Better check for loose connections.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
You can reduce the volume of the hiss, but you should also be able to turn it off. On all of my steam varieties of Tsunami, F4 is steam hiss. Somehow your throttle has F4 showing as an active function on your throttle. Maybe you pressed it inadvertently.
Crandell
tstage Your decoder is losing pressure, Brent. Better check for loose connections. Tom
Your decoder is losing pressure, Brent. Better check for loose connections.
Or perhaps a hissing reptile? Snakes on a train!
I don't know what a Climax should sound like. Could you have a function key set to stay on after you press it, and that corresponds to a steam letoff on this engine?
How does the rest of the engine sound when you run it, stop it, toot the whistle and ring the bell? Are all the sounds this loud?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Thanks for the suggestions (and humor) guys! How do I program a CV if my Digitrax does not find (communicate with) the decoder? Please keep in mind, I am new to DCC (total novice) and I have never programmed anything beyond locomotive numbers for selecting which one I want to run.
Thanks! Rob
I believe your loco has a Tsunami decoder and these are sometimes a problem with the Zephyr. Try "blast mode" programming on the main. It worked for me with a problem Tsunami in an Athearn loco. The procedure is described here: http://ikm.digitrax.com/questions.php?questionid=1458 . I hope this helps.
Joe
I'm thinking Crandell has the right idea. Try pressing F4 and see what happens. If that doesn't stop it, try all the other function buttons and see if anything stops the hiss sound.
Hey, before I even read this one, was downstairs in the train room trying again and before giving up completely, thought I would try it one last time on the mainline and take notes of exactly which functions did and didn't work. Well, as soon as I hit #4, the hiss went away. I didn't know all those sounds were not programmed to automatically turn on and off upon starting and stopping the engine. Hey, even found the number for filling up at the water tank, which I then proceeded to do. Cool! Now if I can just figure out how to program the loco number from the factory setting #3 to the actual number on this loco #12, I'll be all set. Guess I need to get one of those "signal boosters" just to reprogram this one locomotives number. At least I know it works now. Thanks again!!!
Cheers! Rob
When I was trying to program my one and only steam engine with a Tsunami decoder I had the same kind of trouble and took my engine back to the LHS I bought the Tsunami from. The guy tried as much as I did and finally called SoundTraxx for some help. I happened onto a little trick with my adventures in programming sound decoders; set a DC engine on the program track with the DCC engine you are programming. This has helped more than once. Don't know but can't hurt.
Good Luck
Wayne