I just recentyl installed a TDC WOW sound decoder in an Athearn CF7 and I am also having some similar problems even with a built in keep alive module, the engine does automatically reset itself on the dead spots but at slow speeds it can be a rep!etitive interruption sounds unprototypical.
I cleaned the engines wheels with alcohol and I use aero track cleaner on my Peco switches and Atlas flex track, I have only programed the decoder for manual notching thus far because i'm still trying to find the reason for the continued power supply interruptions even though I have soldered feeder wires every after every switch in my multi track switch yard shelf layout. I purposely used undersized connectors when I started laying track down two years ago, ant all of the connection are super tight. My MTH SD70's are far less sensitive than this latest run of CF7's from Athearn, I do notice that the decoder works better with a load behind it at higher notching speeds than when I run it alone? This leads me to believe it maybe a CV issue thar can be correted through auto notching calibration which is an option built in to the TDC decoder, otherwise I must have oxidation going on? This is the only operating problem I have experienced with the WOW sound decoder of which I really enjoy, the multiple features and outstanding sound options are great, just needs to solve this one issue ?
Has anyone used WD40 on the track or engine wheels to solve this problem with the more sentive decoders mentioned in this stream? Darryl
Athearn
dstephensonHas anyone used WD40 on the track or engine wheels to solve this problem with the more sentive decoders mentioned in this stream? Darryl
Hi, Darryl
Do a search for Athearn pick up problems and you might find more information about design shortfalls and ways to improve electrical continuity.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=athearn+pick+up+problems
There has been some discussion about "enhancements" for electrical continuity here, too. I prefer a product called CRC 2-26 over WD40.
Regards, Ed
As long as we are praising LokSound,
Can anybody tell me how to turn down the volume of ONLY the prime mover in a select 4.0? The manual I read lists various individual volume controls, horn, squeal, etc., but I can't seem to find the right CV for the PM.
In the loco I have, the chug of exhaust dominates the volume of the horn throughout the master volume scale, so lowering the volume of only the PM would be helpful.
- Douglas
Doughless As long as we are praising LokSound, Can anybody tell me how to turn down the volume of ONLY the prime mover in a select 4.0? The manual I read lists various individual volume controls, horn, squeal, etc., but I can't seem to find the right CV for the PM. In the loco I have, the chug of exhaust dominates the volume of the horn throughout the master volume scale, so lowering the volume of only the PM would be helpful.
Which sound file is it ? And is it a Select decoder or a V4.0 ? - can't be both. ;)
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Thanks Mark.
I don't know. Its a b23-7 installed privately and bought by me second hand (it has ditchlights installed very nicely). It works great so I'm not inclined to pop the shell at this point. I assumed that the individual diesel sounds were pretty much universally goverend by the same CVs and instruction manual.
I just need to tone down the sound of the GE chug chug a bit relative to the other sounds.
I followed your advise and found a solution to my CF7 pick up problem on a google web search posted by Tony's trains, now i can stop cleaning my track's like crazy, if all I have to do is install new wheel sets that fit more tightly between the side plates axels it will have to be done as I have lot of time and money already spent on this Athearn engine and in addition I just purchased a Genesis MP1500 DCC ready switcher for my next sound decorder installation project.Thanks Ed. Darryl
Doughless Thanks Mark. I don't know. Its a b23-7 installed privately and bought by me second hand (it has ditchlights installed very nicely). It works great so I'm not inclined to pop the shell at this point. I assumed that the individual diesel sounds were pretty much universally goverend by the same CVs and instruction manual. I just need to tone down the sound of the GE chug chug a bit relative to the other sounds.
Sometimes different CV values may be used for the same feature in different files, but lets "assume" not in this case.
Loksound decoders have upper register CVs that need to be set first before making changes to any CV higher than 255. In this case, the prime mover volume being CV259.
You need to set CV31 to 16 and CV32 to 1 first before changing the value of CV259. The volume range for the prime mover is 0 to 128. The default value of CV259 is maximum volume set to 128.
dstephenson I followed your advise and found a solution to my CF7 pick up problem on a google web search posted by Tony's trains, now i can stop cleaning my track's like crazy, if all I have to do is install new wheel sets that fit more tightly between the side plates axels it will have to be done as I have lot of time and money already spent on this Athearn engine and in addition I just purchased a Genesis MP1500 DCC ready switcher for my next sound decorder installation project.Thanks Ed. Darryl
You can correct this yourself without buying new wheels. Just tap the axle out on each wheel the required 0.034", re-install in the plastic gear housing and re-gauge the wheels.
I lay the wheel face down on the jaws of my vice with the axle hanging down between the jaws. Tap on the axle until it moves the required amount. A caliper reading before you start is imperative. Fifteen to thirty minutes tops to do the whole engine.
Mark R. Doughless Thanks Mark. I don't know. Its a b23-7 installed privately and bought by me second hand (it has ditchlights installed very nicely). It works great so I'm not inclined to pop the shell at this point. I assumed that the individual diesel sounds were pretty much universally goverend by the same CVs and instruction manual. I just need to tone down the sound of the GE chug chug a bit relative to the other sounds. Sometimes different CV values may be used for the same feature in different files, but lets "assume" not in this case. Loksound decoders have upper register CVs that need to be set first before making changes to any CV higher than 255. In this case, the prime mover volume being CV259. You need to set CV31 to 16 and CV32 to 1 first before changing the value of CV259. The volume range for the prime mover is 0 to 128. The default value of CV259 is maximum volume set to 128. Mark.
Yeah, CV259, thanks Mark. Couldn't find the CV259 where I was looking, even though I've think I've used it in the past. Got it written down on the layout fascia now.