After some trial and error, and a lot of help from some good folks, I was able to not only download a sound project to my trolley, but also modify an existing project to my own specifications and download that, verifying that my changes actually made it out to the trolley's decoder. Yay!
I'm using the SFX0416 sound-and-functions decoder from Digitrax with a Bachmann decoder that came with the trolley. This does result in some conflicts, so my first problem is that I need to isolate the sound decoder when programming it. Since it's not a plug-in, but rather a wire-in, I actually had to snip a wire to do this, and connect it back up later. (The second time, I only twisted the connection, and then covered it with a piece of shrink-tubing that I did not heat to shrink it, so I can slip it back off again. The PR2 requires a load on the decoder, which means another connection. I used a small 16-volt bulb between the blue and white function leads of the sound decoder to accomplish this. (I tried the bulb and various resistors across the track, and in parallel and series with the decoder power, but none of these options does the job. It's got to be on the function lines.)
I used the assembler code from MicroChip (www.microchip.com) which is a free download. Like all these IDE's (Integrated Development Environments,) it's got a few quirks that I had to deal with, but finally I managed to compile the ASM file, the code for the decoder, and I was able to get it into Soundloader, the Digitrax product which pushes it out the wire to the decoder.
OK, roll the credits...thanks go to:
David M. Bedard, for helping me get started.
AJ at Digitrax, for sending the initial files I needed for this.
Fred Miller, for his traction sound project, and for the ASM and other files he sent me, along with other advice on getting the assembler to do what it was supposed to.
Thanks, guys!
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
That's great.. When is the Youtube video going to be released?
For future reference, if you can program the address seperately on the sound decoder from the main decoder, it's a snap to set each seperately. I'm not certain how (or if) this would work with the PR2 (my PR1 is still in the box), but I know it works in OPS mode out on the mainline. Then when you get each programmed as you want them, set the addresses the same, or MU them together in a consist. I prefer the latter method as it makes making changes easier (no snipping of wires). My disclaimer here is that I have zero experience with the the Digitrax sound decoders. As soon as George sends me my check, I intend to gain some however.
Congratulations!
...and for others looking into doing this themselves, Digitrax has just announced the PR3 (USB interfaced) programmer as an alternative. It combines a USB-connected PR2-equivalent with a general-purpose LocoNet interface (like the old MS-100, except for USB).
-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.http://www.pmhistsoc.org
The PR2 / Soundloader combination needs to read the decoder's characteristics. It won't proceed with downloading a sound project if it sees a decoder which isn't on its approved list, which means a Digitrax downloadable sound decoder.
If there are 2 decoders in the engine/trolley, Soundloader gets confused and won't go to "Ready."
The PR2 can read and program CV's on non-sound decoders, though.