I've just finished installing a TSU-750 into an Athearn N scale Challenger and I'm in the process of tuning it up.I'm pleased with the motor control but I'd like to adjust some sounds,if that can be done.The bell and steam release are loud enough but the whistle,being a very low pitch (big steam) is barely audible.As far as the other sounds,they could be a little louder but this doesn't bother me much.Can the sounds be adjusted independently(with CV's) or do I need to install a bigger speaker.I have a Soundtraxx 3/8 in. speaker installed.To me,CV's and programming are mostly like chineese,so if there was a reasonably simple way.I have a Digitrax DCS200/DT400R set-up.Thanks.
If it is anything like the bigger Tsunami, there are a ton of features to play with.
First thing you should do is download the documentation from Soundtraxx. That will tell you what features are available and how to program them. Find it here: http://soundtraxx.com/manuals/tsutechreference.pdf
You will probably need a programming track booster to actually write the CVs. Soundtraxx and others make these. They are connected between the booster and the track.
The easiest way to program a Tsunami is via DecoderPro (part of the JMRI package). For that you will need an interface such as the locobuffer. Or you can run it in simulation mode, print out all the CVs, and do it manually. Slow, but it can be done. Or just skip DecoderPro and do it manually using the Soundtraxx documentation. You can download DecoderPro from http://jmri.sourceforge.net/ , everything is in one download
Yes, it is a little costly, but from experience, they don't play nice without the programming track booster, and DecoderPro makes life a lot easier. If you ask around maybe someone already has the extras and can help you there.
Thanks for your answer.I knew that there is more than one way of doing it.My problem is that I'm not a software champ in any regard,I'm a minimal computer user at best.I have Digitrax's PR3 but I ran out of patience before I could get it set up to function right.When I was a member at the club,I used their computer to program the adresses in new decoders.I just had to type the new adress,click "write" and then run the loco,so I never really learned anything about programming.
So my solution is quite simple,I'll have to go through the learning process once for all I hope,because,to be honest,I'd rather be installing hardware...'cause this is what I'm good at.
Obviously,no one can do the learning in my behalf.However,it would be of great help if I could find some practical CV settings chart.All manufacturers state "ranges" and don't state what the effects are for said datas.OK,0-255 means something...to them...is 0 mute and 255 very loud.Would it be wise to set the CV's somewhere in the 125 area as a starting point?I guess I'll have to learn all this too.Thanks.
I'm absolutely sure these datas will be of great help so I thank you right away.But they'll be helpful if I can find what I'm not doing right in setting up the PR3.When using Digitrax's Soundloader,I keep getting the "can't communicate with programmer" and DecoderPro says "not connected with none".The PR3 has it's power supply as required,is linked to a test track and to a USB port on my computer.What wrong?The PR3,the computer or the user?
Check the com port settings. For some reason this trips things up.
There is an active DecoderPro (really JMRI) mailing list on Yahoo Groups that may be of assistance there too.
Sounds like you have most of the bits and pieces, so just read through the Soundtraxx documentation and experiment...
Thanks to both of you for your answers.Unfortunately,I've had no success with the computer set-up.I'll have one of my son's friends take a look at it when he comes by.Since the computer works ok for my every day needs,I won't risk fouling it up.I've fouled things up enough as it is.
Not having success with the PR3 as a computer link,I tried turning to my DCS200 Command Station to program a new adress into the Tsunami the same way that had worked fine with the MRC decoder.Guess what?...I lost the Tsunami,simple as this.It originally responded to 03 and now won't respond to the adress I "tried" to program into it.I have no idea where it is now other than where the hardware is.
So...keep calm...carefully read the Digitrax instruction booklet and then try to read the CV's so I might find where it's gone to.Can't read on the program track on any mode.So I do as I did with the MRC...put the engine on the main...try to read...three modes say "no d" then the last says "good"...great!...press display...hear a short light crackling sound in the speaker...display says...FAIL.Ignoring this,I try "pushing" a new adress to it (like I did with the MRC)...nothing.Like if the Tsunami had died.I guess that with all my trial and error attempts,I must have seriously fouled the decoders basic set-ups so that it won't react to any thing until I find a way(probably the Soundtraxx booster) to speak to it.But I've had it for now and will try again in a couple days with a refreshed patience.I didn't see nor smell any smoke...I suppose there's still some hope.
When you change the Tsunami's address (or any other decoder) from 3 to a long address, you must also change the value in CV 29 to tell the decoder to use the long address.
I always set a value of 34 in CV 29, which tells the locomotive to run in the normal forward direction, turn off DC track operation, use 28 speed steps, and use the long address instead of 3.
Some DCC systems do this automatically, and other don't.