Thanks guys. I downloaded the Tsunami Technical Manual, whih gave me what I was looking for. Got it working pretty good now. Ditch lights, crossing effect, etc. Thanks again.
If you go to the tsunami page there are actually 2 manuals. The first is the technical reference. This will list all cv's and their function as well as range and default.
The second is the users guide. This puts the main programming sections into more plain english and IMO is easier to understand for the average Joe.
Here's the page with the links
http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals.php
Springfield PA
Here are the horns most likely available for your decoder. These are for the TSU AT1000 EMD710
http://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/tsunami/showwistle.php?s=emd710
This info is on a packaging card included with your decoder and has a listing of each horn CV value and associated horn among other info.
The manuals(users manual, installation manual and technical reference) have the default values in them. But not all manuals have all default values. The last I checked, the tech ref had all default values listed on the bottom of each individual CV segment.
I have made an excell spreadsheet to start recording function and CV purposes/values as a sort of cheat sheet---not done yet however. After I started doing this I discovered Decoder Pro and it made a lot of that info unnecessary and all of my decoders easier to use.
Richard
Rich,
Look at the rear of the manual- you will find a appendix B chart- it will list all CV's and what they do.
As for the horn you will need to know what decoder you have- then go the SoundTraxx web site find the decoder them you should be able to see what horns are on that decoder.
One of the best ways to program a Tsunami, is using the JMRI Decoder -Pro software with a PC.
Thanks. I'll try all of that. I downloaded the Tsunami manual, but it is unclear and lacking in several areas. I would like to see the defaults for all CVs, as well as the ranges. Some are 0 to 255. Others are different. The manual doesn't say what the ranges are for some of the CVs. The decoder seems to have some good features, but it is a learning experience for sure. I could not figure why the loco ran so slow, and was so slow to move. When I read back the value of CV3, it was 128! I certainly didn't program it that way. I had not programmed it at all yet, at that point. I like it, but it has taken me a while to figure it out.
Also, CV115 controls the horn selection, with a value from 0 to 15. But nowhere in the manual does it say what value equals what horn. Couldn't find it on the Soundtraxx website either. You just have to try each one. Thanks for all the input.
Rich
CV 196 will adjust the brake squeal sensitivity-it does not make it a auto feature-
For the auto feature you must change CV 198 (for DCC mode) to work. Set CV198 to 8 and this will make the brakes squeal, then you can adjust 196 to make them come on as you would like. Doing a reset will not make the auto brake squeal, as this is not a default setting.
The Bachmann EZ-Command has buttons for 0-9 b ut no F9 as well. The break is at F8 because that's the way the NMRA standards were written. F9-F12 uses a different method of encoding the function commands in the packets, and F13-F28 uses yet another method.
Some early systems only went to F4! Still enough even for basic sound.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
No, the Zephyr does not have an "F9" button. It does have a "9" button, it is used for entering the digit 9 when programming CV's or selecting Loco's or switches.
Well, here's another fine mess you've got us into, Ollie.
If it's not working in automatic try turning up the brake squeel volume. As far as 28 functions I think I tried them a couple of times but it gets old real quick. All I use is the horn, lights, bell and the remainder of the sounds are automatic.
Yes, brake squeal should be automatic, depending on CV196 as I mentioned in my first post. It shouldn't matter what function button the manual brake squeal is set for. There may be another CV for brake squeal, I was just skimming the manual not looking for all the details. If things have gotten too far out of whack you cna try resetting to factory defaults, which should have an automatic brake squeal, and then adjusting what needs adjusting.
Truck MRC Prod. Adv.2 Sq. I just love it's 28 function capabilities. No extra nothing to buy, just plug in and go.
MRC Prod. Adv.2 Sq. I just love it's 28 function capabilities. No extra nothing to buy, just plug in and go.
That's fine. It's not a Digitrax, is it......
But, thanks for comin' out.
Crandell
You can program the Tsunami's to have an automatic brake squeal, and there will be no need to push any buttons.
Well, it wasn't a helpful post. And Randy's analysis of the progression of MRC's DCC products is spot on, and exactly why I won't touch them with a twenty foot pole. Inflation, you know!
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
And I thought we had a kinder and gentler forum.
Lee
28 functions is largely a "hey look I have more, and more is better" marketing thing and sadly, now every manufacturer has bought in to it. 28 for WHAT? barnyard sounds? train wreck simulations?
Diesels have a motor, a horn, a bell, and brakes. Even simulating manual notching doesn't require 28 functions. Who can ever REMEMBER what all 28 control? Oh gee whiz, an automatic grade crossing sequence - have we become too lazy to press the F2 button the proper number of times? Oh, I might need 1 more for a steam loco, to operate the injector.
Until someone comes up with an ACTUAL use for 28 functions, I'll continue to say the same thing - it serves no purpose other than being a gimmick. And now it's not even really that because everyone's system support it.
Had I purchased MRC's DCC system at the time I got my Zephyr, I would have had to throw it away and buy a whole new system to get the current one. It took MRC 3 or 4 tries to figure out that people don't want to buy a whole new system to get extra capabilities. In the meantime, I've kept the same Zephyr and added on more throttles and other accessories and now have all the leatest features using the same old system.
So tell me, how's that computer interface working out, the one that DOESN'T support both free and commercial software like JMRI or RR & Co. How's that plug in track detection and signalling system? Oh yeah, the bus can't handle that.
hobo9941 My Zephyr has an F9 button. Are you saying it does nothing? The button is there...
My Zephyr has an F9 button. Are you saying it does nothing? The button is there...
My Zephyr has an F9 button. Are you saying it does nothing? The button is there. I also checked and programmed the CV196 to 3. I have a UT4, but it is up north, where the layout is. I just have a test track here at home.
According to the chart in the Tsunami manual, I can't remap the brake squeal to anything lower than F9. But it should work on auto, when I slow the engine down.
Unless you actually have a Zephyr Xtra or a DT40x or UT4 throttle, you have no F9 button to trigger anything that might be on F9. Regular Zephyr only does F0-F8 unless an external throttle capable of more is plugged in.
Also check CV196, this is the threshold for the automatic brake squeal. Default is 3. Larger means you have to crank the speed down faster, smaller means it will trigger brake squeal with less rapid throttle movement.
I just installed a Tsunami in an Athearn SD75I. Works OK. I love the ditchlights flashing in crossing mode.
Now then. I have no brake squeal, auto or manual. I remapped the brake squeal to F9, by programming 128 into CV43, as per the manual. I have a Zephyr also. CV43 reads back a value of 128, but no brake squeal on F9, or on auto mode.
Also, I could not figure out why it started so slow. Discovered a value of 128 in CV3, the acceleration CV, right from the factory! That'some pretty slow acceleration. I think the default is 0.
My question is why no brake squeal,or coupler sounds?
Thanks, Rich