Hi guys, I just purchased a new Kato C44-9W with Kobo shops special Loksound decoder fitted. The loco runs fantastic. All the sounds work like horn,bell ets, but when I throttle up there is no start-up or engine sounds AT ALL... NOTHING I have done a CV reset back to factory defaults, but this didn;t help. Has any-one else had this problem or know what I might do to fix it? Thanks in advance.
I had to remove the Loksound decoder from my Kobo model and send it to a DCC specialty shop that has a LokProgrammer to adjust the volume and install the correct sounds.
Try resetting the prime mover volume setting yourself, first. Documentation that came with the model should list the different sounds and their volume setting CVs.
UP,
Do you know what version Loksound decoder is installed in your C44-9W?
My older Loksound V2.0 decoders had a mute default at start up and sounds came on only after you pressed F1. (That was ESU's version of F8. I think the new V3.5 decoders use the universal F8 for sound/mute now.) My PCM F3 came with the V3.5 decoder and it had prime mover sounds right at start up - i.e. if my throttle was addressed to that particular locomotive.
You should be able to change the start up default so that the sounds come on immediately. I, however, am one of those that likes the fact that the sounds don't immediately come on and you have to push F8 to initialize them. I found the other way very annoying after awhile with my F3 and changed a few CVs so that it starts up muted.
UP, I would encourage you to download the Loksound decoder manual from ESU's website and place it in a 3-ring binder. Its very handy to pull out and look at when you need to.
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 have to press F8 to wake up the sounds. If it a Loksound Select I can give you the CVs to change to have sound on power up. The Version 4 decoder manual in online and so is the Select manual.
http://www.esu.eu/en/start/
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Thanks for all the help guys,,, yep it was F8, sorry for such a silly question.
I am having a love hate relationship with this decoder. Its in a Kato C44-9w, I am not sure of the version # though. Is there a way to find out. The kato instructions are almost non-existant. It does say however that the decoder is a 73400 series. But when I do a search on the esu web-site that comes up as a decoder for an Electric loco. ????
On a positive note I wil say that the motor control of this decoder is second to none!! Also the horn and other sounds are fantastic. However the actual engine exhaust sound is pretty poor. I have downloaded the Ver 3.5 manual in the hope thats that what it is. I wil continue to play with the sound CV's to try and get the exhaust correct.
I am running an old NCE Pro Cab, can any one explain how to map the function buttons please, as at the moment the horn button on the pro doesnt work, it actually is working as the lights button, but only when you actually hold it down.
Thanks again for all your help.
If F8 turns on and mutes the sound then you, at least, have V3.5. The V3.5 manual will definitely be more helpful. They'll list all the CVs in order and you can play with them as little or as much as you want.
Yea, the low-speed response (or BEMF) of the Loksound decoders is just terrific. Personally, I'd rather have excellent BEMF than excellent sound. I have two Trix Mikes and one PCM F3 and all them crawl on speed step 001.
The mapping adjustment should be in your PH Pro manual. If not, you can always download the Power Cab manual (same exact throttle as he Pro Cab) and it should be in there.
Actually, UP, if you have the money, it might be a good idea to purchase yourself a Power Cab. You can use it with your PH Pro as is because it automatically converts to a Pro Cab when you plug it in. You could then send back your old Pro Cab into NCE for repair. (Sounds like all they would need to do is to replace the rubber keypad.)
The Power Cab would also give you the freedom to program your locomotives at your bench. All you need is the Power Cab (plus the PCP panel and wall transformer that comes with the Power Cab) and a spare piece of track.
Anyhow, I thought I'd just throwing that idea out there for you. Glad to hear things are working again...
OK I have pretty much got this sorted.
Only problem now seems to be a strange TICKING sound coming from the decoder speaker. It is there ALL the time, even when the loco is stationary and when I turn cv63 (master sound control) right down the ticking volume goes down as well. I noticed on another thread that it may be the air pump. I should be able to change the individual volume for this with the decoder by adjusting cv307. However my NCE wont seem to let me adjust a cv with that high a number. Any thoughts, thanks.
By the way The Kato instructions DO say in fact that the decoder is a SELECT series.. (MY BAD)
If you know how to use your NCE system, there's no reason at all that it cannot program any CV number.
I don't know about your particular decoder, but are you sure it isn't "locked"? If it's locked you cannot change CVs. Read through the manual and see if the decoder can be locked and unlocked.
UPdiesel Only problem now seems to be a strange TICKING sound coming from the decoder speaker.
Only problem now seems to be a strange TICKING sound coming from the decoder speaker.
This is probably just that particular digitized sound sample clip repeating over and over. I've heard something similar on my PCM F3. Some recorded sounds are sampled better than others. Turning it down may be your only option.
UP.
All the Cvs above 250 are indexed CVs. This is covered in the Select manual. The manual you need is the third one down on this list. http://www.esu.eu/en/downloads/instruction-manuals/digital-decoders/
Down load it and save it to your computer. To allow sound at start up set CV31=16 CV32=1 Then CV403=32. The sounds will come on when the DCC power is turned on. CV403 is not in the manual. I had to get this from ESU.
The 'clicking' might be the 'spitter' that GE locos have, but set to occur too often. There are usually some CVs that control the frequency of the random 'extra' sounds. If you stand next to an idling GE loco, every so often you will here "tick tick tick" . Ulrich has a customized sound set for one of the decoders with loadable sounds, I think it's Loksound, that captures this effect really well.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I have downloaded the manual now thanks and studied it. I am having trouble understanding Indexed cv's. I understand that cv32 gives them multiple uses dep on weather it is set at 1,2or3.I cant seem to get a grasp on the tables though. Would someone smarter than I please explain it.
To confirm where I am at at the moment.
The "ticking" noise you are hearing is supposed to be there - there's nothing wrong with your decoder. In the Loksound files, they called it a "spitter"and is commonly heard on those engines.
As has already been mentioned, this is a "random" sound. Random sounds have their own volume control and also the frequency of how often the random files are played.
The "spitter" file is actually created of three individual "spitter" files - a single spit, and two multiple "spit" loops. Which one and in which order isn't always the same.
That all being said - yeah, it can get annoying after a while ! Turn down the andom sounds volume for starters if it bother you that much. Unfortunately, I can't be much help with CV specifics as I use the ESU programmer on my computer for programming Loksound decoders.
Mark.
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