Hi
I have a problem with a digitrax SDH164D sound FX decoder with it not working the light, installed into a Bachmann baldwin 4-6-0 steam loco and use the F0 function and loco plays a sound instead of headlight comng on . Loco runs well but sound is not that good (makes some sounds without pressing function buttons.)
:andy
The SDH164D is kind of a disappointing decoder. The volume level, even at full volume, is barely enough to get above the ambient noise of most trains in motion. If you haven't set everything to full volume, that will help.
What sound does the engine make when you try to turn on the headlight? If this is a steamer, then I would expect a high-pitched, rising tone when you turn on the headlight, and a falling tone when you turn it off. That's the sound of the engine's magneto spinning up to power the light. Even if the light is wired wrong, you'll still get the sound, so I would check the light wiring.
EDIT: I was thinking of the SFX064D. That's the one with the low volume level that I am familiar with. I have no personal experience with the 164D. The similarity in model number, though, would lead me to believe this is the same sound decoder with motor functions added, so I wouldn't be surprised if its output volume is similarly limited.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
The sound you hear is probably the steam-driven dynamo that provided electrical power on steam engines. It revs up when the headlight is turned on, and goes off when the headlight is turned off. It should be a high-pitched whine.
If the headlight is not working you might have the wires reversed to it, because it's probably an LED, and they are polarity sensitive.
If you didn't put a resistor into the headlight circuit, you may have burned out the headlight LED.
also theres a cv that needs to bo turned to =0 or the engine may slow down when whistle/horn is sounded....I think its cv58 BUT not sure....I found this unit to be plenty loud and once adjusted a great low cost alternative for mid consist units so they ALL dont sound the same ,just my opinion'..... but theres a place for em on my RR...Jerry ps the default gp-38 diesel is very nice