Got the ALco loaded and chugging away. CHanged the horn to the M3 (oops, the manual calls is a Lesle M3). Playing a soudn sample of an M3 from Ed Kapriske's web site on my computer while hitting the F2 in the driver cab screen of the LokProgrammer software - yeah, it's the same. Great horns. Air compressor needs to be turned down but it's being a little flakey setting CVs since I have no motor connected. That fact that it reads and writes ANY is a small miracle.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
DOwnside of buying from eBay - I got an old stock unit. The USB/serial cable they include is not supported by Windows 7 - well, not by the LokProgrammer software anyway- the drive loads fine and Windows sees is just fine. But if trying to select it it syas not supported. ESU is sellign an alternate USB cable with an FTDI chip that works. However, I do have another a Radio Shack one I've used on both Windows 7 and Linux to connect my serial Locobuffer. So I gave that a try - and it works fine! Loading the Alco sounds in my Select as I type.
Hopefully there are Linux drivers for the one that came with the LokProgrammer and I can use that one on the Linux machine with the Locobuffer.
Interesting that while this is suppsoed to be a generic unprogrammed Loksound Select Direct, it actually does have a bell and horn and some sort of generic prime mover sound in it, I tried the test run mode and sounds started up! Guess to give you somethign to verify the decoder is working when first installed.
Buncha clip leads all ove rmy desk but it's working. Seems to take a while to transfer sounds well, 32Mbit is a lot of data using DCC type protocols.
Randy,
You can send your Tsunami in and they will put a new file of your choice on the decoder. Minimal charge.
I am looking forward to learning how things go for you.
Richard
I have one engine, a Proto Alco S1, with a Loksound decoder. It's the only engine I've paid to have a decoder installed in. The engine sounds and runs just great. At first, I found the start delay annoying, not really understanding it, but now I enjoy the more prototypical performance.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
That's pretty much why I am standardizing on Loksound. ONE programmer. This will allow me to update my old Loksound 3.5, program Loksound 4.0, and also Loksound Select.
So SOundtraxx updated Tsunamis to laod up? Except if you have an old one, you're stuck, since there's no way to update them. Great. This is another reason why I was leanign QSI or Loksound - it's not only the sounds you can update, it's the firmware as well. You don;t NEED to do this - most of the DCC specialty dealers will sell QSI and Loksound with any of the sounds already loaded, so it would be just like buying a Tsunami.
But now it loads every time you move, no matter how slowly? I'm curious to see what the Loksound Select will do, but there is a CV to turn it off if it's not right. All I ever did on any QSI was add some startup momentum in CV3 and if I clikc the speed up slowly, it moves out without loading first, if ti open the throttle faster it loads first.
I think what made me buy the Loksoudn stuff is that they have a multitude of decoder sizes for just about anything. And the micro size ones come with an appropriately small speaker and enclosure. One of the locos I want to add sound to is my 44 tonner, and the Loksound Micro has the correct sounds available AND it's smaller than a Micro Tsunami. And I want to do one or two of my Stewart Baldwin switchers, that's the only one I don;t have sounds for yet - I have EMDs, Alcos, and the FM so far, at least one of each with sound, no Baldwins yet.
Hopefully tomorrow night or over the weekend I'll have a chance to play with it all. I'm tempted to go nuts with clip leads to try it all out, but I think for long term I will mount the Lokprogrammer on my program/test track next to my PR3 and add a DPDT toggle to flip between them. Also looks liek I could use the Loksound power supply to run the PR3 if I have any stubborn locos but I've been able to read everything just using the basic PS14.If I was REALLY tricky I'd get a pwoer supply with about double the current and split it to power both, one outlet used, since sometimes it is tough at shows finding enough connections to hook up my laptop AND the wall wart for the programmer.
Look forward to seeing what you find out. BTW, the newer Tsunami's load up before moving. Which frustrates me when I'm running light and just want to idle forward. I have called Soundtraxx and asked them to consider adding a CV for this problem--to make it user adjustable depending on the situation.
I look forward to trying out the new QSI Titan as well--two speaker system(I usually install Tsunami's with 2 speakers, btw). But, you have to buy their programmer if you want to change sound. One concern I have with buying the programmer is it makes me feel like I need to stay with that vendor's decoders and things(thankfully) are changing pretty rapidly. Of course you can just order the chip much like you can with Tsunami.
I have a factory done Bowser FT with a Tsunami, and an F7B dummy with an older Soundtraxx decoder and a monster speaker I did myself. My opionis on the Tsunami diesel decoders is rather well known I also have a pair os steam locos with factory Loksound 3.5, an Atlas Trainmaster with QSI, a pair of MTH FA's (which will probably be the closest comparison, same Alco prime mover and all - although I will probably try a few different sound sets in the Loksound just to hear them all before I finally install it), and also an MRC that is going into the darkest recesses of my parts bin so it never has to grace my sight again.
I'm curious to try this out, as there is a CV in the Select they call "Startup Delay" which is supposed to do exactly what the Tsunami can't - load up the prime mover before the train starts moving. The QSI easily accomplished this with some momentum. Seems like with Tsunami the only way to do this is with manual notching. Motor control I am expecting to be nothign less than amazing, German decoders are noted for it, and the Loksound 3.5 steamers will creep tie to tie all day on step 1. The sounds all seem good, previewed through the computer speakers, so it all depends on the quality of the amp and speakers in the decoder. At least the source is good and clean - no mater how good the decoder is, if the source is bad, the end result will be bad.
Do you have some well installed Tsunami's(usually not OEM) to compare it with? Look forward to your review.
rrinker BTW another reliable eBay seller with plenty of stock of stuff - t-jprantle. I've ordered 3x from them, always gets here really fast enen though it has to cross the entire country to get here. They don;t always have the absolute best prices, sometimes Klein is 50 cents less on a $9 kit or something, but they DO have a full stock of things like Cal Scale, Detail Associates, and Details West parts. And plenty of Accurail kits. --Randy
BTW another reliable eBay seller with plenty of stock of stuff - t-jprantle. I've ordered 3x from them, always gets here really fast enen though it has to cross the entire country to get here. They don;t always have the absolute best prices, sometimes Klein is 50 cents less on a $9 kit or something, but they DO have a full stock of things like Cal Scale, Detail Associates, and Details West parts. And plenty of Accurail kits.
I've bought 4 or 5 items from the same seller and have been very happy with him, as well. Although I enjoy finding a deal, I'll pay a little extra knowing that I'm getting a good product from a reputable seller.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
But alas not my Lokprogrammer
So it looks nice. As do the two different speakers I got.
Kind of annoying, the Lokprogrammer is coming from about the same distance from my house as Kleins is. I ordered the decoder and speakers (and some other stuff...as usual) from Klein on the same day I also got the Lokprogrammer and also some other stuff that came from way out in Washington State (I'm in PA). Order from WA came today, and so did the stuff from Klein. But the Lokprogrammer is in a post office somewhere near Pittsburgh. Be here tomorrow I'm sure but no playing tomorrow night, it's family night.