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Athearn SD60I Tsunami trouble

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  • Member since
    December 2011
  • 72 posts
Athearn SD60I Tsunami trouble
Posted by NSDash09 on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 6:51 PM

I was trying to set up manual notching on my Sd60I but I could not get it too work (multiple CV 8 -> 8, shouting, etc.) I tried CV 116 -> 16 per the manual for engine interlock but that didn't work. Also, F9 doesn't sound like radiator fans, it sounds like an air let off the sounds more like my J class when i stops than an EMD and F10 sounds like a coupler. According to the manual those functions should be F11, and F12. F11 and F12 don;t have functions currently as best I can tell. Do I have an early version tsunami that lacks these features and if I do can it be updated without a $100 programmer? Thanks.

  • Member since
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  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 7:44 PM

Did you cycle off the power to the rails after you pressed 'enter' to effect the reset?   It is a step missed amazingly often, and it is critical.  Digitrax DB150's automatically cut track power as part of their addressing process, which they urge the user to do using Paged Mode.  In Ops Mode, that doesn't happen, but then neither does one change addresses or do it to multiple addresses that way.

Do the CV8 = 8, cut power, cycle it back on, and try Address 03.  If that still fails, enter Ops, or programming on the main, acquire the address "00", and then do the CV8 change with that address active. 

Cycle the power to the rails, acquire address 03, and you should be fine.  If not, you have a defective decoder, assuming it is getting a DCC signal to it in the first place.

  • Member since
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Posted by BNSFRailWay Modeler on Thursday, December 20, 2012 7:55 AM
Like I said in the message give me a call..
Tyler
  • Member since
    December 2011
  • 72 posts
Posted by NSDash09 on Friday, December 21, 2012 1:01 PM

Perhaps I should clarify... the decoder works fine. I have full sound (no railmaster speakers so not the greatest but stock athearn at least), lights and motor. I also have gotten the reset and the address 03 to work. Currently it is programmed to NS 6724 (ex CRQ patch). According to the manual I got from athearn's website, F9 and F10 are supposed to be radiator fans and air compressor. Instead I have some sort of air let of and a coupler sound from those Functions and nothing from function F11, F12. It would appear that the software version on this tsunami is different and that could be interfering with the Manual notching. Can anyone confirm that built in Athearn Tsunami decoders follow different instructions (potentially older ones) and /or provide a way of updating the software on the tsunami I have. Otherwise I have a tsunami for sale if anyone wants it. I'll just buy a new Loksound decoder. 

  • Member since
    December 2012
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Posted by BNSFRailWay Modeler on Friday, December 21, 2012 1:13 PM
Yes they are different I can help you out but I'd rather talk to you look at your messages my number is on there
  • Member since
    November 2011
  • 111 posts
Posted by tallcapt on Friday, December 21, 2012 1:47 PM

Have you tried these two pieces of information from their website? The Factory Installed decoders are usually slightly different than the aftermarket ones.

From the Soundtraxx website: 

Is the decoder in my model a “Full Tsunami”?
All factory-installed locomotives contain custom decoders designed to meet the specifications set forth by their manufacturer. They contain the same software found in the Tsunami, including multiple whistles/ horns, industry-leading 16 bit digital sound, and many other great features. Some features may be limited by the manufacturer’s specification...

however...

also from the same area...

Athearn sound-equipped locomotives include all the amazing features found in all aftermarket Tsunami decoders, including the ability to set up manual notching

http://www.soundtraxx.com/factory/OEM%20pages/athearn/sd60_ho.pdf

http://www.soundtraxx.com/factory/OEM%20pages/athearn/athearn.php

Hope this helps. Sounds like to me a decoder reset and then a remap of functions to desired keys may fix your issues.

 

  • Member since
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  • From: City of Québec,Canada
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Posted by Jacktal on Friday, December 21, 2012 3:52 PM

Factory installed Tsunamis do lack a few fine tuning features but are otherwise just as good as the "aftermarket" Tsunamis and should program the same way.My feeling is that you have functions that need re-mapping to start with.

Normal mapping for Tsunamis are:

F9-CV43=8 and F10-CV44=32...these two CV's should re-activate manually controlled fan and compressor sounds...with automatic notching only.These two F's are used for increasing/decreasing prime mover sounds with manual notching.But do reset these CV's even if using manual notching.

Then F11-CV45=64 and F12-CV46=128...these two should activate both brake squeal and coupler sounds but you won't hear anything if loco isn't moving.If brake sqeal isn't heard when bringing throttle down,it may need automatic operation activated with CV198=8.

It's no surprise manual notching didn't work if F9 and F10 were set to other functions.It now should work by setting CV116=16.But now you have lost manual control of both fan and compressor so you'll need to set them to automatic operation by setting CV112=3...both fan and compressor will turn on and off randomly from now on,like the prototype.

Try these settings...it should work nicely,unless some other CV is also messed up.Keep us informed,I'd bet that together we can pull you out of your problems.

  • Member since
    December 2011
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Posted by NSDash09 on Sunday, December 23, 2012 4:09 PM

Did some more research and found this:

http://www.athearn.com/Content/PDF/SoundTraxx%20Quick%20Start%20Guide.pdf

this seems to indicate that, as I thought, I have no F11, F12 and that radiator fans are not F10, the coupler is. not sure if that means i do NOT have a full tsunami or what but that seems to make more sense. I may try and contact soundtraxx after Christmas although I am considering another loksound instead.

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