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Advice sought on programming ESU Loksound Select Micro steam decoder

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  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Klamath Falls, Oregon
  • 274 posts
Advice sought on programming ESU Loksound Select Micro steam decoder
Posted by oregon shay on Sunday, April 7, 2013 6:01 PM

Looking for help in understanding the programming process for the above named decoder.  A little background might help.  It is installed in a new,  just purchased Mantua Classics 2-6-6-2t DCC ready HO scale loco(the decoder is also new, purchased from Tony's Train Exchange, who was to program the decoder for "steam" before it shipped to me).  My DCC system is a Digitrax Super Chief Extra.  I have done numerous Digitrax and Tsunami decoder installs, so I'm "learning a new language" with ESU products.  I'm led to believe from the online manual that the chuff should sound by default, right from the box, and can be adjusted to sync with the drivers by adjusting CV's 57 and 58, or by means of a user-installed cam.  Reference ESU decoder manual section 5.2.7.9. There is no cam installed, and I have not adjusted these CVs yet. There is no chuff sound when the loco moves along the track.  Am I missing a programming step, and need to enable the chuff function?  Also, I noticed when setting other CVs like the whistle, that the loco doesn't give the familiar jerk when I select enter on my DT402 Digitrax throttle, and I have to cycle the power to have the change take effect.  Any insight would be appreciated.

Wilton.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,879 posts
Posted by maxman on Sunday, April 7, 2013 6:55 PM

Best answer I can come with if you don't get a solution here is to join the Yahoo Loksound group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/loksound/.  I have found them to be very helpful, especially when the stuff in the on-line manual is not the latest and greatest information.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Sunday, April 7, 2013 7:00 PM

Loksound decoders require that you press F8 to turn the chuff sound (or diesel motor sound) on when they  are started up.

I have installed 10 or so LokSound Select decoders and one V4, and none of them pulse the motor when a CV is changed like some of the other brands of decoders, so the lack of the loco surging is not indicative of a problem.

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Klamath Falls, Oregon
  • 274 posts
Posted by oregon shay on Monday, April 8, 2013 2:07 PM

Thanks for the replies, guys.  F8 was the fix for the silent chuff.  Definitely a learning curve with the ESUs;  I'll look to the ESU forum on Yahoo.

Wilton.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Monday, April 8, 2013 4:29 PM

Wilton.

  Download the manual and flip through it. I have 5 of the Select sound decoders in steam versions. By default the sound does not come on on power up. This can be changed using an indexed CV. First set CV32 =2 then CV403 = 32. Cycle the power once and the steam sounds will be on at power up. This is on page 39 of the manual.

       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!

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Klamath Falls, Oregon
  • 274 posts
Posted by oregon shay on Monday, April 8, 2013 6:05 PM

Thanks, Pete.

When I did my first read through of the manual, I guess I skipped-over that section because it's under the heading "Firmware Update", and I wasn't ready to tackle that just yet, when I was digesting all the other CVs.  My previous experience with the "silent" prime mover mode is with an Athearn GP-7 with a Tsunami sound decoder installed, that starts up the prime mover when the throttle is initially advanced and then backed-off to zero.  Pretty cool designs by both ESU and Soundtraxx.  Thanks for your help.

Wilton.

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