Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

ESU LokSound Select Micro Decoder Programming Problem

7495 views
15 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 913 posts
ESU LokSound Select Micro Decoder Programming Problem
Posted by gatrhumpy on Thursday, August 15, 2013 4:42 PM

First problem: Headlight flickers while standing still. I believe it's set for a firebox flicker, and I want to make it solid. How do I change it?

Second problem: I cannot increase the volume from the default setting using CV 63. It's set to 180. I want to increase it to 250, but everytime I program it to that value and cycle the power, it goes back to a value of 180.

I know I have to do something with CV32, but the way the manual reads, sometimes I have to set it to 1 to change the volume and to 2 when I want to change some other thing. Which value should be in CV32?

This decoder is the most unfriendly one yet to try to figure out how to program. The manual is no help whatsoever.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, August 15, 2013 4:56 PM

CV32 only applies to CVs over 256 - because some systems cannot directly access the higher CVs.

 

The max for CV63, master volume, is 192. That's why it keeps going back to 180, which is the default. Page 40 of the manual starts the list of all CVs and their default values, plus the allowable range for each one.

 

To make the headlight a headlight, you probably need CV32 = 0 and then set CV259 to 1, which from figure 15 on page 30 is standard dimmable headlight. If you want it to fade when it dimes, then set it to a value of 2.

CV262 will control the dimmed brightness, from 0-31, it the dimmer is enabled.

To get the value for CV263, which controls the phase for flashing lights, sets things for LEDs or incandescent bulbds, and enables the dimmers, you just add values. Yet another one fo those table things where to me it's a zillion times easier if they just show it in hex because the numbers look like rnadom gobbleygook but really they aren;t, they are bits int he value just liek CV29. So if you have an LED and want rule 17 dimming, the value likely should be 128 + 4 or 132.

Each section tells you what CV32 should be to index that group of settings.

              --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 913 posts
Posted by gatrhumpy on Thursday, August 15, 2013 5:09 PM

OK, so I fixed the headlight problem and made it constant. However, I want to increase the volume using CV 63. The default value, according to the manual is 180. I want to maximize the volume by setting CV63 to 255, but the manual does not say what the range is.

Every time I try to change CV 63 from 180 to 255, it does not take. I have tried changing it and resetting the system, and that does not work either.

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 913 posts
Posted by gatrhumpy on Thursday, August 15, 2013 5:10 PM

Dude, you simply rock.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Thursday, August 15, 2013 5:14 PM

Randy already told you the max for CV 63 is 192, so trying to set it to anything higher than that will result in it staying at 180.  

If you haven't downloaded the complete LokSound Select User Manual from their web site, it would be a good idea to do that.  Individual sound volumes are adjustable once you understand their indexed CV programming.

LokSound decoders seem very confusing because they support so many CVs compared to a Tsunami.  This is where the LokPRogrammer and software pays for itself if you have very many of them.  

Several manufacturers are beginning to use LokSound instead of Tsunami or QSI, so a LokProgrammer would be handy to have if you intend to purchase models with factory sound.

.

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 913 posts
Posted by gatrhumpy on Thursday, August 15, 2013 7:04 PM

This is my first LokSound, so I'm not sure if I'm going to get another.

I think the indexed programming is what's confusing me. I'm reading the manual now. I have headlight control, and eventually I'll be adding a firebox flicker in the cab.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, August 15, 2013 7:52 PM

It's not even really indexed programming, there's a group of CVs that control 3 sets of things, which of those 3 sets is active  is controlled simply by the value in CV32. There's pretty much nothing they can't do, way mopre options than Tsunami, yet none of that really complicated 3 CV indexing on the QSI.

Tsunamis have the same thing for the audio mixer and reverb settings, same CVs control different things based on the setting of an 'index' CV. You can;t get away from it, unless the low quality of an MRC sound decoder is good enough.

             --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Ontario Canada
  • 3,574 posts
Posted by Mark R. on Thursday, August 15, 2013 7:56 PM

Indexed programming is becoming common-place with sound decoders, only because todays sound decoders have the ability to do SO much, this is the only way to create enough "avenues" in order to adjust all the features.

Loksound, TCS WOW, and the new QSI sound decoders all require indexed programming, and I'm sure Tsunami will eventually be the same once they start to play catch-up.

Mark.

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 913 posts
Posted by gatrhumpy on Thursday, August 15, 2013 8:07 PM

I like the two MRCs I have. :(

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 913 posts
Posted by gatrhumpy on Thursday, August 15, 2013 8:43 PM

So if I hooked up an LED for a firebox flicker to the extra function wire 1 (not the headlight function, but the first extra function, I think the green wire from the decoder), what would be the process, and what CVs should I change?

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, August 15, 2013 9:02 PM

Green wire is Aux1 so that is CV275 for the mode (set to whatever the table says for firebox), CV278 for brightness level (don;t think you need to change that) and CV279 for the special function, sinc eit's an LED, at least 128, + whatever other options.

All with CV32 = 0

 

The default it to control the green and pruple with F6, if you want it on all the time I think you need to set CV266 to 5 and CV282 to 6, that makes the green wire come on with the headlight regardless of direction - plus the headlights till work. Figure 14 on page 26. Those are set with CV32 = 2.

           --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 913 posts
Posted by gatrhumpy on Friday, August 16, 2013 3:09 PM

LOL, I'm SLOWLY learning that.

I will make a video of the sound and firebox flicker that I made in the 2-6-6-2 later.

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 913 posts
Posted by gatrhumpy on Friday, August 16, 2013 3:34 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG2gvbGnIDg

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Friday, August 16, 2013 4:14 PM

I bought one and installed it in a brass 2-10-0 with a large speaker in the tender and loved it. So I bought 5 more (2 micros, 1 four aux, and 2 six aux) and have them in 3 other brass locos and 2 P2K 0-6-0 switchers. I picked up off E-bay a used lokprogrammer and downloaded the software from the ESU web site. The programmer make it a heck of a lot easier to change CVs and test the changes. Since I brought the first one to the club I have installed 7 more for club members. 2 steamers and 5 diesels. In my opinion these are the best sound decoders on the market right now and 30% less expensive than the Tsunami. Right now I have a Tsunami in a brass K4s pacific and hate how it runs. I can not get it to stop jump starting. Drives me crazy trying to spot it under the coal chute and it keeps giving my 1/87 scale passengers whip lash.

          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!

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!