Athearn Genesis GP7/GP9 Auto Start.

[BRUCE ELLEFRITZ]

When I got back into model RR a little over a year ago and getting into DCC right away, I've been very happy I went the booster and JMRI route. The level of control is amazing, especially fine tuning of speeds for a consist.  I tried Tsunamis early because all the club oldtimers recommending them. But with a DCS-200 and DT-402 I couldn't even change loco address on the main or a programming track.

In other words, highly recommended.

Bruce

[PennCentral99]

Roger,

I feel your pain. My Zephyr Xtra took several vacations in Florida. The overload/circuit protection failed and I would get the scrolling 0000 across the screen but hasn't occured since the last trip (over a year). Even with these failures, I still stand by my digitrax command station.

Like you, I only had a command station. I also read these forums and watch videos to learn about DCC (installing, programming, fine tuning) and usually do "trial by error". I had the same annoyance with the sound and called digitrax and soundtraxx. They explained about the feature but also stated you could only do shut-down thru a handheld. After saving my pennies, I finally got a DT402 (and 2 UP5). WOW! seems like I have even more power and features in the palm of my hand and can "silent" my locos.

I have 6 DCC locos on my layout all the time. The only ones that make sound are the ones that are moving, the others just sit and wait their turn. I have another 7 locos I would like to upgrade to DCC.

I still don't have a booster and don't have any issues changing CV's. However, someday I will get a PR3 (interphase between computer and command station) and use JMRI. I'm not an expert and still have plenty to learn about DCC. My next trick will be speed matching and consisting......

Terry

[Bevrog]

Hi Penncentral/99

 

Thanks for your info. These problems are 4 months old and due to various reasons just now getting solved. One reason was 2 trips to Digitrax to repair the Zephyr.  Sound issue has been solved by changing CV113. My thank you was to Rich for his suggestion several months ago.  

 

As to the issue of movement that was solved by Digitrax, after 2 trips to Florida, with the finding of a loose connection in the Zephyr. All engines now running perfectly. 

 

As to changing CV's, the only ones I had ever attempted to change had to do with engine addresses. The Zephyr would not work for me. Then I was told about "Blast Mode"  and after several failed attempts I got the addresses to change. During that time I was also told that to work with CV's on Tsunami decoders I would need the PTB-100. Yesterday was really my first attempt to use it and it worked as advertised, changing CV's.  

 

So Thanks again for your info as I have much to learn in DCC and it helps to know there are people who will take the time to help. 

Roger 

 

[PennCentral99]

jrbernier

 The DCS50/51 'program track' output is low power and may not be able to program Tsunami or QSI sound decoders.  How-ever, you should be able to program CV113 'on the main'(full power) with no problems.  This issue happens on many DCC systems.

Jim

If the OP "having never changed a CV" how would he know if he needed a booster? I don't have a separate booster and do 99% of my programming on the main using ops mode and have never had a problem programming CV's, especially since getting a DT402 which displays "good" when completed. I've had an inconvienence with programming addresses where I've had to put the DSC 51 in "blast" mode in order for the Tsunami to accept, but never a problem.

Yes, it can be a little frustrating for a new user, but once familiar with tsunami's, programming is as easy as 1-2-3. Some day I'll graduate to a PR3 and JMRI 

Terry

[rrinker]

Never had an issue with mine. It's nt a powr issue with the Zephyr/Zephyr Xtra - it's the speed at which it attempts to set CV29 after changing the address to a long address. Programming single CVs - never a problem. The address issue went away as soon as I got a DT40x throttle and used it to do programming.

There's no e-stop function on he Zephyr console, because the track power button is right there. Yet another reason I dislike Tsunamis - all the other brands use F8 an/or F6 to shut them off, the E-stop button is suposed to be jst that - E-stop. On Digitrax throttles it can be set two ways, either e-stop just your selected loco or e-stop the entire layout. It's not spposed to be used to silence a sound loco!

Maybe in their next decoder, Soundtraxx will fix this and the other glaring flaw - no support for CV5 and CV6, top and mid speed.

                      --Randy

[jrbernier]

PennCentral99

one more question, what does a power booster have to do with programming CV's? Your dsc50 should be able to do this

  The DCS50/51 'program track' output is low power and may not be able to program Tsunami or QSI sound decoders.  How-ever, you should be able to program CV113 'on the main'(full power) with no problems.  This issue happens on many DCC systems.

Jim

[PennCentral99]

ok, everyone jumped on the sound issue but no one has addressed the "not respond to movement commands". Are you saying it won't go forward or reverse? If not, try resetting the decoder.

anyway, the zephyr cannot perform start up or shut down commands on sound decoders. A handheld (DT 402) will do this using the emergency stop button and remain silent until called upon. Also, the "Have always been told these engine should not be left to idle away an operating session due to heat build up" is yet another myth regarding dcc. one of the concepts behind dcc is to be able to leave locos on the track or not need power districts to run locos. You gonna remove all your locos each time you want to run one?

one more question, what does a power booster have to do with programming CV's? Your dsc50 should be able to do this

EDIT: Aftre posting, realized this thread was from many moons ago. So, hope you got it resolved by now

[richhotrain]

Roger, glad that worked for you.

Like you, I was frustrated with that sound coming on every time that I powered up, and every time the booster reset after a short.

CV113 did the trick.

Rich

[Bevrog]

Rich:  AS you can tell has been some time since I raised the above question. Many reasons not the least being frustration with DCC in general. It is great when it works and I am happy to say that tonight it does work thanks to you reply above. Most people referred to CV116 and even Tsunami told me to change that CV. It never worked for me and today I got back to trying again, but this time using CV113. Poof, problem solved. Just wanted to let you know and to say thank you for your help.

Roger West

[Bevrog]

Above should have been CV 113 and CV 116.  Thanks  again.   Roger 

[Bevrog]

Thanks for the help. As soon as I get my power booster for my DSC50 I will check out the CV 113.  Roger 

[Jacktal]

Removing 32 from CV 116 should indeed correct this.The loco's engine sound starts at the first click of the throttle and "Em. Stop" button shuts it off.BTW,the DCS 51 doesn't have this control...strange.

[crashjr]

I thought you could subtract 32 from cv116 which I thought was set at 39 from the factory.

[richhotrain]

CV113 is the problem.  I had the same issue.  Check out this thread of mine.

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/204338.aspx

Rich

[Bevrog]

The engine sound will start up as soon as power is put to the track regardless of what engine number the comand station is showing. It will not however respond to any movement comands. It appears this is an engine auto start as described in the Tsunami Diesel Sound User's Guide on page 45 and is controlled by CV 116. Having never changed a CV, and using a Digitrax DCS50 to do so, can I eliminate this auto start by maybe changing the CV to something between 0 and 8.

Have always been told these engine should not be left to idle away an operating session due to heat build up.

Thanks for any responses.