What CV (s) to Have All Locos on Layout Silent on Power Up?

[Capt. Grimek]

I know I've seen this here somewhere but can't find it again...

What CV setting(s) do I need to use to keep locos on the layout silent when powering up the comand station/ track?

Do some decoders not allow this? Is it universal from brand to brand?

I have a Digitrax Super Chief. Decoders vary from Tsunami to QSI to Soundtraxx and Paragon 2...  Can't find the CVs in the digitrax manuals...

Our bedroom is on the other side of the wall and my wife asked me to ask...

Thanks! Jim

[retsignalmtr]

Don't know if there is a CV for that but I do mute the sound equiped locos so the sound will only come on when I want it to.  Function 8 mutes the sound and the sound stays off even during power up.

[Capt. Grimek]

Thanks. CV 8 mutes my locos but once the layout is re-poweed up all/most locos start making sounds. Diesels idle, steam pumps pump, etc.  I can re-mute them using function key 8 but they'll sound again once I shut down and power up.

Jim

[hon30critter]

This doesn't solve your problem but for what its worth, if I am correct, Loksound decoders are preset to be silent when you power up the layout. You have to hit F8 to activate the sounds.

I say "if I am correct" because I have made a couple of incorrect posts recently about Loksound decoders so I am a little paranoid about getting things wrong.

Dave

[richhotrain]

That should not be happening, all locos sounding off at power up.

I never have that happen on the QSI sound decoders.

That used to happen to me only on two Athearn Genesis diesela with Tsunami sound.

There is a CV adjustment to stop the Tsunami sound decoders from sounding off at start up.

Rich

[MisterBeasley]

This may or may not be DCC system specific, but it does depend on which brand and probably model of decoder is in any particular engine.  I have a Lenz DCC system.  F8 will mute any locomotive, but that must be done individually for each one.  If my system shuts down, either due to a short, a throttle command or a power off, F8 will still be set on the throttle but the decoders won't recognize it until it's manually set again, so they all come to life.

My Digitrax sound-only decoders will not speak up until the engine is addressed and given a throttle command.

My reading of the Tsunami manual (you've got to go online for it) is that CV113 will give you Quiet Mode, but you must remember to mute the sound before you start the engine.  I've never tried that.

I usually use the full shutdown feature on my QSI engines.  This keeps them quiet (and prevents them from even running) until I press F6 to start them up again.

But, mostly I rely on the doing it the old fashioned way.  My roundhouse stall tracks and storage/staging tracks are all isolated and have their power routed through control panel toggles.  When not in use, an engine is typically run to one of these tracks and the power is shut off.  This not only saves on precious DCC amps, but also quiets the motor sounds until I want that engine again.

[mobilman44]

Hi,

You already got the primary answer (F8), and that worked for me except on one consist (P2k F7 ABBA - all powered, all sound).  Upon power up, that consist would make a series of start up sounds, and then remain silent.  I never could figure out why, and gave up on the minor issue.

One thing I did do that made life a bit easier is to install power on/off switches to the loco terminals and staging tracks.  This made it simple to shut off all the noise, but more importantly, to assure that no locos would creep into harms way.

Yup, that happened a couple of times............... before the cut off switches.

[cacole]

Each brand of decoder has a different method of setting whether sound comes on with powerup or not, by setting a particular CV; and is not related to the brand of DCC system you're using.

[maxman]

cacole

Each brand of decoder has a different method of setting whether sound comes on with powerup or not, by setting a particular CV

I believe that this is a correct statement.  In addition, F8 is not the answer either.  In most cases F8 is a muting function.  Unfortunately, finding what is the right CV may take some searching through the decoder documentation.

If you happen to have a Tsunami decoder, I think that CV might be CV 113, which they call Quiet Mode Timeout Period.  See page 65 of the diesel technical reference manual, http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals/tsunami_diesel_technical_reference_0213.pdf

According to the manual, if CV113 is set to any value other than zero the sounds will not start until the loco is addressed.  In addition, when the loco is stopped and all the functions have been turned off, the loco will go silent after a period of time as determined by the value set in the CV.

I'm pretty certain that Locsound decoders also have a CV that you can set for either sound on power up or sound when loco is addressed, but you would have to search the manual for that decoder.

[rrinker]

 ANother reason I like standardizing on one kind of decoder. Unless a specific OEM programs them differently, Loksounds are silent until you press F8 to start them up - so you 'board' your loco (select teh address) then run through the startup (hit F8) and then start driving it. When done, hit F8, it does the shutdown sequence, and goes silent.

 QSI sort of does the same, but uses different functions, and multiple presses of said function as well.

 The most annoying thing about default Tsunami settings is, the loco moves before the sounds start, unless you have a crappy loco that needs to be turned past step 20 to start moving.

 None of this is system-dependent, it's all configured in each decoder. Doesn;t matter if you use Digitrax, NCE, or Lenz.

                 --Randy

[Capt. Grimek]

Ok, thanks guys. I figured it was decoder brand dependant rather than system dependant but hoped there was another way or workaround.

I guess the workaround will have to be my roundhouse tracks for now and keep other locos off the track but alongside their operations based parked positions (in other yards, etc.) at least at night when my wife is sleeping. That'll work for now.

I'll start going through ea. manufacturer's decoder documentation and see what else can be done. I guess, I'll look into toggle powering/de-powering some of the other  yard tracks or at least their "switching pockets", etc. 

Greatly appreciate the help as always.

Jim

[Jacktal]

Tsunami diesel...

CV116=7...diesel sounds will remain quiet at power on.Adressing the loco and turning the throttle to step 1 will activate engine sound.To turn off,bring back throttle to step 0 and press EM.STOP. on your controller if available or turn everything off on the loco (other sounds,lights,etc) and let CV113 turn the diesel sounds off after a preset elapsed time.(EX:CV113=120 or 30 seconds.)

 

[wjstix]

 I believe QSI decoders come set to not make sound until addressed by the DCC system. At least all the engines I have with QSI seem to do that - unless I set a CV a long time ago and forgot doing it. Digitrax and Soundtraxx decoders can be set to not make sound until the engine is addressed via CV(s).

[retsignalmtr]

I don't know about that. All the locos I have with QSI decoders start making sounds at power up, unless I previously muted them with function button 8.

[cacole]

With LokSound, it's CV 403.  Set CV 32=2, 403=16 and the sound will not come on until you press F8.

All LokSound decoders are supposed to be set this way as their default, but an Intermountain U30C purchased recently had the decoder set so the sound came on as soon as power was applied.  Resetting CV 403 corrected the problem.

 

 

[Iansa]

AS far as I know QSI decoders are silenced by dialing address then double pressing 9 button 3 times.

EG double press 9 the loco will give a air release, double press 9 again, wait for air release then double press 9 a 3rd time.

This will silence decoder and render loco unoperable.

To bring loco back on line and sound double press 6 button which sometimes may have to be done a second time.

If you RTFM  you will find QSI's have 3 stages of shut down hence each double press of 9 puts loco into diffent stage of shut down.

Cheer

Ian

[Guy Papillon]

For Paragon2 locomotives Cv133 is the Sound Unit Master Volume. It can be set from 0 to 128.  

I didn't try it myself but I assume that if it is set near 0, it will be quite silent.

For Loksound Select, Cv 63 is the Sound Master Volume (0 to 192)

Edit

Sorry. I assumed the wife wanted them to be silent at night.