Is there another way to turn up volume on bachmann engines also will turning the volume up all the way harm speakers, someone told me it would.
the old train man Is there another way to turn up volume on bachmann engines also will turning the volume up all the way harm speakers, someone told me it would.
There is only one way. Follow the CV list with your DCC controller. The only issue will be distortion if too high a volume.
I have Bachmann locos with sound and some I installed sound myself.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
If your speakers and decoder are factory installed I doubt that the speaker could be harmed at max volume setting.
The CVs to adjust can be determined from the appropriate list for you loco. Note that if "SoundValue" Tsunami some of the CVs don't work but volumes will be workable.
The Bachmann site is a bit tough to find the right CV tables. The Quick Start guide does not list CVs. From the following page you can hopefully get the CV listing for your particular loco. And if you want to read about the CVs check out the Tsunami Steam and/or Diesel Users Guides and Technical References.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/factory/OEM_pages/bachmann/bachmann.php
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Thanks
Tsunami sound CVs...
Master volume=128 Horn=129 Bell=130 Diesel=131 Compressor=132
Dynamic brakes=133 Fans=134 All have 0(min) to 255(max) range.
Thanks Jacktal, I have Bachmann engines and I have tried cv resetting but its still lower in volume than my BLI or ATLAS engines.
Soundtraxx set CV128=192 (75%) as default value for Tsunami decoders,wich you should have when resetting so you should still have some room left.SoundValue decoders may differ though.
If tinkering CVs don't do it,you may have to lift the shell to check the speaker and/or installation (no enclosure for instance).
Jacktal, Thanks Ill try that.
the old train man Thanks Jacktal, I have Bachmann engines and I have tried cv resetting but its still lower in volume than my BLI or ATLAS engines.
From your comment I'm assuming that you can hear expected responses when you make changes to an individual sound (e.g., horn) as well as the master volume CVs. Of course the max volume requires both the individual item as well as the master volume CVs at max (255). But that also maximizes distortion. The usual practice is to set the master CV below max somewhat (say, 225) and next set an item like the horn to get the desired volume, then set the other (bell, etc) to work with that master volume setting.
On comparing the Bachmann's to others, some comments that may provide some perspective.
My experience with factory Tsumanis is in a Genesis GP9 plus 3 steamers, an Intermountain F3, and a Bachmann 2-6-0. Like you, I also have some BLI steam and diesel, but no Atlas factory sound.
My first loco was the Genesis GP9, and when I acquired other locos I became unenthused with the sound, especially the weak horn. The BLI diesels, for instance, were markedly better IMO. Of course the GP9 sound quality was a function of the Tsunami sound amplification, the horn sound file, the small oval speaker itself, and the speaker enclosure/shell effects. My bottom line on that one became making a big change; i.e., changing the decoder to a LokSound Select with EMD 567 sound file, and changing the oval speaker to dual sugarcube (iPhone type) speakers. The net result was a significant improvement.
On Athearn Genesis steamers, my 2013/2014 vintage 4-8-4, challenger and big boy all have Tsunami steam decoders and dual, relatively large, round speakers in the tender. The sound quality with that setup is well above the factory GP9. I assume (not sure) the Tsunami steam and diesel decoders have comparable sound amplification, so the differences remaining are the sound files (e.g., horn and whistle) and the speakers / installation. I'd guess the primary difference is the speaker size and installation, while the sound file quality differences are secondary.
My Bachmann 2-6-0 Sound Value has the reduced function Tsunami with factory speaker. It's ok, but not great. For comparison, I have two 2-8-0s that I converted to sound with Tsunami light steam, with a 1.1" HiBass speaker with enclosure. Those sound better, mostly (or, simply) because of the better speaker.
So you can expect differences in a manufacturer's locos; e.g., because of speaker differences if the decoders are the same. And as you observe, the differences between manufacturers are significant. I've done some conversions, and find the LokSounds very satisfying because the sound files are high quality and the files can be chosen for the engine type; e.g., and Alco 244 diesel. And folks seem to like the new TSU WowSounds. On speakers, they can make a huge difference with a given decoder, though space often is a limiting issue. I found the Genesis GP9 small oval the least effective (though a common approach to narrow hood diesels), 2-4 sugarcubes more effective (though distortion can be a limiting factor on the horn sound), and 1-2 1.1" HiBass speakers the definite winner, though these need the width of an F (one per loco) or E unit (two) or a tender (one or two depending on room).
I hope these observations are of interest.
Great in depth reply Paul, nice to know,I might even try putting a better decoder in to replace the Installed ones in my ho engines. Now if I can figure out how to do that with my n scale engines with the same problem. May God Bless.
No Bachmann sound value has a compressor. Steam version only. Early cv list gave a default value for all of them ,but was a misprint. Was not happy with that buying first runs.