Intermountain F7 Sound question

[cscannon222]

I recently purchased 2 Intermountain F7As and 1 F7B unit, all with Loksound.  I am currently DC but am planning on going DCC.  When I first put each unit on the track and applied DC power the sound came on.  After a few seconds the sound fadded out and turned off.  After that, no sound.  They run fine, just no sound.  Is the sound supposed to work in DC mode, or will it only work in DCC?  

I have several other dual mode locomotives that the sound works in DC mode.  I have no control over the sound, but it works.

I just want to make sure these locomotives are not defective and I am not doing anything that may damage them.

 

Thanks 

 

Chris

 

[zstripe]

Chris,

I suspect that Your DC power pack does not have enough output to run the dual mode decoder. Should have a ESU LokSound decoder which requires more output at start up, once startup sound goes on further voltage to move loco requires to take away from the sound. I run Intermountain locos on DC non sound, non consisted, they run fine. I also run Athearn BB, Walthers Proto and Intermountain consisted....but I installed a 21 pin DC jumper in the Intermountain F3B so now they all start and run at the same voltage. I am using MRC CM20's though... so they have enough power.

I also run BLI's with sound on DC, without a problem...but I don't care for the sound and don't consist them either. 

I could be wrong about the power though....I would give them a call and ask:

http://www.intermountain-railway.com/

Good Luck! 

Frank

[richhotrain]

The brand of locomotive has nothing to do with it. It is all about the decoder and your analog DC power supply.

In the Loksound manual, it is noted that the locomotive will start moving on a DC track at about 8 to 9 volts, so you need to turn up your DC throttle to a much higher voltage than usual.

The manual goes on to note that you can adjust the starting voltage and the maximum voltage in DC analog mode using CV125 (starting voltage) and CV126 (maximum voltage). 

Rich

[zstripe]

richhotrain

The brand of locomotive has nothing to do with it.

Not all DCC locos with sound come with the same brand decoder though! So they will not all work the same on DC. He also is saying the sound stops.

My Intermountain DCC motor decoder starts moving at 3 1/2 to 4 volts..Walthers Proto, starts at 1 volt...Athearn BB, starts at 1 1/2 volts, all tested with a Fluke meter. I put a jumper plug in the Intermountain so they would run in consist...they are ABBA ATSF's. The Intermountain is a powered B unit.

Works for Me!

You said You wanted some B units..Have You checked Intermountain? They have them and more soon....

Take Care! 

Frank

[richhotrain]

zstripe

 

       

          richhotrain

The brand of locomotive has nothing to do with it.

Not all DCC locos with sound come with the same brand decoder though! So they will not all work the same on DC. 

 

Frank, I agree with you, but I was specifically commenting on Loksound which is the decoder that he cited in his post.

Rich

[rrinker]

There's no (current, or past, anyway) sound decoder that will start at 1V. The motor might turn, but there will not be any sound. The sound chip needs more voltage to run. Some are configured to also not turn the motor until there is enough voltage for the sound, so you don't have a silent running loco when you paid for a sound one, but this ends up putting all the speed control in the last few degrees of throttle movement - slight amount of turning the knob goes from creeping to top speed. That's why I am surprised as how many people run sound on DC. The control is far from satisfactory, and it will never match up to an ordinary DC loco which will be going plenty fast by the time the sounds start up on the sound loco.

                         --Randy

 

[cscannon222]

I tried both MRC Tech II 2400 and Tech II 2500.  Both of these have worked well with my BLI, MTH, and Atlas dual mode DCC sound locomotives.  As stated above, with these locomotives the sound comes on first, then farther in the throttle travel the locomotive starts moving.  I have been able to get acceptable speed and control of my BLI, MTH, and Atlas locomotives with these controllers.

 

The very first time I put the IM F7’s on the track and attempted to run them, the sound came on as I advanced the throttle.  As I got near to the point where they started to move, the sound faded away then they started moving.  Ever since they have been silent, but move at the same higher voltage levels, just like my other DCC sound locomotives.  I am able to get acceptable speed, just no sound. 

I mainly want to make sure I am not doing them any damage running them on DC power.  My goals are to get a Digitrax Zephyr Xtra within the next 12 to 18 months depending on funds. 

 

Chris

[hobo9941]

Do you know anyone with a DCC system, where you could test them on DCC? Or maybe a LHS?

[cscannon222]

No hobby shop local that I can test it on. There is one gentlemen in my county that I've meet that has DCC. Next time he invites me over I will ask if I can test them on his layout. Chris