As much as I enjoy sound locos, sometimes it can be annoying especially when I go on the layout after the kids go to sleep.
When I turn on my Zephyr, two locos in particular start their sound sequence automatically but other sound locos that I have will not start their sound start-up unless I call their address.
How can I program these two locos to stay quiet when the DCC system turns on or resets after a short circuit.
Thanks
You did not identify the locomotives and what decoder they have in them.
If the locomotives are Bachmann Sound Value equipped, they cannot be programmed to do what you want.
RR Baron
Funny you say that, one locomotive is a Bachmann 2-6-0 DCC sound value on board and the other is a Walthers F40 that has a Tsunami sound decoder that was installed by the previous owner, however I’m not certain which model of a Tsunami decoder? I bought the loco used from eBay.
Walthers F40 - What is value in CV7 and CV8?
The after market installed decoder is most likely a true Tsunami so these settings should work:
CV113=120 Being a non-zero value,sounds become active only when the decoder is adressed.Then 120 means that sounds will automatically turn off 30 seconds after all manual features (throttle,lights and sounds) have been turned off.Any function (lights or else) remaining "on" will keep the prime mover idling indefinitely.I like 30 seconds but can be made shorter or longer to suit one's taste.
CV116=7 The prime mover starts up at speed step 1 then cranks up a notch every seven clicks of the throttle control.
Manual notching is also available with Tsunamis while the Sound Value decoders (erroneously called Tsunamis) miss some if not all these settings.
A different case for your Sound Value equipped steamer...CV116 controls chuff rate and doesn't apply here.
As noted, my Bachmann Sound Value 2-6-0 had that issue and was a pain as I turned on layout power. I took the $80 solution and changed the decoder.
I do wonder if the latest Sound Value locos still lack the adjustment feature I desired. Why Bachmann would not get Soundtraxx to change that escapes me. I would only buy one if I planned to spend the $ on a new decoder. That's an opinion, of course, not right or wrong.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Thank you for the responses, I was able to get that tsunami decoder programed, I changed CV 113 to a value of 60 and the sound no longer starts up when I turn the Zephyr on. However I did have to program in blast mode .
Is it possible to call the locomotive up with its address, have the start up sequence begin and then run it? Because, currently the sound will only begin when I move the throttle, unfortunately it quickly skips the start up sequence and it goes straight to the running sounds due to locomotive moving forward.
Nope, your choices with Tsunami are startt on power on, or start on step 1. Just one of the factors that made me decide not to use Tsunami decoders.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
In automatic throttle mode...no.What you're asking for is manual notching wich many modelers don't like but your last reply tells me you may like it.Up to you to try and decide.Manual notching is more prototypical but also a little more involving.
Leave CV113 as is.Then give CV116 a value of 16,it will activate manual notching wich means:
-Pressing F9 will trigger the prime mover's startup sequence.Once the diesel is running,every F9 will increase diesel sounds one notch up to notch 8 if desired.
-Interlock is activated so that loco will not move until the startup sequence is completed
-Then pressing F10 will decrease diesel sounds one notch at a time.Notch 0 will trigger diesel shut down after wich the loco will be dead (no move) but all other sounds and lights remain active.
If you decide that you like manual notching and decide to keep it,you'll eventually notice that you lost control of the air compressor and radiator fans sounds.You can make them automatic random operation by giving CV112 a value of 3.
Another choice that I took was I park my engines in the enginehoue, roundhouse, garden tracks or the servicing track when I'm not running them. I cut gaps in the track to isolate areas like the servicing tracks. One lead to the tracks is fitted with a red pushbutton SPST switch that is normally open. When you need to move in-out of the track you press the button allowing that track to be powered. Otherwise it's dead all the time so you don't have to listen to the engine idling sounds. It also saves time on the decoder if that's a concern. A sidelight is it can prevent trips into the turntable pit if someone accidentally selects that engine.
I think it beats having to deal with CV changes, etc.
oldline1
oldline1 Another choice that I took was I park my engines in the enginehoue, roundhouse, garden tracks or the servicing track when I'm not running them. I cut gaps in the track to isolate areas like the servicing tracks. One lead to the tracks is fitted with a red pushbutton SPST switch that is normally open. When you need to move in-out of the track you press the button allowing that track to be powered. Otherwise it's dead all the time so you don't have to listen to the engine idling sounds. It also saves time on the decoder if that's a concern. A sidelight is it can prevent trips into the turntable pit if someone accidentally selects that engine. I think it beats having to deal with CV changes, etc. oldline1
I was originally thinking of using a switch instead of pushbutton, but a non-latching pushbutton sounds like a better idea.
I dont know if decoder time is a thing, but bulb life is (until recently athearn offerings came with bulbs still, SD60E is going to have LED..).
Seems ideal to shut off power to locomotive storage tracks to prevent "accidents".
BMMECNYCSeems ideal to shut off power to locomotive storage tracks to prevent "accidents".
I used the pushbutton method on my last layout and it's going in on my new layout. My workbench was (and will be) under the engine terminal area and working there got to be noisy with about 7 steamers popping off, aircompressors thumping and all that just over my head.
I had a friend that had a visitor put one of his engines in the pit when assigning numbers to the throttle. He put in 101 rather than 110 and while waiting for his engine to move the other on came out of the roundhouse and dropping in. Embarrasing for him and not good for his nicely painted 4-6-0.
I have heard some folks talk about time on the decoder but I think you're right that bulb time is probably a bigger concern and reason to kill the engine completely.
I don't mind having the F40 with the Tsunami decoder responding to speed step 1 for sound, it's definitely my not my first choice. However, for the Bachmann sound value 2-6-0, I like the idea mentioned by oldline1, I'll have a specific track near the roundhouse in which I can power the track on and off with a SPST switch.
Please forgive me if my thought process is wrong, as my DCC knowledge is in middle of newbie and knowledgeable. I have a good understanding of the basics. Anyways here is my idea for the F40 with the Tsunami decoder, Randy mentioned the sound would not start until speed step one, so in theory couldn't I program speed step one on JMRI for no movement, and maybe the loco won't begin moving until speed step 5-10 or so for example. That way I could move the throttle a tiny bit to get the start up sound, and then turn the throttle more to get the loco to move?
Try manual notching (see my earlier post),I believe you'd like it.If you don't,resetting CV116=7 only takes a minute.I've set both my SDs with manual notching and love it,but that's me...
gpharo Please forgive me if my thought process is wrong, as my DCC knowledge is in middle of newbie and knowledgeable. I have a good understanding of the basics. Anyways here is my idea for the F40 with the Tsunami decoder, Randy mentioned the sound would not start until speed step one, so in theory couldn't I program speed step one on JMRI for no movement, and maybe the loco won't begin moving until speed step 5-10 or so for example. That way I could move the throttle a tiny bit to get the start up sound, and then turn the throttle more to get the loco to move?
Yoou can, but then yoou need to use a speed table to do this. JMRI or no JMRI, I'm not a fan of going through all that to configure speed tables. On any of my locos that need some adjustment, the 3 step table using CV2 (start), CV6(mid) and CV5 (top) speed are enough - also another reason I'm not a Tsunami fan, no CV6 mid speed CV. If you don;t use a speed table, you can;t guarantee the loco won;t move on step 1 - the one and only Tsunami I had did exactly this, like most all of my locos it would creep at step 1, so I would have a loco moving down the track while the prime mover cranked up and started. Yuck.
If you've been here a while you know I really like Loksound. All of my sound locos are Loksound, except one Atlas Trainmaster (but QSI has start and stop on a function as well). None of them make a peep until I hit F8 to start them up. Once parked back in the terminal, F8 shuts them down and they go quiet.
We do have power cutoff on the storage tracks of the club layout, because some people still haven't figured out how to put their loco address in correctly, and they may be all the way at the other end of the layout 150 feet away and just keep turning the knob when their train doesn't go, meanwhile if not for the power being turned off, some's train at the opposite end would have run through a few switches, dumping cars all over and fouling the main where it would get smacked by the next train coming along, potentially damaging two other members' equipment. So the rule is, when parking your train, make sire to line the switches back to the main, and hit the power toggle for the track you are on.
Jacktal I tried manual notching, even though it worked like you said, it was not my preferred choice, I do prefer automatic notching. However thank you for the suggestion.
I practiced moving the throttle slowly to a certain point in which the start up sequence would start but the locomotive would not move or if so just barely. Then I quickly move the throttle back to zero and wait for that start up sequence to finish then run my locomotive. Not ideal, but it will have to do for my Tsunami locomotives. But at least it works.
3 out of my 7 sound locomotive have Tsunami decoders, I'll have to use this method for them. At least my Rapido and Broadway Limited locos do not have this problem.
Great!!! I just wanted to let you know what your options were and you made a choice.You're happy then I'm happy.Enjoy your loco.
gpharo Randy mentioned the sound would not start until speed step one, so in theory couldn't I program speed step one on JMRI for no movement, and maybe the loco won't begin moving until speed step 5-10 or so for example. That way I could move the throttle a tiny bit to get the start up sound, and then turn the throttle more to get the loco to move?
Randy mentioned the sound would not start until speed step one, so in theory couldn't I program speed step one on JMRI for no movement, and maybe the loco won't begin moving until speed step 5-10 or so for example. That way I could move the throttle a tiny bit to get the start up sound, and then turn the throttle more to get the loco to move?
Rather than adjust the speed tables etc., I like to set CV3 - starting momentum to a moderately high number. That means I can do as you say, give the throttle a quick flick up and down to start the engine sounds, but without the engine moving. I think setting the momentum a bit high makes the overall sound more realistic, as when you do want the engine to move, you hear the diesel sounds revving up before the engine actually starts to move.