Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

What ESU decoder model is installed in the Walther's Mainline Alco PA's?

2710 views
2 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2005
  • 1,047 posts
Posted by betamax on Sunday, October 24, 2021 11:22 PM

With the lastest version of DecoderPro installed, use New Loco/Read Type to identify an ESU decoder. They are all unique and this should identify it.

Use Read Full Sheet on the CV pane, repeat as needed to load all the CVs, and save any changes using Write Changes.

*** If using an NCE power pro it may lock up during reads. Turn it off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on, JMRI should pick up where it left off.

Using the latest version of JMRI/DecoderPro is very important, as new defintions for ESU decoders are being added all the time.

Tags: JMRI , ESU
Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Sunday, October 24, 2021 1:28 PM

OP,

Checking the Walther's website the new ones are ESU:

https://www.walthers.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=alco+pa

Most likely it's the "Essential" sound decoder with Alco PA sound files installed on it.  (Walthers installed the same decoder in their new SW7 switchers.)  The newest version of Decoder Pro (V4.2.4) should give you an option for "Essential Sound Unit".  You can also double-check with Walthers to make sure that that is correct.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • 27 posts
What ESU decoder model is installed in the Walther's Mainline Alco PA's?
Posted by Oregon Pacific on Sunday, October 24, 2021 1:02 PM

Sixty-four dollar question today folks!  Just received my set of Walther's Alco PA-PB-PA and am in the process of programming the lead unit using JMRI.  I ran the "read all" feature hoping that it would identify the decoder for me and I got a boatload of choices from ESU economy, 1.0 through 4.0.  Does anyone out there know exactly what decoder model is in these beasties?  Many thanks in advance and everyone be safe out there.  

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!