looking for information on this new decoder,particularly installations done in articulated steam locomotives,found a few excellent YouTube videos on them but unfortunately they were all on the non articulated type engines.
i have a number of articulateds that have Soundtrax Tsunami heavy steam decoders installed and am hoping to be able to hear a comparison of the two.
the WOW steam decoders seem to have a lot going for them as to whistle/bell selection plus the installed 'keep alive' capacitor.
one other unique thing is the operations lady explaining all the sound options ,lol
I have a WOWsteam decoder installed in a USRA Mikado. I am not at my layout right now but when I get a chance I will select one of the articulated modes (simple or compound?) and try it out.
I also have a Tsunami installed in an N&W Y-3 and I am very satisfied with it but, given the choice, I'll opt for the keep alive option form now on. I'm aware that this is becoming a popular feature and it can be added to many existing decoders.
I'll let you know after I have a chance to try it out.
Ed
Thanks Ed, i'll be watching...
I purchased the 1511 version of the TCS WOW sound and breadboarded it up today for a sound test. Interesting how this thing works and after I shut it off and unplug the DCC, the thing goes for about 20 seconds so the keep alive works very well on the test so far. I will be installing it in a week or so, but so far, so good.
The motor was connected, but not running when I shut off the power so a running locomotive would shorten the time if it was under load.
CZ
CAZEPHYRthe thing goes for about 20 seconds so the keep alive works very well
For the same reason I am amused every time I kill the power to my layout and that Mike sits there hissing with the air pumps thumping for about half a minute or so.
I still need to tweak the momentum settings since it takes "forever" to get the engine to stop. TCS expects you to use f7 as a brake but it takes me too long to find the button on the DT402!
I also bought some WOW v3 versions because I wanted a better articulated sound than others provide. I am happy with the wide choice of bells and whistles and the slow speed motor control. Also, it is pretty easy to synchronize the driver and chuff.
However, I found some peculiarities of the WOW I would recommend testing for yourself to verify. Running engines on a test stand, or just running the decoder on the bench makes them easier to hear.
At default settings, as the throttle is advanced in 128 step mode, you will hear the chuff sample switch at step eight to a new file. At step 18 or so, this file begins to switch with a second file at varying time intervals from maybe half a second to four-six seconds. Advancing the throttle further causes the addition of more samples in rotation. Because there is no fading in and out of the samples, this makes for abrupt shifts in sound I find odd and annoying. Fortunately, the rotation can be turned off by advancing the value of the "Proto-Chuff" threshold CV to 128.
The other thing is that the "Heavy" mode of chuff has start and run samples that don't match up properly and are too weak in volume above step 8. And if you attempt to raise their volume, the mismatch between the start sample and the running samples sounds progressively worse. I gave up on "Heavy" mode and get a much better match and overall sound with "Medium" mode.
I detailed these problems to TCS more than five months ago, and maybe a new rev has them fixed. But with the above adjustments, I have two articulateds that sound pretty good now, and about four more to do. I miss the spectrum and reverb control of the Tsunami, but it sounds too artificial with articulateds running more than about 20 mph, and I wasn't much happier with the Titan or Loksound files. IMO, WOW does articulateds better.
Hal
hdtvnut
Be great if you would post even a short video.
It is nice to know that the keep alive does help with older models of brass or plastic or die cast that do not have both sides of the locomotive or tender pick ups for power.
The programming of the WOW unit decoder leaves a lot to desire, but that is my thought and other may love it.
Sorry to necropost, but i pre ordered the 4014
From a dealer athearn shows delivery in nov sooo i figure feb 2016 lol so i have time to research & i want to add sound since its articulated, im leaning toward tcs but a nything else come on the market thats better or more realistic? ?
Still watching and hoping for a good video of the WOW Articulated decoder guys!
I put one in an old Life-Like/Proto (i.e. pre-Walthers) 0-8-0 switcher. The first batch of these didn't pick up power at all from the tender, and basically couldn't run more than a few inches without stalling, even on straight and level track. With the 'keep alive', it runs like a dream. I have several engines with Tsunamis, which are good, but I suspect any future steam engines I add sound to will get TCS WOWs.
I love them I have 16 and most are in older cheap Mantua , Rivarossi and Model Power
and they all run great The BEMF and Keep Alive Are great for Slow speed control
Here's #5 an old Rivarossi 0-6-0 tank side and #25 a 10$ model power
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KA6_SXTY2k
Here's a newer Rivarossi 0-8-0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y8wXWbYzLw
A 0-6-0 Rivarossi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV8pgf2NeMY
Another
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B58GaCmls9o
I Did install one in a Mantua Logger but have not yet shot a video of it with the articulated sound active
Will try tomorrow
Not only are they great decoders but the customer service is second to none
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
Shot a video this morning
A couple of Notes
1~There are other steamers ideling in the background with shoveling sounds ~Steam Blowdowns ~etc
2~This loco has a Shorting Problem see>http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/219947.aspx<
when crossing over turnouts the blind driver shorts out from to much side play The fix is to install KD felt washers on each axel This takes the excessive travel out of the trucks but
makes it a little jerky at slow speed
I'm hoping with some run time it will smooth out
This is only the second time it's been run
3~The video was shot with out a tripod and i am 71 and since my stroke i'm not as steady as i used to be
All that said Please Enjoy
https://www.youtube.com/edit?video_id=IlxAoRlOsIQ&video_referrer=watch
You can hear both in my video ,cheers .Jon.
https://youtu.be/C8CYtPpgosk