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!

Horn Selection

1790 views
8 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Horn Selection
Posted by cowman on Thursday, July 24, 2014 10:25 PM

Since I have been dabbling with changing some of the values on my locos, I am venturing to change the horn sound.

Have a loco equipped with a QSI Titan-U decoder.  It lists 30 different horn sounds.  Under the CV column the horn is listed as 117.0.1 Value.   I have an NCE Power Cab, but cannot find reference as to how to deal with such numbers.  Other columns are listed as CV 50, CV 49 and CV 117.  I think I am far along enough to reset those, but am not sure of the number with decimals.  Also, CV 117 is one of ones I was using in another thread to deal with speed or is that only for NCE decoders? 

Any  help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Richard

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, July 25, 2014 5:49 AM

QSI uses an index system for its sound decoders.  To program an indexed CV, you need to set the indexed CV first, then the desired CV value.  The two index CVs are always CV49 and CV50.

So, to set CV117.0.1, you need to first set CV49=0, then CV50=1, then CV117=X.

X is the desired value for CV117 (i.e., 1 through 30).

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Friday, July 25, 2014 9:01 AM

Rich,

The mysteries of electronics continue and the value of the forums comes through again. 

Thank you for the explanation.  Now to find out which X is the best match from the group in the area.  Meanwhile I can have fun changing the sounds.

Thanks again,

Richard

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, July 25, 2014 11:46 AM

Richard,

Good luck.  Let us know how it turns out.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Friday, July 25, 2014 10:35 PM

Rich,

Have a querry out to find the type of horn used for my loco on my road, but no answer yet. 

Did try to change horns and was successful.  Found a couple of real "forget it" and a couple that I don't think are too bad.  Got through part of the list, will try more over time or until I find out what the most correct one is.

Went back a few pages in the instructions and found the description of how things are suppose to be done.  Wonder if I had started and read the whole thing first I'd have figured it out?  Read the instructions?????  Your description helped and when I read the book, it was a lot more meaningful after your reaponse, thank you.

Now there are some other things I hope to be able to change, we'll see how I do.

I can see one needs to keep a library of instructions, as each manufacturer is a little different.  I know there are some standard CV's assigned for certain functions, but there are so many things that the different decoders can do, it's mind boggling.

I'll try to rmeember to get back here, once I find the "right" sound.

Thanks again,

Richard

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Colorful Colorado
  • 8,639 posts
Posted by Texas Zepher on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 1:38 PM

cowman
Have a querry out to find the type of horn used for my loco on my road, but no answer yet. 

You might try just posting a picture of the horn here.  Some of the horns are pretty easy to identify on sight.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 5:21 PM

TZ,

Not sure the horn on the loco is the prototype. 

Went through the historical society web site and got a response through one of the members.  It was also suggested to go to the prototype locos manufacturers site and ask.

Yours is a good idea, as there are a  number of photos of the loco, but I haven't happened to look for photos that show a good view of the horn.

Thank you,

Richard

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 8:37 PM

What type of locomotive is it?  You might try posting a question in "Prototype Information for the Modeler" if you have not already.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 10:03 PM

BMMECNYC,

That's another good idea.  Hope other folks viewing this looking for ideas can use some of them.

I was looking for Rutland RS-3, have been told it was a Nathan P-3.  Though I moved and didn't get to hear the diesels as much as steam, that horn sound was one of the ones I thought was close, when I searched through the library of horns that is in my decoder.

Thanks for the suggestion,

Richard

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!