Just installed a Soundtraxx Tsunami sound decoder in my IHC 2-10-2. I don't have a DCC system(yet) but Soundtraxx says the decoder works in DC. When I give it power it doesn't move and the headlight doesn't come on but the sound works and there is no blue smoke. I wired it correctly as the instructions say. Is this normal and is there any way to operate the engine in DC?
If this was a simple matter of plugging the decoder into the 8-pin socket in the tender, it sounds like CV29 has not been set to allow DC operation; and without a DCC system it can't be changed.
You probably need to find a hobby shop or model railroader in your vicinity who has a DCC system so they can troubleshoot the problem.
One thing you could try, in the meantime, is to turn the plug around and see if it runs. The 8-pin plugs are polarized and some functions won't work if they are reversed.
If you performed a "hard wire" installation, something is not connected correctly.
Analog operation may be turned off in either CV29 and/or CV12.
Try giving CV29 a value of 38 (or 54 if using the speed table),either value should work for you.Then CV12=1
Sorry,forgot you don't have DCC.....
wleberk Just installed a Soundtraxx Tsunami sound decoder in my IHC 2-10-2. I don't have a DCC system(yet) but Soundtraxx says the decoder works in DC. When I give it power it doesn't move and the headlight doesn't come on but the sound works and there is no blue smoke. I wired it correctly as the instructions say. Is this normal and is there any way to operate the engine in DC?
SOP. Standard Operating Procedure with a Tsunami you install yourself. I have a DCC system and tried using DC with a new decoder to prove a point a few years ago.
If you buy say, a Bachmann loco with onboard SoundTraxx decoder, new, the loco will run out of the box on DC. From a private source, some disable the DC option as there can be a runaway when the decoder is run by DCC. Nature of the beast.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
richg1998 wleberk Just installed a Soundtraxx Tsunami sound decoder in my IHC 2-10-2. I don't have a DCC system(yet) but Soundtraxx says the decoder works in DC. When I give it power it doesn't move and the headlight doesn't come on but the sound works and there is no blue smoke. I wired it correctly as the instructions say. Is this normal and is there any way to operate the engine in DC? SOP. Standard Operating Procedure with a Tsunami you install yourself. I have a DCC system and tried using DC with a new decoder to prove a point a few years ago. If you buy say, a Bachmann loco with onboard SoundTraxx decoder, new, the loco will run out of the box on DC. From a private source, some disable the DC option as there can be a runaway when the decoder is run by DCC. Nature of the beast. Rich
Thats good info Rich, didn't know about the runaway problem. Is there a thread somewhere that covers that already.
It does happen,though rarely,that there's a very short delay (thousands of a second) between the current to the track and the digital signal from the command station.When this happens,the decoder sees it as DC first off and since DCC is full voltage all the time,the loco starts at full throttle right away.Setting either CV29 or CV12 (Tsunami) to disable DC is recommended when not needing this feature.
Check out this guy. He is in quite a few DCC forums. Check out his site carefully. He is very good with DCC.
I did a Google search for this.
There are some who have commented in other DCC forums on this issue.
There are quite a few issues that pop up at times about different brands of decoders and DCC systems, plus running decoders on DC such as having to turn the power pack up higher than with a DC only loco.
https://sites.google.com/site/markgurries/home/dcc-problems/decoder-problems/decoder-loss-of-control/runaway-technical-discussion
richg1998If you buy say, a Bachmann loco with onboard SoundTraxx decoder, new, the loco will run out of the box on DC. From a private source, some disable the DC option as there can be a runaway when the decoder is run by DCC. Nature of the beast.
The Bachmann has a factory-installed decoder in it. It will have been initally programming there to operate.
If you get an aftermarket Tsunami decoder and install it to use on a DC system, it will be set at factory defaults, address 3, etc. I'm uncertain if that would come with DC enabled. I know when I initially program Tsunamis with my NCE PowerCab I have to choose to enable DC operation. I don't, however, for the same reasons stated about avoiding runaways. May just be the NCE system options, though, not sure. It's possible that the Tsunami is not set for DC operation and will require programming on a DCC system to enable that first.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL