DCC question-Need the uber geeks for this one.

[DigitalGriffin]

I'm trying to create a playable whistle for the soundtraxx LC series decoders by programming CV120.

Problem is everytime I do a program on the main, the train lurches forward at full speed small tad to acknowlege the programming on the main. This is disasterous if you want to sit still because up to 10 of these commands can be issued a second. This makes the train race down the track. I ended up launching my train off the track twice! [B)] My poor poor 0-8-0 will never be the same at this rate.

Is there a way to disable this acknolege "feature"?

Thanks,
D

[cacole]

Create a programming track and use Paged mode and it won't take off like a jackrabbit.

[selector]

Place a heavy towel or pillow in front of the loco if praciticable....but I think cacole's suggestion is lightyears ahead of mine.

[NZRMac]

CV 120 is just the volume, how are you doing the playable whistle?

Ken.

[JohnT14808]

I have a CD with whistle files if you need steam whistle sounds. Found the files when I taught the Railroading merit badge for our Boy Scout troop.

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DigitalGriffin

I'm trying to create a playable whistle for the soundtraxx LC series decoders by programming CV120.

Problem is everytime I do a program on the main, the train lurches forward at full speed small tad to acknowlege the programming on the main. This is disasterous if you want to sit still because up to 10 of these commands can be issued a second. This makes the train race down the track. I ended up launching my train off the track twice! [B)] My poor poor 0-8-0 will never be the same at this rate.

Is there a way to disable this acknolege "feature"?

Thanks,
D

Sounds like the experience I had when my last control master 20 shorted out and sent full power to the rails.. Balboa Brass Southern Pacific Daylight GS4 + cinder block wall.. Not a pretty sight. [V].. You would be suprised at how fast one of those things will run.. On the upside, went DCC after that and haven't looked back at DC control since except when somebody on one of these forums asks about it... [:D].

I thought that the LC decoders only had selectable whistles, not customizable.. Have I misread the literature?? [?] I think I understand your question, To stop the lurching (didn't state which system you are using), you need a track that doesn't send full power to the decoder during programming. Some systems, digitrax Chief for example, have a seperate programming track output.. MRC 2000, if I remember correctly, used a small value 2 watt resistor (10 ohm or something like that) to drop voltage for programming (could be wrong about that) but the acknowlagement was still a loco lurch..

Probably not much help but good luck anyway..


Jeff
[8D]

[jfugate]

D:

I know of no way to turn off the program on the main decoder acknowledgement. Try contacting Soundtraxx support and see what they say.

[rrinker]

Disconnect the motor and install a resistor? About 100 ohm, 10 watt (since you can get that one at Radio Shack). You can't just disconnect the motor, the decoder needs a load on the motor drive for acknowledgement (not that it matters in Ops Mode), but at least it wouldn't move but the whistle would still sound when you hit F2.

--Randy

[DigitalGriffin]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMac

CV 120 is just the volume, how are you doing the playable whistle?

Ken.

I rigged up a program that reads the thumbstick on a wireless gamepad. The further you pu***he stick forward, the louder the whistle plays. Hence the playable whistle idea.

I think I'm going to have to call this one feature quits for the LC series. Not only is there no pitch shift with volume, but a static chirp everytime I reprogram CV120. Add this to the train lurching forward with a reprogram and it's not looking good.

Nuts. So much for that idea.

I'm going to try the QSI series tonight and see if it does any better.

Any one know which decoders will support the NMRA's playable whistle spec?

~Thanks Guys
~D

[SpaceMouse]

Aren't the new Digitrax sound decoders coming with playable pitch off one of their currently disabled function keys?

[rrinker]

The only playable whistle decoders I know of currently are the soon to be released Digitrax ones and the Tsunami. Older Soundtraxx decoders did not support this feature.
And you need a DT400 throttle with Digitrax to use it. Others are planning to add this feature to their throttles at some point in the future.

--Randy

[rexhea]

Randy and others:
Are there any in-depth, engineering level publications on DCC? I would like to find more information in both software and hardware.

REX

[DigitalGriffin]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rexhea

Randy and others:
Are there any in-depth, engineering level publications on DCC? I would like to find more information in both software and hardware.

REX

Rex,

For the DCC side you can visit NMRA for the specs.

However everything from the cab control bus side is proprietary based on the manufacturer. (IE: Lenz is different than digitrax) So if you want to issue commands to the command station using an RS232 interface, (like I'm doing) you'll have to get the specs from each manufacturer.

For Lenz systems, go to www.lenz.com and get the XpressNet document.

[jfugate]

Rex:

Go to the NMRA DCC section: http://www.dcc.info/

The links on the left will take you to lots of in-depth technical information on the DCC standards and recommended practices.

[davekelly]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DigitalGriffin

QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMac

CV 120 is just the volume, how are you doing the playable whistle?

Ken.

I rigged up a program that reads the thumbstick on a wireless gamepad. The further you pu***he stick forward, the louder the whistle plays. Hence the playable whistle idea.

I think I'm going to have to call this one feature quits for the LC series. Not only is there no pitch shift with volume, but a static chirp everytime I reprogram CV120. Add this to the train lurching forward with a reprogram and it's not looking good.

Nuts. So much for that idea.

I'm going to try the QSI series tonight and see if it does any better.

Any one know which decoders will support the NMRA's playable whistle spec?

~Thanks Guys
~D

Digital,

Although your thread titles seeks the help of "uber geeks" based on this post, it seems to me that you're not far off from that lofty title. Perhaps "psuedo uber geek" or "under uber geek"?

[:D][:D][:D][:D]