Maybe its just my specific locomotive? I don’t feel I can get control that good, but then again that may have to do with the motor more than the decoder. Thanks for the correction!
Welcome on board, trainman90.
David
I have been “building” my DCC loco roster over the last 20 years and have accumulated decoders of many brands, from MRC to ESU. I always keep the documentation for each decoder, identifying the loco on the appropriate instruction sheet. MRC got/gets a lot of bad press, but I have about 10 steamers with MRC decoders that I installed about a decade ago, and they still run well. Sound is OK. If I win the lottery, I might upgrade them 
.
ESU is among the best for sound, which I like when I’m at the club (a very noisy environment). I have a few of those that came “stock” with some locos. These last few years, I’ve been installing mainly Digitrax decoders. They may not sound as well as the more higher end decoders, but they serve my purposes very well at home. I get good sound with the FX line and can change the sound using Soundloader (Digitrax). As for motor control, JMRI allows me to fine-tune the speed for better control from the throttle. You can also add capacitor packs from Digitrax (power xtender) sold at a very reasonable cost. For those living on a tight budget, Digitrax is a good choice in my opinion.
Simon
1 Like
Thank @snjroy, I have used a couple of Digitrax mobile decoders and got my first Tsunami2. The only issue I have had is one of the decoders doesn’t like JMRI for some reason. Although that could be the way I have my test track connected (my serial to USB adapter is a bit wonky).
Al
1 Like
Which decoder? You need to make sure you have the correct one under DecoderPro. You may have to reload the program to update the list. There could be other issues, but we are going off topic…
Simon
1 Like
@snjroy never got that far, that’s why I think its the USB to serial adapter.
1 Like
If you can program your other locos/decoders, why do you think that the USB connection would be the culprit for one decoder?
Simon
On closer inspection my serial adapter does not fit correctly into the command station. It only goes a very short way into the receptacle and falls out without much movement. I think when i programed one locomotive I got “lucky”. It just happened to be the one with the Tsunami2 in it.
1 Like
I don’t think TCS and Digitrax have the chatter etc. (I think TCS WowSound decoders have the “ALL ABOARD” call you can use with a function button if you want it.)
The worst I’ve found is the BLI Paragon 4 - you can do a variety of sounds with different function buttons (radio chatter, yard sounds, lumber mill, etc.) BUT as best I can tell, once you hit the function button to turn it on, it never stops! I’d be OK with being able to do the station announcement sound when the trains sitting in the station, but then it continues to play every couple of minutes - hitting that function button again doesn’t turn it off.
1 Like
I’m new to the hobby as well (after decades away). I’ve been leaning toward Digitrax as that is what my system is, they seem relatively easy to install and are relatively cheap. However, I’ve heard ESU decoders come with an uncouple shuffle function which I very much want. But I’ve heard they’re hard to program and am not crazy about needing a proprietary programmer. Also, they’re expensive and often come blank.
I’ve been trying to find out if there’s a way to add the decouple shuffle (small reverse movement then a pull away) to a function on Digitrax decoders but so far no luck. I’m hoping I don’t have to learn an entire programming language to write scripts to do it.
Brianw, I must say I’ve never heard of that uncouple shuffle function. I guess if you use uncoupling magnets that would be a neat feature.
Regards, Chris
2 Likes
That’s my ultimate goal, to fully automate the process with block detectors, automated electromagnets and the uncouple shuffle. All controlled via either throttle or I train. That’s the dream, anyway.
3 Likes
Brian,
If you don’t own a Lokprogrammer, you can generally order ESU decoders from a vendor programmed with the correct prime mover or steam sound file. You just pick the sound file you want from a drop-down list when you order online and the vendor will install it free of charge.
Tom
2 Likes
Thanks for the heads-up! Though I haven’t seen that offered at places like IronPlanet, granted, I didn’t even know to look for it.
2 Likes
No programming in DCC. The decoders come with factory pre-sets already in place. You can adjust what is there, or just change the ID to the loco number and leave all the sounds “as is” if you like it. You have CVs (control values) and you enter a number, like you have 20 choices of horn and you enter the number of the one you want. Really easy!
Getting Decoder Pro (free download, but you need something like a Digitrax PR4 to connect the programming track to your computer) makes setting up a decoder very easy.
ESU is perhaps the best decoder out there. As you note, the decoders come blank and you need to use their LokProgrammer to add the sounds - but it is very easy to set up and has many advantages. You can fine tune everything (lights, sounds, etc.) plus you can re-use the decoders in other engines - take a Loksound out of a diesel, put it in a steam engine, and re-do the sound files for the steam engine you want.
2 Likes
Just a slight correction…CV stands for “configuration variables”.
Okay, back to the regularly scheduled program.
Tom
1 Like
I meant learning Java to program scripts for iTrain or to stack functions in a function key (i.e. short reverse then pull away - if it’s even possible to do).
2 Likes
Al, I’m a Tsunami user whenever possible. I have TCS and ESU decoders in my fleet but I just think the programming is easier with a Tsunami. They have greatly improved their motor control,quality since “the old days”. That said, if I purchased a new locomotive and it had a TCS Wow or a LokSound I would still be pleased.
Regards, Chris
^ This …
I don’t think TCS and Digitrax have the chatter etc. (I think TCS WowSound decoders have the “ALL ABOARD” call you can use with a function button if you want it.)
The worst I’ve found is the BLI Paragon 4 - you can do a variety of sounds with different function buttons (radio chatter, yard sounds, lumber mill, etc.) BUT as best I can tell, once you hit the function button to turn it on, it never stops! I’d be OK with being able to do the station announcement sound when the trains sitting in the station, but then it continues to play every couple of minutes - hitting that function button again doesn’t turn it off.
The Paragon decoder’s miscellaneous sounds and radio chatter are all random functions and will continue to play in random sequence and timing until the function button is pressed off.
2 Likes
I have a few BLI locomotives but i think they are all older. I know at least two have the old QSI decoders. A couple may have the original paragon. I inherited them from my Dad.
Al
2 Likes