Please help! I just bought the digitrax SDH164D decoder and it is et for steam. how do i change the setting from steam to diesel please help
Didn’t it come with any instructioins ? If not, you can download them from the Digitrax web site.
i dond have the thing that you hook it up to the computer though and it says it is both steam and diesel but i dont know how to change it to deisel. the instuctions are scetchy
I don’t find the instructions for the SDH164D decoder on the Digitrax website. I can’t even find it shown on that site as being an available product. However, the information from the following link to the Ulrich Models Hobby Store, http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/the-563/SDH164D--dsh--DCC,-Motor,/Detail, would lead one to believe that whoever sold that decoder to you should have asked you what sounds you wanted on it, unless they assumed that you had a programmer. And looking at the list of available sound projects, I don’t see any generic steam or diesel sounds listed as available options.
If it were me, I’d take the thing back to where I’d bought it and ask them to download the proper sound for me.
Try setting CV60 to 01
I have the Bachman EZ command control and it doesnt have the Cv
Train Boy, if the seller won’t change the sound for you, contract Steve at Ulrich Models. He down load a sound file for a few members here. Did not charge me anything, but I would ask how much he would charge. More than likely nothing.
http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/StoreFront
If you want to keep your Bachmann E-Z (I ran one for 3 years) and you want to change CV’s. I would look into getting a Digitrax PR 3 computer interfaces. With it and your computer you can change CV’s on all most any decoder and you can down load sound file for DIGITRAX Sound decoders ONLY. You can change sound files on other decoders but you cannot load new sounds.
It makes changing CV’s very simple and is the best $70.00 I spent to date. Even if you go with a different DCC system that can change CV’s you will still use it. Much simpler than using a DCC system to change CV’s.
Good Luck and thanks for joning.
Cuda Ken
Do you have a friend with a more advanced system? If not, you are SOL.
David B
The EZ Command does not change CV’s or connect to a PC interface. Do a Google search for bachmann ez command.
Get a better system. Do a Google search for dcc systems and read all the specs. Take your time. Do not hurry and buy before you can understand what you are buying. Some LHS’s will sell you what they want you to have, not necessarily what you want or need. If some see you are clueless, they will sell you anything.
Do some homework first. You will be better off.
I have the NCE Power Cab which does everything I need as I only run a couple locos at a time. I also have a USB PC interface.
Do a Google search for nce power cab.
Rich
Rich is right! Do not under an circumstances let a LHS clerk see that you aren’t sure what you need. Knowledge is your best friend in this case. There are some very good DCC systems out there. I recommend you look seriously at either the NCE Power Cab or a Digitrax system. I have the Digitrax Zephyr myself and I find it quite easy to use and understand.
Okay, so how did this thread end up being a discussion of the abilities of various DCC systems again? I have not seen anyone reference a document that says that changing a CV will accomplish what the OP wants to do. In fact, as I said in my post above, I was not able to find any documentation on the decoder in question, and the information at the Ulrich site would lead me to believe that it would be necessary to have the decoder “loaded” with the desired sound at the time of ordering.
The Ulrich site seems to say, only one type of sound is pre-loaded in the decoder when you order the decoder. Seems very clear to me. That is why I did not say anything before. I see nothing about adding two sounds at one time. I suspect the OP does not know much about DCC options, and there are many.
You will see the OP did not even see the DCC forum. Details.
Rich
I guess it it depends on what one means by pre-loaded. To me, that would mean that there was some sort of sound program that was a default unless changed. My interpretation from the Ulrich site was that the purchaser needed to decide what sound program they wanted and the vendor did the loading, or programming, at the time of purchase. Regardless, here is the verbiage from the Ulrich site:
Digitrax - SDH164D - DCC, Motor, Sound Decoder, HO
SKU: 7-SDH164D
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Digitrax DCC, Motor and Sound Decoder with 6 Function Outputs |
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Specifications |
Other Information |
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Scales |
HO |
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Current Rating |
1.00 Amp (2.0 Amps Peak) |
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Size |
1.27" x .67" x .25" |
Application - Sound, DCC and motor controller |
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Installation |
Direct Wire |
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Function Outputs |
6-500mA |
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Function Type |
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The SDH164D, like Digitrax’s other non-specialized sound decoders, comes preloaded with steam sounds (selected by default) and sounds for an SD38-2 diesel.
Instructions for changing beween the two default modes are found on pages 6 and 10 of the instruction sheet which accompanies the decoder, and which is also available online at http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/SDH164D.pdf
The original poster will need to find someone with a DCC system capable of changing CVs in order to change the value in CV60. To switch over to the built-in diesel sound, the system does not need to be capable of downloading sound files to a Digitrax sound decoder, it just has to be capable of changing CV60.
The OP does not have a system that allows changing of CV’s or other programming outside of changing the locos address and direction and it is recommended that he get one. With what he’s getting into and what his future needs are going to require his EZ-Command isn’t going to cut the mustard. I know it’s limitations and it’s barely half a step above the status of ‘toy’. He needs something more advanced.
And we wonder why we have less new members? [banghead] There is not a thing wrong with the E-Z system to get started. If I had not had the mystery wiring problem I would still be running the E-Z. (E-Z was not the problem)
Thank you Fmilhaupt for coming up with what looks like the answer for the problem!
Cuda Ken
Simple - the solution involves changing a CV value. The OP has a DCC system that does not allow CV values to be changed. Ergo, a problem, mainly with the system of choice. This comes up pretty much every time someone wants to do more than just run a couple of trains around - like when they want to double head locos that don’t run at exactly the same speed. You’re out of luck with EZ-DCC, unless you buy a standalone programmer like the PR3 or SPROG, and when you add that in you’re up to the same money it would have cost to just get a PowerCab or Zephyr in the first place and avoid the potential issues from the start.
It may be a great way to get your feet wet, but if you stay with the hobby more than a short time you’ll quickly outgrow it, even if you don’t go in for all sorts of fancy signalling and detection stuff. Passing the same system on from modeler to modeler is a great thing in the original spirit of the hobby, but I can’t recommend that anyone buy an EZ-DCC new.
–Randy
Guess I am as bad as others about high jacking threads, but here I go!
Randy, yes the PR 3 and E-Z come close (depending of the cost of the E-Z) to a CV programing DCC system. But, the PR 3 or other interfaces using Decoder Pro is so more advances than DCC systems there is no compression. So IMHO should not be factored into the cost. Heck, I have a $300.00 DCC system now, and still use the PR 3 to change CV’s.
Cuda Ken defending the E-Z again.
fmilhaupt Thank you your answer is the makes the most sense to me.