As the title says, how to make it work? It is a sound equipped Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0. I tried to change the brake from F11 to F7 but it wont move from F11. Does anyone know how they are made up? Any special tricks I should know?
I found this document on the Bachmann web site, which may help:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/Sound_Decodesr_CV_DFLT.pdf
or download the Steam Sound User’s Guide for the Spectrum locomotives from SoundTraxx:
http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals/OEM%20Steam%20Users%20Guide.pdf
Can I assume you got the Shay running? [:)]
Thanks Cacole that could help, I´ll see when I get home.
Hamltnblue; No, the shay is still “dead” [:(], this is for my Tenwheeler.
A little update. I have downloaded the Bachmann CV profile for the Tsunami. I have crossreferenced it with the Bachmann OEM Steam Users Guide. The conclusion is that it doesn´t add up! The values are way different in the two documents, and as such they are rather worthless.
Here is a comparison of the values:
Bachmann CV´s per the manual: OEM manual CV´s in parantesis:
FL_F_MAP 01 /* CV 33, FL(f) Output Location / (01)
FL_R_MAP 02 / CV 34, FL(r) Output Location / (02)
F1_MAP 08 / CV 35, F1 Output Location / (08)
F2_MAP 04 / CV 36, F2 Output Location / (04)
F3_MAP 16 / CV 37, F3 Output Location / (16)
F4_MAP 32 / CV 38, F4 Output Location / (32)
F5_MAP 02 / CV 39, F5 Output Location */ &nb
Perhaps the Bachmann Tsunami is locked. I don’t have any of these to verify, but it’s possible that Bachmann locked the decoder. With QSI and TCS decoders, CVs 16 and 17 can be used to lock and unlock a decoder. Dig into the document from SoundTraxx to see if these CVs are supported in the OEM version.
As a last resort, you might need to contact SoundTraxx and ask for their help.
I’ve never had to contact them but have heard that they do respond to e-mail questions.
Thanks for the reply Cacole. There is no decoder-lock in use as far I can see in the manuals. As for the Support at Soundtraxx, I have mailed them (twice) but haven´t heard from them…
Since SoundTraxx makes and programs the decoders for Bachmann, I’d be more inclined to go with their CV values than those provided by Bachmann.
I tried the Soundtraxx CV´s and they make a really strange sound-mapping! If I want Dimmer on F5 I get nothing, and if I want dynamo on the light (F0) I get no bell on F1!?!
Is it maybe something wrong with the decoder? It seems strange, as it works flawlessly as long as I don´t try to remap it.
The following copied from the Soundtraxx manual listed at the top of this thread may be useful, in ascertaining whether there is a decoder lock or not in place on your decoder:
If You Forget the Lock Code
As there are only eight possible combinations, you can easily determine a
forgotten Lock Code setting using trial and error with the following procedure:
Place the locomotive on the Programming Track and set CV 15 to 0. Then
try to read the value in CV 16. If CV 16 does not read back, the decoder is
locked. Set CV 15 to 1 and try reading CV 16 once more. Again, if CV 16
does not read back, the decoder is still locked. Program CV 15 to 2 and try
reading CV 16 again. Continuing in the manner, you should eventually find
the value stored in CV 16 as it can only be programmed between 0 and 7.
If you have tried setting CV 15 to all eight values between 0 and 7 and the
decoder still does not respond, there may be a problem with the installation,
the program track or the decoder itself and further investigation will be
required.
If you do not have access to a programming track with read-back capabilities
(or are uncertain as to whether it is working properly) you can also use
operations mode to discover the Lock Code by alternately programming CV
15 and setting another CV to a value where there is a known response. For
example, changing CV 128, the master volume control, will provide auditory
feedback as to whether the decoder is unlocked by virtue of a change in
sound level. Thus, you would begin by setting CV 15 to 0 and then setting
CV 128 to 0. If the volume does not fall to zero, the decoder is locked. Then
set CV 15 to 1 and try programming CV 128 again. Repeat this process until
you find
As I said above, there is no lock in use. I have altered speeds and other CV´s, it is only the function mapping (and adress change) that doesn´t work as it should. The functions doesn´t make any sense at all when changes with CV values from the manual and the adress wont be changed either.
I got a reply from Soundtraxx service department (service is the word[tup]), saying that I should change CV 30 to 0. I did so and what do you know, it works! Now it was no problem to remap the functions to my preferred buttons.
The problem with changing adress however, is due to the fact that my programmer can´t supply enough “juice” to the decoder. I think I have to take it to my friend, as he has a different setup, to give it a different adress.
It´s really nice with companys who can actually help their customers, Soundtraxx has my support from now on!
(Other decoder Mfg´s I have contacted regarding support or service in the past never replied…I haven´t bought any more from them since then either [:-,])
It’s nice to hear that SoundTraxx answered your question and was able to solve your programming problem.
I’ve never been unable to change the address on a Tsunami using Ops Mode (Main Line) programming instead of the programming track, using an NCE 5 Amp Power Pro system. Programming track output is reduced in strength, but not Ops Mode programming, so try that method.
Depending on which type of DCC system you have, you may need to change the value in CV 29 as a separate step if you’re trying to change to a long address, in order for the decoder to recognize the new address. I usually give CV 29 a value of 34 to disable DC operation.