CV 2 is at 002 Vstart
Marty,
You can adjust CV2 (VStart) to where it just begins moving at speed step 001. Instructions to do that should be in either your Zephyr manual and/or the Loksound Select manual - somewhere in the beginning.
On my Power Cab I have a button on the bottom row (“28/128”) that allows me to instantly change speed steps (incriments) from 28 to 128 and vice versa. The higher number allows more smaller incrimental changes in speed for each speed step.
For example, if my top speed for a locomotive is an arbitrary 100 MPH, it will take 28 steps (or clicks of the knob or speed button) to go from zero to 100 vs. 128 steps to accomplish the same task. If you want to move your locomotive slowly throw the speed ranges then 128 speed steps is what you want.
Does that make sense?
Tom
You’re going to need a computer interface such as a PR3 or Locobuffer and use a JMRI throttle to actually get speed step 1. That’s the problem with the potentiometer control of the Zephyr, there’s no way to be sure you are at step 1 or not. Other option would be a DT402 throttle plugged in. Those have encoders and you can get a definite step 1 out of them. If your only throttles are the Zephyr and/or UT4’s, the best you can do is an approximation where the loco starts to move when you just barely nudge the throttle. But good luck making the same ‘nudge’ each time.
–Randy
Thanks for clearing that up, Randy. So there’s no digital readout on the Zephyr to indicate what speed step you are at?
Tom
Nope, just a throttle knob and a direction lever. The readout is only for selecting the address or displaying the CV numbers and values when programming. I don;t THINK the + and - buttons work to increment and decrement speed by a step at a time. I have the old original Zephyr, not the Xtra though. That’s why the first thing I bought (other than some decoders) was a DT400 throttle. Encoders, and obvious speed step control.
–Randy
I have the PR3 interface module and I am in the basic speed table according to JMRI. Should I put it in the 28 step pane? Then use the JMRI throttle?
Here is what I calculated using my phones stop watch.
0.25’/27sec= .009ft/sec
.009/5,280 x 3,600 sec x 87.1
= .53sMPH
I bumped the throttle a little waited for response bumped again and so forth until the loco moved.
Marty
0.53sMPH is not too shabby, Marty. [Y][8D]
Tom
I am going to buy another select 6 aux for my Kato GP35 . I will try my Other Kato GP35 with the Tsunami KT1000, see how it compares. The only thing in common is Kato workmanship smaller loco but we will see.
Tom
I ran my Kato GP35 with the KT-1000 Tsunami decoder throught the same test as the SD40-2 with the ESU select decoder. Interesting enough there is notible jerking at the same speed (step001). The results was .91sMPH or 16 sec in 3 inches of travel. Now this could be the difference in mechanics of the motor and linkages or in electrical pulses are not as refined. Need a O-Scope to see that. At least that is my thinking. I will be getting another select decoder for this Loco and will see what happens ! I will evetually install it in my other Kato GP35 of the same exact model different road name.
I am very curious about this now!
I posted on you tube again.
Marty
Randy
It has been a few months since I have discussed ESU Loksound decoders. I bought the Lokprogrammer and wish to reprogram one of my select 8 pin decoder #73436 from the prime mover 567 to # 73404 (7FDL16). I tried loading the new file but it says I it is a V4 file , I pulled it from the select sound files. I am new at this so I may be doing something wrong.
Marty
Actually I tried to load the #73440 file.
I see there is a new version of the V 4 programmer software that came out yesterday. However that may not solve your problem
Reading thru this thread, I think you did not get a V 4 decoder so maybe the sound file is incompatible if it is a V 4.
I will discuss this with Jack at Litchfield Station today. I always have him program my decoders. All but one of my ESU decoders is a select 73400 series one is a direct . This is my first shot at reprogramming, so I will keep plugging away at this.
Kind of a dead issue since Tsunamis have been discontinued, but after recently installing a couple of TCS WOW sound decoders, and buying an engine (Atlas C-425) with Loksound installed, I can’t imagine I would ever want to buy or install a Tsunami again. Sound quality is good, but so many problems setting CV’s and keeping them once set, down to outright failure of the decoder, it’s just not worth it.
Ironically, I have some old Soundtraxx LC (“low cost”) sound decoders from 10 years ago that are still working great.
It will be interesting to see how the TSU-1100 will compare. Same size as the Econami.
Rich
Yes. Now that Tsunami 2 is announced well have to see what it’s all about. I don’t have much budget available for sound for the forsee able future but I will be watching from the sidelines with interst.