I took my just-completed DCC converted Atlas RS3 to my LHS this afternoon to let them listen to the random “static” sounds present from the first power up test thinking I had a bad decoder.
Nope. Thanks to the owner who is a RR buff going way back the first words out of his mouth when he heard the noise was “Air tank pop valve”. To confirm it he looked up the Soundtraxx CV for “pop valve volume” and once I set it to zero…no more static sound. Even if I was a purist which I ain’t that repetitive random sound was driving me nuts (not far to go either according to some…). Anyway, it’s shut off and I can close the book on my first DCC decoder install … and uncover the windows now that my vocabulary is more civil…
Good to know, especially since I am thinking of having an Atlas RS-3 converted.
It is amazing the various sounds they have available now. Have two sound equipped steamers and have barely scratched the surface of what I can do if I would sit down, read and do.
thats funny: my first HO install was a atlas rs-3/tsunami alco 244 , love that engine …but didnt like cutting down the wieght for the speaker ,hard cutting material iirc…Jerry
I’m not sure, but I think there’s a CV you can also use to program how often the ‘random’ sounds are generated, so the pop valve sound would happen less often. That coupled with a lower volume might make it work better for you.
Pop off valve sounds in a Diesel or steam engine sounds GREAT to me. Also I used to drive a semi-truck for a living also with the good ole “Pop Valve” from the air compressors air tanks.
If you don’t like the sounds then either shut them off or stay straight DCC ( or DC ).
Yes I belong to the “Over the Hill” gang also, ( 77 ) but I still love my sounds right down to the Squeeeeling train wheels on the curves.