Athearn sent me a new TSU-GN1000 decoder to replace a faulty one.
I connected the four pickup wires and the two motor wires of my Genesis F3A to the decoder and put it on the Programming Track. My system is an NCE PH-Pro 5 amp system. I have a DCC Specialties Power Pax signal booster in line to read sound decoders.
It cannot read any CVs on this decoder, not even the Mfg ID or Version No., although its sister engine can be programmed on the Programming Track.
So, in desperation, I put the loco on the main layout and tried to run it on the short address of 3. Nothing.
Just to experiment, I put the loco back on the Programming Track and selected #3 option, the Register to see if anything would happen. I could hear some clicks, perhaps meaning the decoder is alive.
My problem at the moment is that I can not get any response on the Programming Track or on the main layout.
I cannot address the loco by its short address let alone the long address.
Since Athearn sent a new decoder, I would not expect a long address, but Soundtraxx supposedly sets all of it short addresses to 3 as the default, but the loco does not respond to 3.
Do you see any red LED light up on the board? That would mean the decoder is getting power. If you can’t get a read back I would expect you will not be able to do a reset. Is this a decoder from Athearn or SoundTraxx?
Yes, I know that Athearn does not make decoders. I was just wondeing if the decoder was just a spare part removed from a other locomotive. ( NOT NEW)? SoundTraxx does do a QC check on all decoders before shipping out.
On the Programming track, you don’t need to address a unit. It doesn’t care. Just go in and hit CV 30 with a value of 2 (I think that’s right for a full reset, but check just to be sure.) After that, then just walk through the standard steps on the Programming Track to get it going (hopefully).
On my very first Tsunami install, I had the decoder board in and out multiple times. Just when I got it going [:D] the darn thing went dead [:$]
Thought I burned it, so sent back to Soundtraxx to repair. Turned out I’d managed to pull one of the leads loose under the shrink wrap where I couldn’t see it. They fixed it at N/C by soldering lead back on and returned. Nothing at all wrong with the decoder itself.
Yes, look for the red light showing through the shrink like woodone advised to determine if the decoder is getting power.
Odd about the horn and bell after a reset. I don’t have that specific decoder, but the sounds and the keys that operate them can be re-arranged. You will have to program a couple of CVs. Check the instructions.
The speaker wires would not have any effect on this.
First, my apologies to David. He mentioned the reset first, but I missed that reply.
Second, when I reset CV8=8, that got the decoder going but the horn and bell were reversed. For some reason, Soundtraxx has two factory reset procedures, CV8=8 and CV30=2. Anyway, I did CV30=2, and the horn and bell worked correctly.
It is only 10:45 in the morning, and I need a stiff drink.
Thanks to all who responded.
Next up, I have to test the lights.
Rich
Edit Note: The Tsunami manual says that CV30=2 is used to re-configure the decoder for non-NMRA compliant options, whatever that means.
Cool![8D] Always good when I can outsmart a decoder first thing in the morning. Doesn’t always happen…
Mr. B is right, you want to “remap” the function keys, baiscally swap what each controls. I don’t have any diesel Tsunamis, so can’t tell you what page it’s on, but look for chapter in the user’s guide that says “function mapping” and it’ll have a table that allows you to make an easy choice of what is assigned to each F key.
EDIT: OK, see you got it. Congrats! Too early for stiff drink, but how about a beer?[B]
Thanks, Mike. I was actually looking in the Soundtraxx manual at function mapping when I came across that CV30=2 command once again and decided to try it. Since that did the trick, I was spared the task of re-mapping.
That means it’s used for all the non-mandatory CVs, the ones that aren’t required by the NMRA as part of the basic decoder standard. For instance, like which F key the horn and bell are assigned to. That’s why it fixed them, as their assignment is not defined by the NMRA DCC standard, they can be wherever the mfg decides to put them, although their location is now relatively standardized. It’s just not a NMRA requirement that F1 = Bell and F2 = horn.
The WOW definitely has my narrowgauge buddies abuzz. One’s a beta tester for TCS and several others are TCS dealers and they’ve really been talking it up the last six months. I suspect Soundtraxx is probably getting close to the next generation Tsunami, we’ll have to wait and see. The next couple of years will help convert another bunch of sound/DCC holdouts, as I’m told the audio improvements are quite noticeable with the WOW – and I’d expect no less with a next gen Tsunami.