Tsunami’s do not support CV5 or CV6. So I don’t think that is the problem.
Use the calculator to determine what CV29 should be - make sure it isn;t set to a value that activates the speed tables.
But what you MAY have done is inadvertantly set CV2 to something high. Set it to 0 to start with. That’s the start speed. If it leeaps to near full speed as soon as you crack the throttle, it’s probably CV2 that is the culprit.
–Randy
The following is the processes I have used on this locomotive to get to where it now is:
I set it on the programing track and attempted to set 1172 as its’ address, following my Digitrax Zephyr manual for programing the decoder to a new address. The address did not seem to take. I moved it off the programing track and attempted to call up the loco and other than the sounds for the loco sitting idle being heard there was no response. I attempted to read the decoders address and the Zephyr could not read anything. I put the loco back on the programing track and attempted to write the new address to it again. Still nothing. I quit attempting to fool with it, read the limited instructions that came with the loco and found that SoundTraxx recommended their Programing Track Booster PTB-100. I went to the SoundTraxx website and read up on the decoder and asked on this Forum what was needed to get this thing to work right. It was suggested I attempt to program on the main, this I did and got the address installed in the loco. Put the loco back on the Programing Track and read back its’ address, 1172. Put the loco on the main and attempted all sounds which worked, horn, bell, coupler clank, the turbo (steam generator) started up when the lights were activated. However, the throttle response is either off/full; but, directions (forward/Reverse) works correctly.
In a nutshell, the above is what I have done. If I could accidentally messed up a CV by doing what I did, then maybe that’s what happened.
Won’t hurt anothing, use ops mode (Po) after selecting the address and set cv2 to 0. That’s the default value anyway. Now see if it just takes off at full speed or not. You can also try resetting the Zephyr in case it is something stored there - see the manual of OpSw setting and close OpSw 39 to reset the whole thing - like rebooting your computer. Cycle power after doing this.
–Randy
Before I bought the PTB100,I could write to Tsunami decoders with my PR3 but sometimes had to do it more than once for the decoder to “take” the new data.I later learned that raising the input voltage to the PR3 would have probably done it.
Since you could write and read your new adress,I assume you may be able to do any CV just the same,possibly not the first time all the time without a booster.
I’d try to read CV2 (start voltage) first,it should read 0 (default).Someone may have given it a very high value,thus the “one notch” throttle.If such is the case,writing 0 to CV2 should cure your problem.If it doesn’t,let us know.There’s an other way to set throttle on Tsunamis.
I have three conversations going on about the trouble I’m having. This thread, Emails to SoundTraxx talking with a gentleman named George Bogatiuk and emails to Support at Digitrax. I have looked through both my manual for my Digitrax Zephyr DCS50 and the general manual for Digitrax Decoders. I have also looked through some of the 70+ page manual for the Soundtraxx Tsunami decoder. There is references to the various CVs which might correct my problem. However, actually going into the CVs to read and possibly change them seems very nebulous to me!
Reading text such as this stuff gives me trouble, as I have some comprehension problems, obviously, pertaining to computer stuff.
I have not; but, am about to get out my Digitrax Big Book and see if I can find simple language on how to fix my problem.
I want to thank everyone who has tried to help me!
Do you know of any other modeler and/or a club within a reasonable drive from you?Clubs usually have the necessary hardware and knowledgeable members to help you out.Even if you’re not a member,modelers are generally very kind people who will gladly look into your problem and even do some fine tuning for you.
There will be nothing in the Big Book, it came out LONG before the Tsunami and even the Zephyr.
You could just trust us and set CV2 to 0. If it’s already 0, nothing will change. If it’s set to some large number, causing your full throttle alll the time problem, it will fix it. Look at what CV2 is in the manual - Start Speed. Clearly, if it is set to a large value, the start speed will be high. Start with the basic CVs - 1 is the short address, 2 is Start Speed, 29 is the configuration, 17 and 18 are the long address. While it might be useful to understand the math between translating your address to the values to put in CV17 and 18, you really don;t have to know that - the calculator on the web site I linked does the math for you. Likewise, it may be useful to eventually know the options for CV29, however, if that confuses you for now, just use a calculator that tells you waht to put there - the one I linked does both CV29 and the long address. Digitrax has an iOS app that has such calculators in as well, they might have it for Android too.
–Randy
Randy, I don’t miss-trust you! I simply don’t know how to go about accessing the CVs to see what is put in there. Everyone talks like it’s so simple and I have no doubt it is, I just don’t know how to start!
Jacktal, in the 26 years I’ve been building my layout, I have run accross nobody else in my small town of 6-7 thousand that are model railroaders; or, in talking to others about what I do for hobbies, no one has said to me: Oh, Bob down the road is a model railroader. Doesn’t mean there aren’t any, just means we are few and far between.
Stick to the programming section of the Zephyr manual. The part about programming other CVs, not the address.
If the loco is at least responding to the correct address - ie, a unique value not shared with another loco, just do this to make sure CV2=0:
Select the loco - verify it by running it, turning the lights on/off, whatever. Just to validate the selected loco is the one you are trying to program. As long as you have no other locos using this address you do not have to clear off the layout.
Press the Program button until the display says OPS
Pres the CV button.
Hit 02 so it show 02 in the display.
Press the CV button.
Hit 00 so it shows 00 in the display
Press CV-WR to write the value.
Press Exit to get out of programming - display should show loco address. Now see if it takes off at full speed when you crack the throttle.
This is on page 21 of the Zephyr manual.
–Randy
Randy,
Like I said, it ended up being very simple! Thank you so much for your help and patience! I don’t know what the value of CV 02 was set at. However setting at zero was all it took to get the loco to operate the way it should.
When I can’t easily find an answer to what I want to know, I become frustrated and the more I read the electronic jargon it seems the less likely I am to find an answer. I will freely admit, electronic gizmos frustrate me the most and make me feel totally inept.
Thank goodness I can access good people who can help me through these situations! Again than