Frequently Asked Questions:
SoundTraxx
Tsunami
Setting Tsunami Addresses on Digitrax Super Chief Sets:
The DCS from Digitrax does not conform completely to the
NMRA Recommended Practices for programming tracks. But The Tsunami
does. Early Tsunamis cannot have CV 17 or 18 (long, or 4-digit, address)
programmed on the programming track with the Digitrax system. Rather
than leaving their customers in a bind, SoundTraxx "jimmied" later units
to overcome Digitrax' weakness.
WORKAROUND: Program the 2 digit address of your choice on the programming track.
Move to the main. Confirm operation of your loco on the main. Select Programming
OPS Mode for the 2 digit address you've set into the loco. (Po display) Select
AD2=???. Press the right knob to get into the 4 digit mode. Enter your desired
4 digit address. When your DT400 asks if you want to activate the 4 digit address,
answer "Y".
If you are using DecoderPro, as I do, here's what I find works. Set the 2 digit
address on the programming track with the software and save the file. Move to
the main and select programming on the main. Set the 4 digit address and select
4 digit addressing on the main. Quit and save the computer file. Operate the
loco on the main with the 4 digit address. Reopen the computer file and continue
customizing the loco on the main.
My Sound Isn't Loud Enough
On-board loco sound in HO and smaller scales will NOT be loud enough to be over the crowd at a meet in a large room. The idea is to provide enough sound to be heard in the neighborhood of the loco. One club in the Phoenix AZ area has a rule: "If it can be heard 5 feet away from the loco, it is TOO LOUD!" This is a good definition of "scale sound" - that is, sound which is correct for the scale you are modeling.
With this introduction, Bruce wants to explain that he finds the Tsunami MORE THAN adequate to fulfill these needs. In installations which fall short, he normally finds that improper speaker installation is the culprit.
Bruce did a clinic at the NMRA National Convention in Cincinnati on the installation of speakers in HO scale locos. He updated it for the Detroit convention. While this clinic is available on this web site (CLICK HERE), much of its content is lost without the narrative to support it. Bruce will be adding his thoughts on speaker installation to this web site soon. Speaker design is more art than science here - lots of experimentation is indicated.
I Can't Get My Loco to Run Well Slowly
The Tsunami has a great BEMF control system, but, like all finely tuned items, it needs to be compatible with your loco. Here's how you get them happy with each other.
- Turn Off any speed tables with CV29
- Set CV2 to 0
- Shut off momentum
(CV3 = 0; CV4 = 0) - Go to Programming on the Main (OPs mode for Digitrax), preferably using DecoderPro
- Set CV 209 to 0
- Set CV210 to 0
- Set the loco moving forward on speed step 1
(128 step mode recommended) - Adjust CV210 until the loco just moves, very slowly - will be jerky
- Adjust CV209 until the loco smoothes out
Once you have done the above, you can adjust the steam chuff rate
to match the wheel rotation (assuming you aren't using a cam) by:
- Set a medium slow speed on the loco - about step 10
- Adjust CV116 for the proper chuff rate
(4 chuffs per revolution for most rod locos)
The sound will be in sync for this speed step only - if the loco runs slower, it may fall off - much faster and you won't be able to count the chuffs relative to wheel rotation. Bruce finds this provides the best balance!
- Reset momentum
(Bruce recommends CV3 = 40; CV4 = 20)