ESU LokSound N-scale problem

MP333 Mar 8, 2020

  1. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    My new Atlas GP38-2 with LokSound Select Direct Micro 73199 arrived. I ran a few loops and tested the bell and horn. Everything was good.

    Put loco on programming track, and changed address from "3" to cab number, and did not change any other values. Back on the main, the address was indeed successfully changed. BUT there are no lights and no sound. Unit runs just fine aside from the effects seem to be gone.

    Any ideas on how to proceed? I read in the literature that a factory reset would likely cause sound problems that would need to be addressed, so I'm not keen to do that yet.

    Thanks for any help.
     
  2. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Make sure you didn't set the address as a consist address (set CV19=0).

    What did you use to set the loco address? What command station? Do you have Decoder Pro?
     
  3. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes, I use an NCE Power Pro with a separate programming track. I use JMRI via laptop. I checked CV19 just now, and it says 0. Thank you, forgot to add that detail.
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2020
  4. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    What happens if you reset the address to 3?

    Resetting the decoder shouldn’t cause any issues, as long as Atlas loaded the decoder correctly in the first place. But, I would recommend doing it on the program track via JMRI. Make sure you have the latest release, and let JMRI identify the decoder (do not manually select the decoder). You can then go to the CV page and read all the CVs first. Make sure you are in Direct Mode. It will take a while, but also gets you a baseline on the decoder settings. Then, in the unit’s roster file, there is a Reset menu item. Use that

    Also, important note: there is a firmware error in the Power Pro which makes programming CVs >255 fail and can corrupt other CVs. Only use Decoder Pro for any LokSound programming.
     
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  5. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I had thought of going back to 3, and will try tomorrow. Perhaps I should delete the roster file as well? JMRI would not ID the decoder by itself. I found it and selected it. Perhaps an issue there. I will also check to make sure I'm up to date. Thanks Rick and all.
     
  6. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Yeah, delete (or rename) your current roster entry, and start it again. Make sure you are programming in a Direct mode (not paged). If DecoderPro cannot identify the decoder, then something else is going on. (Does the loco have any stay alive caps installed?)
     
  7. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Not aware of caps. Will try tomorrow with a fresh brain (mine, I mean). Thanks again, Rick.
     
  8. jpwisc

    jpwisc TrainBoard Member

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    Not to insult, but did you try F8?
     
  9. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes, and no effect. I can see the numerals on the keypad that indicate effects in use (Bell = 1, etc), but no sound. And also, there is no light from the unit.
     
  10. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    OK, problem solved! After perusing the CVs and not seeing anything odd, I finally decided to factory reset the decoder. I was surprised how quick that process was. I also deleted the roster entry and rebuilt it.

    Anyway, she runs just fine, lights and sound, plus I DID change the ID to the cab number, so we are good to go. Honk Honk~!

    Thanks Rick and Karl
     
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  11. Randy Clark

    Randy Clark TrainBoard Member

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    Is this issue that was mentioned with POWER PRO Systems? I "upgraded from the Power Cab" and it has become more difficult to reprogram and adjust CVs. It seems like in particular it affects my Scale Trains with Lok Sound very disappointing.
     
  12. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    yes. You cannot program any of the indexed CVs directly from your Power Pro, either programming track or PoM.
     
  13. Randy Clark

    Randy Clark TrainBoard Member

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    There are some adjustments that can be made to CVs like speed CV5, CV6, etc but nothing on sound yhat I can find such as Prime Mover Sound Level, Bell volume or horn volume. Please correct me if I am in error.

    Depending on the response then the hard questions will come.
     
  14. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Yes, the sound levels are configurable, with either the LokProgrammer or DecoderPro. But not with an NCE Power Pro
     
  15. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    In DecoderPro, you can operate sliders to change sound levels. I wasn't about to mess with anything until the loco was restored. Now, feeling more comfortable, I'll play with some of those levels.
     
  16. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Yep. Also, there is a "tricky" way to learn what is in each sound slot, since DecoderPro cannot display the slot names. If you go to the Info tab, and read all sheet, the name of the sound project will appear. You can then go to the ESU LokSound Select project download page, and search for that project, and get the bulletin / info on it. Even more fun, if you have a PC (not Mac or Linux), you can download the LokProgrammer Software; you do not need the LokProgrammer hardware to use the software. Load the project into the software, and all the slot names will be shown. There is even a way to export all teh CVs from the LP software and import them into your DecoderPro profile.
     
  17. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks Rick. This is all a bit above my head, but I'll keep plunking at it. I am PC.
     
  18. woodone

    woodone TrainBoard Member

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    Randy, try using your PowerCab to program.
    I would think that you are using the PC throttle with the Pro-Cab.
    Just a short piece of test track using your Power Cab set up might clear thing up?
     

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