Programing new Tsunami chip

power boat jim Feb 10, 2021

  1. power boat jim

    power boat jim TrainBoard Member

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    I replaced a non sound board with a new Tsunami II in an athearns loco and can only get a couple functions to work. I cannot give it a 4 number address, cant get ditch lights to work, and cant program acc or brake momentum into it. If any one can help especially with the momentum it would be appreciated
     
  2. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

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    How are you programming the decoder? JMRI or by directly writing CVs through the throttle? Either way, it is probably a good idea to perform a factory reset. Is it wired correctly?
     
  3. power boat jim

    power boat jim TrainBoard Member

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    Directly trough the CVs I did a factory reset on Tuesday and started over with the same results. THe ditch lights did flash when I did the reset so I know they work. it says "good" when you hit enter after setting the CVs but there is no effect on the locomotives performance.
     
  4. N-Jineer

    N-Jineer TrainBoard Member

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    What DCC system are you using?

    If you've done a reset, try F24, F25, F26 and F27 in turn to see if the Ditchlights are working. (Factory Default: F24 is FX3 output, F25 is FX4 and so on)
     
  5. N-Jineer

    N-Jineer TrainBoard Member

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    Just a thought - what lighting does your Athearn have, LEDs or Bulbs?
     
  6. power boat jim

    power boat jim TrainBoard Member

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    It has leds, when I did the factory reset the ditch lights flashed. I will try your suggestion and see what happens. Im using digitax
     
  7. gregamer

    gregamer TrainBoard Supporter

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    I recently purchased Athearn Genesis with Tsunami. The ditch lights were on function f5 and f6. Maybe try those function keys.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  8. N-Jineer

    N-Jineer TrainBoard Member

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    Greg, you are correct about the factory fitted Tsunami 2 ditchlights being on F5 and F6, but the OP has fitted a retail Tsunami 2 and the defaults for the FX pads are different and set to F24 onwards.
    I have both factory fit and Retail in my Athearn Genesis locos and always reprogram them identically, F5 for Front Ditchlights, F6 for Backup light/Rear Ditchlights (if fitted),F26 Startup/RPM+ F27 Shutdown/RPM-
    I like the Tsunami 2 so much that I am planning to replace 5 factory fit Tsunami 1 when I get around to upgrading their lighting to LEDs.
     
    gregamer likes this.
  9. power boat jim

    power boat jim TrainBoard Member

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    I can not program momentum into as well. I have tried it on the main and a programming track with zero success. I have been able to speed match it though.
     
  10. N-Jineer

    N-Jineer TrainBoard Member

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    Have you downloaded the Tsunami 2 Technical Guide from the Soundtraxx website?
     
  11. N-Jineer

    N-Jineer TrainBoard Member

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  12. power boat jim

    power boat jim TrainBoard Member

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    I dont quite understand all of what is in there. If I could get the address changed to a 4 digit number, set the momentum and get the lights to work I would be happy. IM guessing some cvs need to be changed first to set others? I am somewhat new to all this so I appreciate your patience. Is there a simple step by step process for setting the address form 03 to a 4 digit? For instance go to program enter cv # then go to the next cv # and exit then set 4 digit address? I have tried to set a 4 digit address with no succcess so Im guesssing something needs to be changed.
     
  13. N-Jineer

    N-Jineer TrainBoard Member

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    Here's some YouTube videos about programming CVs with digitrax systems that will help: -



    .





    The last is George from Soundtraxx programming the Tsunami 2 with Digitrax, NCE and MRC - George is Sountraxx's Guru and is always worth watching.
     
    BNSF FAN likes this.
  14. power boat jim

    power boat jim TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you I will give them a view
     
  15. power boat jim

    power boat jim TrainBoard Member

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    OK so far you guys have been pretty much on the money. Got the address to take 4 digits got the momentum to work and got the front ditch lights on. The rear number board works now but not the rear ditch lights. seems f 24 25 were the front ditch lights and numbers board was f 26-7 cant find the rear ditch lights and making them go on and off in reverse/ forward and with the horn is another project. Any more suggestions to get this to work will be appreciated.
     
  16. N-Jineer

    N-Jineer TrainBoard Member

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    As you want the ditchlights to flash when sounding the horn, I suggest you open it up and double-check that: -

    A lead hasn't come loose

    One Ditchlight is connected to one FX pad i.e. one Front Ditchlight to FX3; the other to FX4 and for the rear one each to FX5 and FX6

    Only then you'lll be able to program the CVs for each FX pad to enable the flashing with the horn.
     
  17. power boat jim

    power boat jim TrainBoard Member

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    Here is what I found, the numbers board flash alternately on the rear of the engine. is it possible the dutch lights are a different cv? I didnt see any wires off the board. And the front ditch lights now flash with the horn albeit too fast.
     
  18. N-Jineer

    N-Jineer TrainBoard Member

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    Page 32 of the Tsunami 2 Users Guide, under 'Basic Programming' explains how to set up Alternating Front Ditchlights.
    To have Alternating Rear Ditchlights, try giving CV53 the same value as CV51 and CV54 the same as CV52
     
  19. power boat jim

    power boat jim TrainBoard Member

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    Tried to program those cvs but I get the wrong with a square message when I hit the program key. The numbers boards flash with the front ditch lights but they dont alternate, they act as one light. the front ditch lights stay on all the time and the rears never come on no matter direction. Seems the numbers boards are the rear lights. Its kind of a mess.
     
  20. N-Jineer

    N-Jineer TrainBoard Member

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    It would help to know a bit more about this Athearn. What loco is it? Is a Genesis or a 'Ready-to-Roll'?
     

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