KOBO Shops E8 CV Programming

Randy Clark May 27, 2021

  1. Randy Clark

    Randy Clark TrainBoard Member

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    Just got a pair of Kato Kobo Shops E8s. Got them speed matched but cannot get the master volume down to an acceptable level. In fact, they CV63 does not change master volume at all.

    I can change speed CVs, CV5 and CV6. That's it. I am stopping here till someone that knows the LOKSOUND can straighten me out.

    Thanks.
     
  2. Pieter

    Pieter TrainBoard Member

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    On some of the Loksound V4 sound projects they have this proviso: Make sure that index CV31 is set to 16 and index CV32 is set to 1 before changing a volume CV.
    Maybe that apply also to your decoder?
     
  3. Randy Clark

    Randy Clark TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you for the reply. I will try that today. Unfortunately there was no documentation as to which model decoder is in the units.
     
  4. Randy Clark

    Randy Clark TrainBoard Member

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    I have done a little digging in the packaging and now know both have the LOKSOUND V5Micro S0761 Sound decoders. Infortunately one unit will accept CV modifications but the 2nd unit will not take any CV changes.

    So far I have tried CV31 set to 16, CV32 set to 1, and even tried a reset with CV8 reset to 8. Still no joy.

    Anybody have any suggestions? The one unit is just to load.
     
  5. Pieter

    Pieter TrainBoard Member

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    You'll find the manual on their web site (http://www.esu.eu) under downloads. Most of their sound projects, including for other vendors, are also there to download. Each one includes the sound project and a list of the default sound slots and volumes. If the site is in German you can change the language of it. If you are using DecoderPro to program, it blocks some CV e.g. CV8. Look in the CV tab and some "write" are greyed out.
     
  6. Randy Clark

    Randy Clark TrainBoard Member

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    I guess I am going to forced into getting Decoder Software and associated hardware. I really don't want to due to the learning curve.
     
  7. Pieter

    Pieter TrainBoard Member

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    You only need the ESU programmer if you want program a new or update a project on the sound decoder. You can use their programming software without the programmer to see the default settings of the decoder or sound project are, which you can also import (only the CV settings) to DecoderPro.
     
  8. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Can you expand on that some? Maybe a link to more info and which software. Thanks,

    Sumner
     
  9. Pieter

    Pieter TrainBoard Member

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    ESU has software that works with their Lokprogrammer. Basically the same as DecoderPro, different layout and tied in to their Lokprogrammer. If you don't have the ESU Lokprogrammer you can still use the software and load any of the ESU decoders from the built in list, or import any of their sound projects and see what the default they use. The setting can now be exported to DecderPro if you don't want to retype the CVs. You do need the Lokprogrammer if you want to reload the sound file, replace it with new or own sound project. All of ESU current and past product (up to 1st decoder) details, you will find on their web site. A few items are only on the German side available.
    http://www.esu.eu/en/downloads/software/lokprogrammer/

    http://www.esu.eu/en/downloads/sounds/ All their sound projects are here according to the decoder versions. Each sound page has a link for the sound files and a list of the slot & function assignment for the sounds. Nice if you have lost/ haven't got the manual any more for you ESU equipped loco.
     
    Sumner likes this.
  10. Randy Clark

    Randy Clark TrainBoard Member

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    Will resetting CV8 to 8 revert the sound file back to the original sound settings as provided by KOBO shops for their locos? My Kobo shops e units seem to have a distinct hissing sound when set at factory volume settings. I may have adjusted come other setting by accident and changed the tone of the sound decoder...
     
  11. Pieter

    Pieter TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, it should go back to the sound project's original values.
     
  12. Randy Clark

    Randy Clark TrainBoard Member

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    It did reset without loosing all the CV settings (which is what I was afraid of) but I am still not happy with the sound of the prime mover. Way too tinny and it seems like it has a bit of hissing. I think the decoder needs some tuning to make it more realistic. Got to go with LOKSOUND Programmer and Software I guess.
     
  13. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Randy,
    Have you checked the speaker?
     
  14. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Agree. Check the speaker, it might not be sealed fully to the enclosure, or something may be on the magnet or baffle damaged. Easy enough to swap a speaker with a LokSound.
     
  15. Randy Clark

    Randy Clark TrainBoard Member

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    I will try that tomorrow. It is unusual that it is a paid of Kato E units.
     
  16. Pieter

    Pieter TrainBoard Member

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    To make changes to your decoder's CVs, all you really need is DeoderPro from JMRI. You either switch a button on or off, or replace a value and DecoderPro will do all the background work for you. When adding your loco you just have to select the correct decoder, fill in a few details of the loco, save and you can start programming, including sound CVs. You only need the Loksound programmer if you want to add, change, delete a sound bite/ project from the decoder. If you are changing CVs using your controller, check the manual as there is one or two settings you have to unlock first before you can change a value as a few CVs is lock from accidental changing.

    As suggested above, start with the speakers and its enclosures and also check the soldering. Also check the seating of the decoder.
     
  17. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    I'm assuming you are talking about unlocking the settings circled here....

    [​IMG]

    I understand setting them before making the changes but do you read the values in CV 31 & 32 before you change them and then restore those values after changing the relevant CV's?

    I've got two of their decoders to install so will be dealing with this pretty soon. Thanks and hope I haven't deviated from the thread too much,

    Sumner
     
  18. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    CVs 31 and 32 do not UNLOCK the decoder, they are index values on how to address the THOUSANDS of CVs in these decoders. Any CV with a number >254 must have the indices set to read or write the correct CV.

    No, there is no reason to restore them, as you must set them properly before accessing any CV that needs them. Best practice, even if you are working on consecutive CVs within the same index range, is to ALWAYS set the indices first (DecoderPro does this, so each read or write is a threesome). Using DecoderPro or the LokProgrammer completely removes all of this from the user.

    Also, please note, there are NCE throttles out there which cannot properly access the indexed CVs due to microcode issues in the throttle.
     
  19. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks that helps but to be clear if I'm using DecoderPro or LokProgrammer (have both) I'll find that I don't need to set the index registers 31 and 32?

    Sumner
     
  20. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Correct, DecoderPro takes care of that for you, just adjust the settings on the tabs and write the changes. Note: make sure you have read all the CVs first, or imported them from LokProgrammer, so that your “as is” is in your JMRI roster entry (see below). And LokProgrammer uses a completely different and proprietary method of writing which is how it only takes a couple minutes to write all the CVS at once.

    since you have LP and JMRI, if you don’t have a current roster entry for a loco, use LP to Read Decoder data into a project, then export the CV list. Switch to DecoderPro, and import the CV list you just saved into the roster entry for the loco. This saves lots of time, and gives you a complete snapshot of your current settings quickly.
     
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