Spectrum 2-10-2 With Sound

[Chemdawg]

I'm curious to know EXACTLY what decoder comes in the Spectrum 2-10-2 USRA light with sound. SUPPOSEDLY it's a Tsunami decoder. Howerver, I've been playing around with my zephyr DCS 51 and Digitrax PR3 interface, along with JMRI, and NOTHING can read this decoder. I can't even program it with the Digitrax Zephyr.

 

[tankist]

this is tsunami OEM decoder (with reduced feature set),
you need to program it in OPs mode, there is not enough power in program mode.

 

[Chemdawg]

It won't read or write. Its like it won't respond at all. Here is an example.

I'm using a digitraz zephyr. So I hit Program mode till it says OPS.
Then I hit Loco once so it says AD2
Then I hit CV-RD which should give me back the address. It just sits there flashing Ad2 and does nothing.

I didn't realize that a company that has been around as long as bachmann would make such garbage. Time to dump it off for something of quality.

 

[lmackattack]

From what I know its a TSU-1000 but does not have every sound option as the ones sold at a Hobby shop. I have a Spectrum Steam engine with factory sound and it has a few less sound options and motor control options than that of the TSU decoders I bought at the LHS. Regardless I can run my Spectrum Tsuanmi equipped decoder with my other Small Steam and they sound just the same. Clear and crisp sound no complaints!

 

[lmackattack]

I should note that I cant read back some sound decoders with my MRC DCC system. I would need a booster to do so. this is common with the new sound decoders used with some older DCC systems

 

[tankist]

It won't read or write. Its like it won't respond at all.

of course it will not respond, there is no such thing as CV read-back in OPs mode.

I should note that I cant read back some sound decoders with my MRC DCC system. ...

not only you there is no readback for those decoders, at least not on OPs mode. not sure if there is readback on program track with that special program track booster)


for purpose of read-back QSI has system that verbally announces what was just programmed into it. tsunami doesn't, at least not my OEM one

 

[Chemdawg]

The loco works great. I'm trying to change the address of the loco through my zephyr unit. I can't even do that. Does anyone know how? I might be going about this all wrong.

 

[Selector]

AD2 flashing should mean it is prompting you to input the short address ( a numeral less than 127). If your intended address is higher, you need to click something to get it to AD4 flashing, and then input the extended address. When you cick 'enter', or whatever it is on the Z, the power should shut down...at least it does for my SEB's DT400 throttles, but also I do this in Paged Mode per Digitrax's recommendations.

If the power doesn't go off, you do it! Power off, then restore power, go back into Ops Mode, change CV289 to "34" if you will only want DCC operations for the loco. Then, you should be able to acquire the new extended address.

 

[Cjcrescent]

No, you can't read back in OPS mode. Doesn't matter what decoder it is. Sound or Non-sound.

Read the instructions on changing the address that came with the Zephyr in OPS mode. With a sound decoder, that is the only way to program anything into it.

 

[Don7]

I have this engine with the sound as well. It is a great running and sounding engine. I have only used two digits for my address changes and have had no problems.

 

[Chemdawg]

I'll have to play with it again. I tried changing it the digitrax method, and the method that came with the train. Believe it or not, I read ALL of my manuals from cover to cover. I made notes on things like this. I didn't seem to get anywhere with it. But I will try it again. Maybe I was having a brain fart today or something.

 

[Cjcrescent]

Hang in there Chemdawg, you'll get it. If you can't, are there any modelers close by that can assist you with this? You may want to get on to the Digitrax group on Yahoo. Several times they have helped me a lot with my questions.

 

[tankist]

just a note, there might be special way to asign long adresses.
in order to do that on atlas QSI i had to touch total of 6 different CVs and use Hex calculator to calculate proper value for two of them (well, a quick online calculator)
read instructions... good luck

 

[Capndick]

I have a tsnunami in my bachmann K-4, it came set up for a 4 digit address...it made me crazy till I tried that....I left it that way. Try inputting it 4 digits.
Dick

 

[fast_ian]

Hey,

I wonder if CSXRoberts "blast mode" would allow it to be read on the prog track?;

Blast mode works similar to a DB150 in that it does full power service mode programming. It is enabled by setting OpSw 07 to 'c'(it is undocumented, but available, in the original Zephyr and slightly documeted in the Zephyr Xtra). Everything else must be removed from the layout because the programming commands are sent out the main track outputs as well as the program track outputs.

Questioning this statement in this thread; http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21940&page=2

never elicited a response unfortunately, beyond being told "do it write only in Ops mode" on the main - Doesn't help get the values into JMRI was what I was trying to get at......

Cheers,
Ian

 

[fast_ian]

So, I went and grabbed the Zephyr Xtra manual, and as CSXRobert noted, it is "somewhat" documented

OpSw 07 [Factory setting 't'] ; Changing to "c"=Blast Mode programming allows DCS51 to program sound decoders that require more power than is available in Service Mode programming.

I don't have the problem (yet ), but reckon it's gotta be worth a try [If you haven't already?] - Particularly as you've got an Xtra - It's no longer an undocumented-feature!.....

Cheers,
Ian

 

[Cjcrescent]

I've spent some time this morning on the Digitrax group on Yahoo. There was a discussion on how to set it up, which works only on the Zephyr and not their other units, but nowhere in the discussion can I find whether or not you can read back CV's.

Basically, my impression is all blast does is run OPs mode power to the programming track as well as the main. So, if that is all it does, why even bother to set it up? Just use the JMRI, and make your changes there, one "tab" at a time.

You will still have to adjust one CV at a time and then test to see if it took, if not using JMRI.

 

[fast_ian]

... Just use the JMRI, and make your changes there, one "tab" at a time.

You will still have to adjust one CV at a time and then test to see if it took, if not using JMRI.

+1

However, my understanding from the OP was that not even JMRI could read it. Hopefully, setting OpSw7=c then allows the use of direct mode (on the prog track, everything still removed from the layout) and the "high power" being supplied allows JMRI to work it's magic - I dunno, and can't test it , but reckon it's gotta be worth a try.....

Cheers,
Ian

 

[fast_ian]

So, I checked the JMRI group;

1 - [Saint] Bob Jacobsen has added it to the command station setup tab in JMRI - You can t&c OpSw7 from there.

Furthermore;

....Go ahead and enter Direct programming mode and try programming. Blast mode uses full power to program just like the Empire Builder. When finished, Throw option switch 7 to turn off blast mode. You do not want to leave the Zephyr in blast mode."

Seems like it should do the trick!..... Please report back

Cheers,
Ian

 

[Chemdawg]

I believe I have to be really really stupid with this digitrax zephyr!! I cannot program any of my 4 dcc locos at ALL with this unit. I tried Direct, Ops, and I turned on the blast. I cannot change the address of any of them. I used my Bachmann DCC controler, adn it worked fine to program three of my locos. I haven't tried the Spectrum yet.

I became a member on the digitrax yahoo page, but Im having a hard time navigating the page to find what I'm looking for.....