Can "DCC Sound On Board" Locos be run on DC?

[LuthierTom]

Can "DCC Sound On Board" locomotives be run on a DC layout?

[ABC]

Some can some can't it just depends on whether the decoder is dual (Dc & DCC) or single mode (DCC only). Usually older decoders are single mode while, the newer the decoder the greater the odds it is dual mode. So if you have a loco with a single mode decoder it will not run at all on DC layouts. However, if you have a loco with a decoder that is dual mode, it will run fine on both DC and DCC layouts. However, you will not have complete control of the sounds if you are running the loco on a DC layout.. Some manufacturers offer a control box/module for separate sale for DC use that allows you to control sound effects, but Bachmann is not one of them.  All Bachmann DCC locos with OEM decoders are dual mode.

[Jim Banner]

Yes, the vast majority of Bachmann DCC and sound locomotives can be run on dc.  For best results, use filtered dc.  Power packs with pulse output will not work.

Analogue conversion works with all locomotives with Bachmann type Tsunami decoders and the newer ones with Soundtraxx type Tsunami.  There are reports of some older locomotives with non-Tsunami sound decoders that did not, so if in doubt, ask.

Not only do these locomotives run on dc, many of the sounds will work on dc as well.  The decoder does have to be properly programmed for this but anyone experienced in decoder programming and having access to a suitable DCC system can do this for you.  For a better understanding of what sounds to expect and how you can control them with a dc system, see the Tsunami Digital Sound Decoder OEM Steam Sound User's Guide, starting on page 49.  This manual is available on line at this link:
http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals/OEM%20Steam%20Users%20Guide.pdf

Incidentally, given a choice, I tend to believe the manufacturer's manuals even though they are not written in large red letters.

Jim

[pdlethbridge]

If they have lots of pictures I can use my crayolas

[ABC]

Automatic Sound Functions
Tsunami provides the ability to generate several sound functions
automatically. This is especially useful when your controller lacks a sufficient
number of function keys to control all of Tsunami's sound effects or when
using Tsunami on a (DC powered) where there are no function controls at all!
There are six CVs associated with the Automatic Sound Functions:
CV 193, Automatic Bell On Set Point
CV 194, Automatic Bell Off Set Point
CV 195, Grade Crossing Whistle Sensitivity
CV 196. Brake Squeal Sensitivity
CV 197, Analog Mode Automatic Sound Configuration
CV 198, Digital Mode Automatic Sound Configuration
Automatic Sound Configuration Register
CV 197 selects which automatic sound functions are enabled when the
decoder is operating in analog or DC mode. CV 198 similarly configures the
automated sound functions for DCC operation.
There are five automated sound functions available:
Automatic Whistle Signals - Whenever the locomotive is stopped or started,
Tsunami will produce the correct whistle signal appropriate for the direction of
travel:
One short toot = Stop
Two Medium Toots = Forward
Three Short Toots = Reverse
Automatic Grade Crossing Signal - When enabled, Tsunami will play a grade
crossing signal (two long whistle blasts followed by a short and another long)
triggered by a sudden upward spike in the throttle.
Automatic Bell - Tsunami can be programmed to turn the bell on and off at
preset speed points such as might occur when passing through a yard or
station platform.
Automatic Steam Release - This feature causes a short steam release to
sound whenever Tsunami is brought to a stop.
Automatic Brake Squeal - The brake squeal is activated by slowing the train
down by a predetermined amount.
Automatic Bell Set Points
CV 193 and 194 determine the speed steps (or equivalent throttle voltages
when operating in analog mode) at which the automatic bell turns on and off
respectively and may be set anywhere between 1 and 126 corresponding to
the speed step of the same value. CV 194, the bell off set point, must be set
to a value greater than CV 193 or else the bell will not turn on.
Example: Set CV 193 to 5 and CV 194 to 10. With these settings the bell
will initially be off when the engine is stopped. As the locomotive speed is
increased, the bell will turn on once the throttle setting reaches speed step
5. The bell will remain on so long as the engine is operated between speed
steps 5 and 10. Increasing the throttle beyond speed step 10 or below speed
step 5 will turn the bell back off. Once the bell has been turned off, it can be
turned back on by lowering the speed to the same setting as in CV 193.
Crossing Whistle Sensitivity
The automatic grade crossing whistle is activated whenever Tsunami senses
a sudden increase in the throttle setting (or track voltage in analog mode) as
set by the value in CV 195. This CV can be set to any value between 0 and
126 but for practical purposes, you will likely want a value between 3 and 10.
Too low a setting will result in the whistle going off at every speed increase
and too high a setting will require an extreme change in the throttle to trigger the sound.
Analog Mode Operation
When analog mode is enabled, you may control your locomotive using
an ordinary power-pack though operation will be a bit different than when
running non-decoder equipped locomotives.
With the power pack's throttle set to zero, Tsunami will be silent as it has
no power. The throttle must be turned up to around 5 volts or so to provide
sufficient voltage to power up Tsunami's internal circuitry. At this point, you
will begin to hear the background sounds such as the blower and airpump
start.
Increasing the throttle further to around 7.5 volts or so will set the locomotive
in motion, increasing speed as the throttle is increased. Note that the
direction can only be changed when the locomotive is stopped. Load
compensation is also disabled when operating in analog mode, as is the
cam-synchronized exhaust chuff. When in analog mode, the Tsunami always
reverts to auto exhaust using the chuff rate setting in CV 116.
When operating in analog mode, be careful not exceed Tsunami's input
voltage rating of 27 volts. When your track voltage exceeds 21 volts, Tsunami
will automatically shut down and begin flashing Error Code 10 on both its
diagnostic light as well as the headlight and backup light. When you see this
condition, back down on the throttle immediately.
Important: Tsunami will work best in analog mode when using a high
quality, electronically regulated power pack, preferably one that supplies
smooth, filtered DC power. Older rheostat style power packs and pulse power
packs will result in erratic and unreliable operation and should not be used
with the Tsunami sound decoder. If your power pack provides a Pulse power
switch, leave it in the 'Off' position.
Depending on the quality of the power pack's track voltage, some automatic
sound functions such as the grade crossing whistle may require a higher
sensitivity setting than needed for DCC operation to avoid continual triggering
of the sound effect. This excerpt was obtained from the Soundtraxx website, and is the sole property of Soundtraxx I am not claiming to own nor do I own the ideas in this excerpt nor am I in any way associated with this excerpt.

Maybe better put is that you do not have full control of the sounds, I did not clearly articulate what I was trying to communicate. But, this should help you out if you have a friend with an advanced DCC system.

[Jim Banner]

Yes, the vast majority of Bachmann DCC and sound locomotives can be run on dc.

Analogue conversion works with all locomotives with Bachmann type Tsunami decoders and the newer ones with Soundtraxx type Tsunami.
Jim

Possibly in his rush to post ABC missed that I limited my answer specifically to Bachmann products because the original poster did not specify a brand.  Or possibly he did not realize that any brand of locomotive fitted with a Bachmann OEM Tsunami decoder could be expected to operate similarly.  I do not know.  And I am not particularly concerned one way or the other.  What did and does concern me is that the original poster should receive a correct response indicating what he could and could not expect from a locomotive which one could presume was a Bachmann product as he asked his question on the Bachmann board.  I am glad to see that ABC has modified his original post to better reflect reality and has removed his large, red lettering in the process.  I see too that he has copied and pasted the relevant parts from the manual I referred to (or from something very similar).  I must admit I thought of doing this but did not want to involve Bachmann in copyright infringement by having part of the manual extensively quoted without permission.

Jim