For anyone interrested. I added both  the EMD GP 38-2 and EMD GP 40  to the Soundtraxx Bachmann SoundValue definition to be included in the next test release of JMRI 4.3.6. 

I worked with someone who had a Bachmann GP 40 SoundValue to get it right as the provided documentation had holes in it.

It was fun figuring out how GITHUB works to get the definition included in the next release.

Marc 

Rich, 

Expolded parts diagrams are certainly helpful.  But, because none of the parts diagrams showed or mention the cab roof as a removable part  let alone any screw , latch or whatever, I really did not think it would help him along at all. 

Before posting,  I looked at all the diagrams for the USRA 0-6-0. and none show cab roof removal or hints to it. 

Now I did  not  quite understand taking the roof off to get at the decoder mind you. 

Jonathan's link was certainly the most helpful of all for Bob.

If I offended, was not meant too.

Marc   

Resetting the decoder in this case was a tad drastic.   

Your problem had probably more to do with momentum; CV3 and CV4.  The accel rate is dictated by CV3. The decel rate by CV4.  That does not change from decoder to decoder.  The value range is 0 (off) to 255 in both cases. With a  value of 255 it will take close to 4 minute to go from 0 to full speed and same amount to go from full speed to 0.

Marc

Do not know how picky you are but the new Econami does have the EMD 567 non-turbo.  As per Soundtraxx, the Tsunami is end of life and not in production. Until 6 of May you also get 10$ off on the Econami.   

It is much less expensive than the ESU.  I have nothing against ESU mind you, the are  a good decoder with great sounds and well appreciated,  not in my preferred  price range.  Maybe not yours

Marc

Quote from: alcofan1 on May 02, 2016, 06:13:56 AM
If its the frogs how would I fix them?

If your turnouts have metal frog, you should be able to supply power to the frog.  if the frog is plastic, nothing can be done. Polarity is an issue.

I have some Atlas track with metal frog. I simply filled the provided hole with low temp solder and while solder was hot pushed the wire up. Itt is not great but it does supply power to the frog.  They are white metal frogs so solder does not hold fast.  Better than a big fat screw.  My other turnouts are a tad more $$ and I solder direct to frog.   

Other than that, it is a question of providing additional track pick up wipers to the engine if possible.

Marc

Quote from: electrical whiz kid on April 30, 2016, 06:41:55 AM
One sure-fire way to fix the problems of loose connectors, is to hard-wire between the decoder and it's respective functions.  However; I might point out that a decoder tester project would serve you well.  There are several variations of the same theme in-what else?-several mags pertaining to this hobby.
I champion hard-wiring just for peace of mind-not piece of mind.  The "KISS" approach works very well in this hobby...

Rich C.

A decoder tester is valuable only for decoders. Since Bachmann  uses an  on-board receiver mother board with a 8pin, medium,  NMRA compliant socket, a tester is pointless. If a wire pops off the mother board, you have to figure it out on your own. 

Decoder tester does not help find out where the connection was done, it will only show you that something is not working.  You are missing a wire to test with. 

To test a decoder, all you need is a lamp or and resistor.  But if your decoder is missing a lead, you are screwed unless you have second one to compare too.

Marc

Check to see where and why  exactly it stalls..

Could be out of gauge wheels sets.   Could frog related (un-powered frogs). Could be track pickup. Could be combination all of the above.

Marc

" If guys would go to the other parts of this site-like information, or parts, they would really be pleasantly surprised.  "

But it still would not answer his question. A parts diagram is great but in this case, of little benefit. And the same goes for both available diagrams.

Marc

There is no such schematic and you will have to make your own. Not all that complicated as it is only 2 wires for motor, 2 wires for power, 2 wires for headlight, 2 wires for taillight (if equipped).  You can trace all this from 8 pin NMRA socket right to the output.

Some say the on-board capacitor(s) need removing, I've ran them with no such removal and they worked fine.

Some say any motor mounted capacitor(s) should be removed. 

That said I remove all the hardware on the circuit board and place a bridge where needed, leaving only the resistors for HD/ TL light and the NMRA socket.

http://pages.videotron.com/forfou/002.jpg

Marc

If you look carefully at the board, all solder points are identified

M+, M-  = motor
L+, L-   = light (usually front light)
+, -      =  rear light ( usually at opposite end of board.

All other silk screened info is for resistor (R), diode (D), capacitor (C).  Related connection points are next to each other you will also notice.

Of the 3 removed boards I have (replaced with hardwired decoder) they all follow  the same silk screen rule.

Marc

Depends what decoder your engines have. 

If this is the 4-8-2 Heavy with Bachmann Tsunami,  it only has 2 outputs; head and tail light. More outputs are required to get your fire box flicker.

If this is a True Soundtraxx Tsunami, the additional ouputs are present.  Are they wired up ?  If they are, then it is a question of setting up the other output  to enable fire box flicker.

Simple way to find out, READ  CV7. if it returns a value of 80, it is the Bachmann variant TSU and you can forget the fire box flicker.

Other idea that comes to mind, burnt out incandescent bulb.  As I recall (from memory of disassembly) this is also used in the Shay (Tsu)  but driven off motor voltage.

Marc

Having installed those Tsunami decoders in a few IHC 2-6-0's and having the 80t 3 truck Shay myself, I don't see how one  would fit the decoder,  speaker and wires  into the Shay tender.

Add to that the need to solder the NMRA 8 pin connector or find a way to connect the Tsunami.  I've done it for the 2-6-0 IHC. not for the faint at heart.

The new Micro Tsunami will be a  better fit when they are availlable.

And yes they are both decoder and sound chip

Notice the same thing on my 2-8-0 tsunami Bachmann.  Short of tearig it apart to mesure voltage we'll have to wait and see what they answer us here.  It seems to be an LED by the looks of it.

If you have the Soundtraxx Tsunami 2-8-0,  all the wires a black. You'll have to figure it out or have a short.   NO wiring diagram availlable to peruse that I could find.

2 wires from around  the draw bar are for power pickup. All others are motor and that dim led.

Alanc. I'am totally with you.

Mine, new from last week, has exact same issue.  The 2-8-0 Tsunami DCC Spectrum has receptacles on the tender for the 2 cable bundles from the engine, no external wires from tender.

Tucking the wires back in means taking the engine apart as the 2 bundles are in different sections of engine.  One bundle is for pickup. Other is for the LED and motor. 

Alanc did you get any instructions on how or what to lube in you box.  All I have is quick ref, the CD,  the exploded view and warranty papers that state I must lube the engine or void the warranty.  Show me were/how  to lube and I will.

I tried to phone Bachmann support. Ring, ring, ring, ring.

Disapointed

Oh yes. I'm still looking for Fireman Fred.  He's buried in the user/programing guide somewhere,  i hope.  Maybe in the mixer CV's