09-01-2014, 09:28 AM
I've never owned any of the purple monsters, but they do look larger than needed. The drop in decoders prove that it can be done differently.
Now, if you find you struggle to get good switching performance out of your other Tsunami's, don't fret, they can be tamed. However take your time, and don't let the thing defeat you.
The advanced motor control parameters are your best bet.
How to's :
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nmra.org.au/gndu/EasyDCC/Decoders.pdf">http://www.nmra.org.au/gndu/EasyDCC/Decoders.pdf</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.mrdccu.com/curriculum/soundtraxx/tsunami.htm">http://www.mrdccu.com/curriculum/soundtraxx/tsunami.htm</a><!-- m -->
And lastly a set up procedure as performed by my friend Brian Moore, who writes:
Soundtraxx Tsunami decoders have great sounds, but can blight a locomotive with "herky-jerky" sudden starts and stops, which (for me, anyway) completely ruin the effect of operating model trains, especially when we've spent so much time and effort to make everything else look "real".
The BM Tsunami method:
Start with everything set at factory default, and input 50 into CV209. Then, put 1 into CV210.
Set the loco to travel at speed step one (using a 28-step speed input), and then increase the value of 210 until it runs smoothly. You may also consider reducing CV209 after that, to get it crawling along, without hesitation. After you're happy, you can then install any custom speed-curve using CV25 and CV29.
Note that, for getting the best results from a Tsunami (or any other sound decoder), some "delay" via CV3 and CV4 is required. This will also assist with smooth starts and stops. My usual values are CV3, 50-80, CV4, 30-50.
Depending on the make and model of locomotive, these two CV values should be tested in various combinations until satisfaction is attained. Note that each individual locomotive should be tested; don't assume that if one set of CV settings works in one loco, an "identical" one will perform in the same way.
Here's my Tsunami-equipped Atlas RS11. For starting and stopping, go to 3.00:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dN4VrOjNboI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... N4VrOjNboI</a><!-- m -->
When starting, I just hike the Lenz controller up to speed step 7, and the delay in CV3 means it sets off smoothly.
Now, if you find you struggle to get good switching performance out of your other Tsunami's, don't fret, they can be tamed. However take your time, and don't let the thing defeat you.
The advanced motor control parameters are your best bet.
How to's :
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nmra.org.au/gndu/EasyDCC/Decoders.pdf">http://www.nmra.org.au/gndu/EasyDCC/Decoders.pdf</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.mrdccu.com/curriculum/soundtraxx/tsunami.htm">http://www.mrdccu.com/curriculum/soundtraxx/tsunami.htm</a><!-- m -->
And lastly a set up procedure as performed by my friend Brian Moore, who writes:
Soundtraxx Tsunami decoders have great sounds, but can blight a locomotive with "herky-jerky" sudden starts and stops, which (for me, anyway) completely ruin the effect of operating model trains, especially when we've spent so much time and effort to make everything else look "real".
The BM Tsunami method:
Start with everything set at factory default, and input 50 into CV209. Then, put 1 into CV210.
Set the loco to travel at speed step one (using a 28-step speed input), and then increase the value of 210 until it runs smoothly. You may also consider reducing CV209 after that, to get it crawling along, without hesitation. After you're happy, you can then install any custom speed-curve using CV25 and CV29.
Note that, for getting the best results from a Tsunami (or any other sound decoder), some "delay" via CV3 and CV4 is required. This will also assist with smooth starts and stops. My usual values are CV3, 50-80, CV4, 30-50.
Depending on the make and model of locomotive, these two CV values should be tested in various combinations until satisfaction is attained. Note that each individual locomotive should be tested; don't assume that if one set of CV settings works in one loco, an "identical" one will perform in the same way.
Here's my Tsunami-equipped Atlas RS11. For starting and stopping, go to 3.00:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dN4VrOjNboI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... N4VrOjNboI</a><!-- m -->
When starting, I just hike the Lenz controller up to speed step 7, and the delay in CV3 means it sets off smoothly.
Be sure to visit my model railroad blog at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.namrr.blogspot.com">http://www.namrr.blogspot.com</a><!-- m -->