Atlas S2

[mark dance]

There are two basic bell speed settings that ESU uses: a fast bell and a slow bell.  The base bell ring rate is selected using CV48, which also selects the prime mover sound file (if there is more than one - some sound files have multiple prime mover sounds) and the horn.  I suspect the S-2 has the fast bell pre-selected.  If you read CV48, you will probably find that the value is >64.   A value of 64 in CV48 selects the fast bell.  So, read CV48, then subtract 64 from the number you get on the read, and then enter that number (the difference) as the new value for CV48.  That new value will preserve the prime mover and horn sound, but select the slow bell ring rate.

If you read pages 33-34 of the LokSound Select Users Manual, it will describe the programming of CV48 in more detail.  Page 32 of the manual lists the various air horns that can be selected.  The general programming for CV 48 follows the following pattern.  0 (prime mover 1) + air horn number (1-15)+64 (for fast bell) or 0 (for slow bell) + 128 (to change brake squeal sound from the default to #2).   So, for example, say that you wanted the Leslie A200 air horn, slow bell, and you're happy with the brake squeal sound.  To get this, you would enter "6" in CV48 (0 for prime mover 1; 6 for the air horn; 0 for slow bell; and 0 for Brake Squeal #1).  If you wanted the fast bell, you would enter a value of 70: 0 (for prime mover 1) + 6 for the horn + 64 for the fast bell.

You can further customize the bell ring rate after selecting either the base fast bell or slow bell.  This is described on page 34 of the manual.  To do this, you first have to enter the value of "1" in CV32, then you adjust the ring rate using CV 285.   Obviously, you'll need a way to access CV's above 254; you can do this with a Digitrax DT402 throttle; you can also do it with JMRI.  Not sure what other DCC systems have this capability.

John C.

This worked great...thx John!

md

[mark dance]

Well the S2's first Ops session was last night and all three passed with flying colours.  The two Nelson yard operators - both very familiar with the previous SW1200 yard power - gave them enthusiastic thumbs up.  The increased pulling power was greatly appreciated as was the sound and more prototypical selection of Alcos for the roles.  Slow speed-wise, they may have been even slightly better.  The yard tracks were not cleaned before the session and I believe there were only two minor stalls over a 3+ hour session both of which were remedied in a few seconds by cleaning the points on the offending Peco turnouts.

Nice work Atlas!  Demanding customers satisfied!

md

[central.vermont]

There are two basic bell speed settings that ESU uses: a fast bell and a slow bell.  The base bell ring rate is selected using CV48, which also selects the prime mover sound file (if there is more than one - some sound files have multiple prime mover sounds) and the horn.  I suspect the S-2 has the fast bell pre-selected.  If you read CV48, you will probably find that the value is >64.   A value of 64 in CV48 selects the fast bell.  So, read CV48, then subtract 64 from the number you get on the read, and then enter that number (the difference) as the new value for CV48.  That new value will preserve the prime mover and horn sound, but select the slow bell ring rate.

If you read pages 33-34 of the LokSound Select Users Manual, it will describe the programming of CV48 in more detail.  Page 32 of the manual lists the various air horns that can be selected.  The general programming for CV 48 follows the following pattern.  0 (prime mover 1) + air horn number (1-15)+64 (for fast bell) or 0 (for slow bell) + 128 (to change brake squeal sound from the default to #2).   So, for example, say that you wanted the Leslie A200 air horn, slow bell, and you're happy with the brake squeal sound.  To get this, you would enter "6" in CV48 (0 for prime mover 1; 6 for the air horn; 0 for slow bell; and 0 for Brake Squeal #1).  If you wanted the fast bell, you would enter a value of 70: 0 (for prime mover 1) + 6 for the horn + 64 for the fast bell.

You can further customize the bell ring rate after selecting either the base fast bell or slow bell.  This is described on page 34 of the manual.  To do this, you first have to enter the value of "1" in CV32, then you adjust the ring rate using CV 285.   Obviously, you'll need a way to access CV's above 254; you can do this with a Digitrax DT402 throttle; you can also do it with JMRI.  Not sure what other DCC systems have this capability.

John C.

Thank you for this info John. I will try this when I get a chance.

Jon

[jdcolombo]

Thank you for this info John. I will try this when I get a chance.

Jon

Also, I should have noted that when you enter a new value for CV48, you need to cycle power to have it take effect.   Not an issue if you are programming on a programming track, but if you are doing ops mode programming on the main, the new value for CV48 won't take effect until you cycle power to the engine (e.g., lift one side, then put it back).

John C.

[peteski]

Also, I should have noted that when you enter a new value for CV48, you need to cycle power to have it take effect.   Not an issue if you are programming on a programming track, but if you are doing ops mode programming on the main, the new value for CV48 won't take effect until you cycle power to the engine (e.g., lift one side, then put it back).

John C.

Geez! You need reboot the decoder after an update?!  Is it running MS Windows inside?!?!   

My 3-finger salute to the ESU! 

Seriously though, that kind of makes the whole idea of ops-mode programming pointless.  The whole idea for ops-mode is to see the changes happen on a live decoder.

[jdcolombo]

Geez! You need reboot the decoder after an update?!  Is it running MS Windows inside?!?!   

My 3-finger salute to the ESU! 

Seriously though, that kind of makes the whole idea of ops-mode programming pointless.  The whole idea for ops-mode is to see the changes happen on a live decoder.

Yes, I agree this is strange.  It is only with CV48, however.   Things like sound levels, chuff rate adjustment, speed curve adjustment and so forth take effect immediately.  I think the CV48 issue is because it causes the decoder to load/execute different code for the sound slots. For example, the EMD V16 567 file has two different prime mover files: one has the distinctive manual transition where the prime mover throttles down between notches 3-4 and then throttles back up, while the second is the auto transition version.   If you change CV48 to select the auto transition version over the manual transition, then different sound code has to be loaded in sound slot 1 (the prime mover slot).  I think that's why the reboot.  Everything else is simply adjusting the execution of already-loaded code (volume; bell ring rate; chuff rate; etc.).

John C.

[peteski]

Good explanation - makes sense.

[Joetrain59]

Is there any way to make the DC/Analog version better at slower starts?
 Thanks,
 Joe D

[peteski]

Is there any way to make the DC/Analog version better at slower starts?
 Thanks,
 Joe D

Use a DC power-pack/throttle which has pulse-power at low speeds.

[Joetrain59]

I have an MRC pack with "Momentum". Thought pulse was not good for these smaller motors?
 Thanks Peteski.
 Joe D

[peteski]

I have an MRC pack with "Momentum". Thought pulse was not good for these smaller motors?
 Thanks Peteski.
 Joe D

Pulse is iffy when used with coreless motors. Small motors (like the one in S2) still have iron-core rotor. Pulse is fine with those.