ESU Posts new Full Throttle Files, including UP 844

[reinhardtjh]

Oh yeah!  I wonder if the new M-630 sound file can be uploaded into my three M-630s currently on Dave's workbench - the decoders date from 2014.


Tim

They have to be either LokSound V4.0 or Selects.  If they are the LokSound 3.5 series, then no.  The V4.0 and Select were introduced in the 2010/2011 time frame so hopefully yours are new enough.

[jdcolombo]

Oh yeah!  I wonder if the new M-630 sound file can be uploaded into my three M-630s currently on Dave's workbench - the decoders date from 2014.


Tim

Hi Tim.

My recollection is that these have LokSound Select decoders in them, so yes, you (or Dave) can update the sound file with a LokProgrammer.

John C.

[BCR 570]

Hi John

Yes the decoders in my M-630s are Select Micros, but I don't think they are the new V4. 

Forgive me if this is a silly question, but can the new files be downloaded from the ESU website or do they have to be purchased?


Tim

[jdcolombo]

Hi John

Yes the decoders in my M-630s are Select Micros, but I don't think they are the new V4. 

Forgive me if this is a silly question, but can the new files be downloaded from the ESU website or do they have to be purchased?


Tim

You can download them for free from the web site.

John C.

[BCR 570]

You can download them for free from the web site.

John C.

Thank you - what is the correct procedure for doing this; does the existing sound file have to be deleted first, or is it overwritten when the new file is uploaded to the decoder?

My decoders in the M-630s are V 4.15.9246 and Dave's programmer is V 4.6.0 - does this help you determine if they will accept the new files?


Thank you,

Tim

[RBrodzinsky]

Tim, yes, the LokProgrammer will first update the firmware in the decoder, and then overwrite the sound clips and CVs from the new file.

[robert3985]

Hi folks.

Matt Hermann has posted a bunch of new Full Throttle files on the ESU web site, including a completely new sound file for the UP FEF from his recording last year of 844.  I currently have a first-generation Tsunami in my FEF, but I might have to install a LokSound and run wires to the boiler to take advantage of the new file.  He also has re-done the Challenger sound file, but this didn't come from a recent recording.

John C.

@jdcolombo John, I'll wait for your review on the new FEF files, but I've got high hopes!!  I've got several Kato and brass FEF's that need DCC/sound in them, and three Tsunami2 TSU-750's decoders which could have homes in several of my early Athearn Big Boys if I don't put 'em in the FEF's.   I'm also highly interested in the new Challenger files and hope that you plan on reviewing them too.

As always, your experience and advice are INVALUABLE!  Your efforts are highly appreciated! 

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[tehachapifan]

....As always, your experience and advice are INVALUABLE!  Your efforts are highly appreciated! 

Agreed! ESU should put John on the payroll!

[jdcolombo]

@jdcolombo John, I'll wait for your review on the new FEF files, but I've got high hopes!!  I've got several Kato and brass FEF's that need DCC/sound in them, and three Tsunami2 TSU-750's decoders which could have homes in several of my early Athearn Big Boys if I don't put 'em in the FEF's.   I'm also highly interested in the new Challenger files and hope that you plan on reviewing them too.

As always, your experience and advice are INVALUABLE!  Your efforts are highly appreciated! 

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

Testing out both the new Challenger and FEF files is on my list, but it will be a while before I get to it.  I don't even have a LokSound decoder in my FEF - so I might try out the file on one of my Berks (ouch - the thought of the UP steamboat whistle coming from NKP 765 is . . . unsettling . . .).  I do have a Challenger and a Big Boy, so I'll probably try the Challenger file first. 

John

[RBrodzinsky]

I am thinking my next up project is my 844.  Have been wanting to replace the TCS decoder in there.

[carlso]

I have loaded the new FEF sound file into the Select Micro that is installed in my FEF. The loco was set so that the chuffs were "right on" and the fool thing began moving at a very slow pace. I was perfectly happy with it bit not the "Heavy Steam" sound file that was installed. So. yes I just had to load the "new" FEF file and so far I am not totally satisfied with the results. I do have the Lokprogrammer. Yes, the playable whistle is pretty much right on, bell is OK. My problem is the chuffs. I can't get but one per revolution.

I have adjusted CV's #52,53,54,55 to get a smooth running and it is darn close to what I want, probably one or two small tweaks and it will be fine. I have tried to adjust CV 57,58 to get the chuffs correct with no luck. The thing runs well but one chuff/revolution just doesn't fit a 60 mph loco.

Any comments or suggestions are much appreciated,

Carl

[RBrodzinsky]

Carl, isn't it supposed to be 4 chuffs per revolution?  I usually find CV57=~80 gets me there, so you might be able to get to 2 (CV57~170), but there isn't enough range to get down to 1

[peteski]

Carl, isn't it supposed to be 4 chuffs per revolution?  I usually find CV57=~80 gets me there, so you might be able to get to 2 (CV57~170), but there isn't enough range to get down to 1

I think the problem with N scale steam sound in general is that we run our models way too fast.  What we visually perceive as something like 60 Smiles/hr scales to probably twice that speed. At that speed 4 chuffs/rev will sound like constant hiss from the sound decoder.  So I've seen modelers reduce number of chuffs per revolution of the drivers so the loco sounds better when going at speed.

[Cajonpassfan]

Well Pete, that maybe true, but that's not the "problem" here. The problem is that Carl can't get the chuff to sync to anywhere near 4cpr, and that would just kill it for me and those of us who do run at scale speeds. I sure hope the ESU FT can be adjusted to closer to 4cpr because at 1cpr it's useless....

As to the "problem"you note, that's what you get at large display layouts in warehouses and convention centers; N scale just gets lost in the enormity of the spaces and running fast (and loud) is seen by some as a way of overcoming that... I much prefer smaller, private layouts in more intimate and manageable spaces...
Otto K.

[peteski]

Well Pete, that maybe true, but that's not the "problem" here. The problem is that Carl can't get the chuff to sync to anywhere near 4cpr, and that would just kill it for me and these of us who do run at scale speeds. I sure hope the ESU FT can be adjusted to closer to 4cpr because at 1cpr it's useless....

As to the "problem"you note, that's what you get at large display layouts in warehouses and convention centers; N scale just gets lost in the enormity of the spaces and running fast (and loud) is seen by some as a way of overcoming that... I much prefer smaller, private layouts in more intimate and manageable spaces...
Otto K.

Well, the real problem is that the decoder doesn't seem to have a wide enough range of chuff sync adjustment. 
As far as the other comment you made, there is more than one personal layout I have visited or operated on where models run at excessive speeds. So, your NTRAK-type of stereotypical comment not quite accurate for me.