Reprogramming factory Atlas ESU sound decoder / Change sound file?

[bdennis]

I emailed the following question to Loksound and have not had a reply. Any advice from you guys would be appreciated. I dont want to brick a sound decoder.

I currently own both the new Atlas N scale GP38 with factory ESU sound and a Atlas N scale GP39-2 locos with factory ESU sound.
I am a big fan of the new GP38 / GP38-2 sound file over the GP39-2 sound. (Grew up with the non turbo 645 engine, all be it here in Australia)

I checked the Loksound web page for factory sound file downloads but cant find the factory Atlas GP38/GP38-2 sound file as I would like to replace the sound file in the GP39-2 with a GP38 and the swap the body of the GP39-2 with a non sound GP38-2 that I have.
I did find a sound file (EMD 16-645E 4EXH NT or EMD 16-645E 2EXH NT Ed4) that I could use but it is not a factory one.

I have a Lok programmer in order to replace the sound file on the decoder, so no issue there.

I guess the key question is.. can I just install any version 5 sound file onto the factory installed ESU decoder that comes with the Atlas N scale loco's?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Wolf N Works]

No issue that I am aware of. I have replaced 4 just recently.

Just make sure you download the correct replacement file. V4 Select Direct / Micro for example
Just wanted to add I believe the Atlas are all version 4 Select Direct / Micro.

[reinhardtjh]

The ESU LokSound decoder in the Atlas locomotives is the 73199 Select Direct Micro OEM.  The only sound files you can load are Select files from the ESU site.  The LokSound V4 and V5 files will not work and the LokProgrammer software will not allow you to do so.  You will get  some sort of error message.

You may pick any file from "LokSound Select Retail Soundfiles" ==> http://projects.esu.eu/projectoverviews/2
and "LokSound North American & Australian Factory Equipped Sound files" ==> http://projects.esu.eu/projectoverviews/6

I don't see any Atlas Select files for the GP38 or GP39 so you will have to use the ESU files in the first list above.

Here's a search list of the GP38 files available.  Note that not all may be actual GP38 files. The search function lists any files with the mention of GP38 in it.
http://projects.esu.eu/projectoverviews/search?cat=2&q=gp38

[bdennis]

Thanks for the info guys. I will give it a crack. The LokSound Select Retail Soundfiles looks to have what I want.

[bdennis]

Loksound contacted me via email based on the email question I sent them. the correct Loksound GP38-2 file that is the same as the factory installed sound file for the GP38 / GP38-2 is not on their we page. They sent me the file so I could load it onto my loco.. (Thanks to the guys at Loksound). I have also asked for a copy of the GP39-2 sound file that is the factory one just in case I want to reload the GP39-2 sound file.

Now for the second small issue.
The New Atlas GP39-2 body is different to the GP38 and GP38-2 body in the internal length. The GP39-2 mech is slightly shorter.
The mech in the older GP38-2 that is non sound is about 1.6mm longer than the new Atlas Sound mech. So my plan to swap the body over between the GP39-2 with sound and the GP38-2 with out sound and  the older 1997 mech is an issue as the new GP39-2 shell does not fit on the old mech with out slight modification.
The GP38-2 shell does fit on the sound mech with no issues.
I have now reprogrammed the decoder to sound like a GP38-2.
I now need to just grind off the ends of the older mech to enable the GP39-2 body to fit on the old mech.

[bdennis]

Update:
On the GP39-2 body, there are 2 small plastic extensions next to the coupler box that was stopping the old mech from going into the body. I used a sharp knife to cut these extended sections off and the mech was able to be installed. No frame modes needed.
The length between the coupler boxes is the same for the GP38-2 and the GP39-2.
I suspect that these extensions are used to keep the new shorted mech positioned into the middle of the body. But not needed for the older Mech.

Job done all now running nicely.

[reinhardtjh]

I think if you were to email Atlas customer service they would also provide you with a sound file.  I'm glad ESU was able. I wish they would put them on their web site though.