ESU sound decoder for a PA

[woodone]

I have a Kato PA unit that I want to install a sound decoder.  OK, I have a new LokSound V-5 micro decoder to get this done.
Well I don’t find a sound file for a 16 cylinder ALCO 244? So I chose to use a V-12 cylinder 244- (sound file #SO 501)
Hooked it up to my decoder tester.  I can’t get the file to load- tells me decoder is not detected- OK I had to do an update via the programmer- did that now I was able to inter the long address number. Now I try to load the file- runs for 15-20 seconds and now I get a error message—two much code- reduce outgoing transitions? What the heck is that all about.
I will tell you this- every time I use a LokSound decoder I get more gray hair.
I just before put on an older LokSound Select that I had in my parts supply- I down loaded the file-with my decoder tester-
Will not work- no sounds,no motor control and no lights.
LokSound is getting very close to being some thing I will not use.
Lots of lost time gone up in smoke.
Anyone have a PA sound file? I know there are PA’s out there running sound- what you guys using?

[RBrodzinsky]

Jerry, make sure you have the latest version of the LokProgrammer software, there were some bugs that caused the “too much code” error.  And yeah, since there are no 16-244s remaining, the best one can do is a 12-244

[woodone]

Thanks Rick~ give that a try in the AM.
Right now too flustered to mess with it tonight.

[tehachapifan]

Also good to make sure you don't have the programmer opened in more than one window. I don't know for sure that this will indeed cause problems, but I've had similar errors that I think may have been caused by this.

[peteski]

According to what I saw on the LokSound group.io, the "too much code" is a bug in the Lokprogrammer software, and installing the newest version should fix that.

Today's advanced sound decoders like ESU are actually fairly powerful computers in a miniature package. Unfortunately what makes them so powerful and highly programmable also results in more complicated programming, (both the decoder's firmware and the ancillary software) being prone to bugs (just, like pretty much all computer code nowadays).

[jdcolombo]

I also use the 12 cylinder sound file.

John C.

[Sharky_McSharknose]

Which railroad are you modeling? If you're modeling the last 4 PAs after D&H purchased them, a 12 cyl. 251 sound file would be appropriate. They were rebuilt with 12-251Fs. ESU only has the 8cyl. 251F but any of the 251B or C files should be a close enough match. I'm using 74841 ALCO 12cyl 251B (FT) in my LokSound Micro v4-fitted Life-Like D&H PA. The V5 version of that sound file is number S0541, ALCO 12-251B Ed2.

Otherwise, the 12-244 is as close as they have to the 16-244.

[EL3632]

Which railroad are you modeling? If you're modeling the last 4 PAs after D&H purchased them, a 12 cyl. 251 sound file would be appropriate. They were rebuilt with 12-251Fs. ESU only has the 8cyl. 251F but any of the 251B or C files should be a close enough match (I think S0541 for v5 matches closest to the videos I can find).

Otherwise, the 12-244 is as close as they have to the 16-244.

For my DH units I used the 251B, the same sound file used in the Atlas factory C420s. I like it. It sounds good. For my EL units I use the 12-244. Closest you can get with no 16-244s left to record.

[woodone]

Sorry, took me awhile to get back here . The PA is in SP colors.
I was able to get the 12 cylinder 244 downloaded.
I had to update my programmer.
I had not had to down load a sound file for quite a while and I was behind the curve on that.
Seems to be working fine right now.  THANKS Rick.

[woodone]

Well looks like the down load of the sound file was the least of my problems.
If someone has done this install I would like to see how you got the Micro-V-5 with the Next 18 socket to fit.
Looks like I may have to take a different approach to this.
The decoder with plug holds the shell up a bunch from the frame.

[Sharky_McSharknose]

Were you trying out the Wutter adapter board with the Kato PA? I bought and tried them too, but like with yours the decoder + adapter board are too tall to allow the shell to fit over them.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=50310.msg682843#msg682843

[woodone]

No, just sitting the decoder on the original light board first. Then I removed the OEM light board and tried sitting it all over the place, one side up then the other- no way was I getting the micro V-5 with its plug and wires to fit. I had done a couple of PA’s in the past using the LokSound micro select decoder. Was a tight fit but was able to do it. Got the shell on and it ran well and sounded good too.

[RBrodzinsky]

Yeah, the last two I did were also wired Select Micros.  I wonder if one can fit a Select Direct Micro (73100) into the PA with running wires off the pads

[nightmare0331]

with the plug on the V5 micro, the decoder is too tall. I wasn't able to make it fit and had to use select micros.  I went a few rounds with ESU over that one.

Even with a select/v4 micro it's an extremely tight fit. 

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[peteski]

with the plug on the V5 micro, the decoder is too tall. I wasn't able to make it fit and had to use select micros.  I went a few rounds with ESU over that one.

Even with a select/v4 micro it's an extremely tight fit. 

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

For the sake of N-scalers everywhere (installing V5 micros in their models) it woudl really be helpful if ESU re-spun the V5 micro decoder with soldered on lead instead of the Next18 connector.  Does anybody have enough pull with ESU to make this happen?