Atlas SD45's shipping

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ed, is it an ESU sound or non-sound decoder? If it is sound, what sound file is installed? As I mentioned earlier, depending on the sound file, the output that would control the numberboards may not be currently active.

That's not how it works. The LEDs are connected to a specific output on the decoder. What I'm trying to figure out is which output that is.

In a wired install they're usually labelled on the circuit board or designated by their wire color.

Those outputs can be mapped using various logic that's as simple as "turn it on if function 0 is turned on" or more complex like "on when function 24 is set to ON and the locomotive is moving".

But what I'm trying to figure out is what function output it is so that I can set the logic in the decoder programming so that they're on. I'm probably going to go with the pretty obvious "If F8 is on, turn them on" option. But the odds of a generic SD45 sound project file (that contains the sound and logic) that I've downloaded from ESU doing this "out of the box" is pretty low. However, if I know that the plug connects to what'd be "Output 4" or something like that, then adding the logic is quite simple with the Lokprogrammer.

[samusi01]

Unfortunately, the only recommendation I have at this time is to open LokProgrammer and just grab a series of functions - I usually use F21-F29 - and map outputs to them to find out what turns on and off. I've had to do that with a few different types in the past, e.g. Intermountain's most recent F unit run and BLI locomotives that have gotten ESU decoders added.

[EL3632]

That's not how it works. The LEDs are connected to a specific output on the decoder. What I'm trying to figure out is which output that is.

I checked my ESU Loksound equipped Atlas SD45 project to make sure I got it right before I sent anything: it's AUX4.

[tehachapifan]

That's not how it works. The LEDs are connected to a specific output on the decoder. What I'm trying to figure out is which output that is.

In a wired install they're usually labelled on the circuit board or designated by their wire color.

Those outputs can be mapped using various logic that's as simple as "turn it on if function 0 is turned on" or more complex like "on when function 24 is set to ON and the locomotive is moving".

But what I'm trying to figure out is what function output it is so that I can set the logic in the decoder programming so that they're on. I'm probably going to go with the pretty obvious "If F8 is on, turn them on" option. But the odds of a generic SD45 sound project file (that contains the sound and logic) that I've downloaded from ESU doing this "out of the box" is pretty low. However, if I know that the plug connects to what'd be "Output 4" or something like that, then adding the logic is quite simple with the Lokprogrammer.

Ed, with ESU decoders, that IS how it works! You are connecting the decoder to the stock buddy board via an interface, which is in turn connected to the numberboard LED's, correct? If you are using the sound file I mentioned and examined earlier, the output that may be connected to the numberboard LED's may not be active....meaning nothing will happen even if you identify the proper output, wire and function key. Also. still curious if the numberboards flash briefly when you blast the horn and have F6 or F13 activated (I have a hunch they will....on one end anyway).

[jagged ben]

Does anyone have the Soundtraxx decoder equipped version and can check for me?

It's FX6 like I said above.

EDIT: OKAY, it's PIN 13 on the Next18 pinout.  Which corresponds to FX6 in Tsunami nomenclature as seen here on page 16 https://soundtraxx.com/content/Reference/Manuals/Tsunami2/Installation-Guide.pdf
And corresponds to AUX4 in ESU nomenclature as seen here:
https://tonystrains.com/news/esu-loksound-58810-58814-58816-58818-58820-58823-58828-micro-dcc-decoder-wiring-diagram/

Because Soundtraxx calls the third output after front and rear headlights FX3, whereas ESU calls it AUX1 (because the first two are necessary, you see, and the rest are auxiliary) and they both count from there.  From now on I'll keep in mind that these numbers don't line up.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I figured out the answer to the number boards.

But I'll report back about that later. I'm busy swooning.


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[Ed Kapuscinski]

So here's what I found:

AUX 1 is wired to the cab light (which I didn't even know it had until this thread, neat). I turned the brightness down a bit on that so it doesn't look like a grow house when I turn it on.
AUX 4 is the number boards.

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I hate having to use the extended functions (beyond 10), so I set my function mappings so that the number boards turn on when I turn on the prime mover sound using F8.

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[Tristan Ashcroft]

But I'll report back about that later. I'm busy swooning.

Heading out to Brunner Island?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Heading out to Brunner Island?

Lol, I mean logically, that's the only reason coal would be going NORTH up the NC, right?

[Tristan Ashcroft]

Lol, I mean logically, that's the only reason coal would be going NORTH up the NC, right?

   Yup, that's the one I could think of.

[GM50 4164]

So here's what I found:

AUX 1 is wired to the cab light (which I didn't even know it had until this thread, neat). I turned the brightness down a bit on that so it doesn't look like a grow house when I turn it on.
AUX 4 is the number boards.

(Attachment Link)

I hate having to use the extended functions (beyond 10), so I set my function mappings so that the number boards turn on when I turn on the prime mover sound using F8.

(Attachment Link)

Ed, it seems as though not all of the SD45's came with the cab lights. At least none of the 3 NW units I received had them. I wonder why the discrepancy?

[milw156]

Can anyone confirm that the undecs don't come all glued together? I am considering one, but not if it is glued together like IM offerings.

[peteski]

Can anyone confirm that the undecs don't come all glued together? I am considering one, but not if it is glued together like IM offerings.

I would be surprised if they were not glued together.  Seems that anything that is made in China gets glued. Maybe they don't understand the purpose of undercoated models?

[dandopinski]

When I bought Atlas undecorated corn syrup tanks they came in pieces. I had to assemble everything. 

[peteski]

When I bought Atlas undecorated corn syrup tanks they came in pieces. I had to assemble everything.

Interesting, Maybe Atlas finally convinced the workers in China not to just sell fully assembled unpainted models.  Also, my experience with Atlas undercoated models is with locomotives.