Zimo MS540E24 sound decoder issues

[signalmaintainer]

 I hope someone can assist me. I’m a new user of Zimo sound decoders, specifically MS540E24 decoders, and I’m experiencing difficulties. The decoders are loaded with Zimo’s EMD 567 and 645 sound projects. I’m using DecoderPro through a Digitrax PR4 on a dedicated programming track. I have a TCS KA-N1 keep-alive installed also.

I installed the first decoder yesterday, one with an EMD 645 sound project. Movement of the locomotive was excellent after adjusting CV2, CV5, and CV6. I also had primer mover sounds after adjusting the master volume and pressing F8, but no bell (F1) or horn (F2). That’s the first issue.

Second, the loco lighting is quite odd. I’m running long-hood as forward, with CV29 set to 35. The locomotive moves in the correct direction (if the long hood is to your left, the locomotive is moving right to left), but the forward headlight is dim. When I reverse direction, the forward headlight becomes bright, opposite to the direction, and the reverse headlight on the cab end comes on. I have Zimo MN140E24 decoders in other locomotives, and I have never experienced this issue with them.

After trying for several hours to solve the issues, I reset the decoder using CV8. After restoring basic motor control, motion is still excellent, but the lights are still behaving oddly – and worse, I have no sound. I’ve gone through the list from the Zimo website of modified CVs for the 645 sound project three times, checking my work as I go, but still no sound. That’s the third issue.

Any assistance and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[tehachapifan]

The lighting issue is an east fix thru CV changes (though it’s been a while since I manually adjusted CV’s on a Zimo), but the sound issue is disconcerting. Is there any chance that the speaker wires or contacts came into contact (even briefly) with track power thru the loco frame or the actual track? Was there any distortion, increasing crackling or garbling of sound before it was lost?

[signalmaintainer]

The lighting issue is an east fix thru CV changes (though it’s been a while since I manually adjusted CV’s on a Zimo), but the sound issue is disconcerting. Is there any chance that the speaker wires or contacts came into contact (even briefly) with track power thru the loco frame or the actual track? Was there any distortion, increasing crackling or garbling of sound before it was lost?

The sound output was working, apart from F1 and F2, prior to the reset. No distortion or clipping, etc. There are no speaker wired per se, as this is the new Altas GP38 frame with the 24-pin lighting board.

I've tried several different CV adjustments for the lighting, with no improvement.

[tehachapifan]

Did you cycle the power after CV8 reset? I do this by tilting one side of the loco off the track for a few seconds. I also wonder if the keep alive needs to be disconnected for programming and resetting.

[signalmaintainer]

Did you cycle the power after CV8 reset? I do this by tilting one side of the loco off the track for a few seconds. I also wonder if the keep alive needs to be disconnected for programming and resetting.

Yep, sure did. But, I hadn't isolated the KA. Once I did that, the read/write process improved. But one of the CVs indicates the sound file is corrupted.

[tehachapifan]

What CV and what is it displaying as a value? Like mentioned earlier, I haven't played around with Zimo programming in a while but will look at the manual later. I'm also curious if the programming track didn't have enough power to get past the KA and scrambled the decoder. I had this happen before with a LokSound decoder (no KA installed) before I had purchased a LokProgrammer. The program track off my DCC system just didn't seem to play well with LokSounds (I have an MRC Prodigy Express system), but it worked fine with my Zimos (although I don't have any added KA's with those).

[nstars]

Which soundfiles have been used to program the decoders?. I do have a Programmer so I may be able to provide you with a list of the default CVs

Marc

[signalmaintainer]

Which soundfiles have been used to program the decoders?. I do have a Programmer so I may be able to provide you with a list of the default CVs

Marc

Thank you, Marc. Bryan at Streamlined Backshop recommended performing another decoder reset. Sounds as if the CVs are still jumbled around, he says.

[signalmaintainer]

What CV and what is it displaying as a value? Like mentioned earlier, I haven't played around with Zimo programming in a while but will look at the manual later. I'm also curious if the programming track didn't have enough power to get past the KA and scrambled the decoder. I had this happen before with a LokSound decoder (no KA installed) before I had purchased a LokProgrammer. The program track off my DCC system just didn't seem to play well with LokSounds (I have an MRC Prodigy Express system), but it worked fine with my Zimos (although I don't have any added KA's with those).

I'd have to go back and reread the CVs, but there are four (?) that give indications of a bad sound file. I'm not certain that's the issue. I've got a bit set incorrectly, I'd wager. A reset shouldn't affect the sound project .ZPP file, just its CVs, which are easy to reconfigure.

[nstars]

I'd have to go back and reread the CVs, but there are four (?) that give indications of a bad sound file. I'm not certain that's the issue. I've got a bit set incorrectly, I'd wager. A reset shouldn't affect the sound project .ZPP file, just its CVs, which are easy to reconfigure.

That should indeed be the case. FYI if you read the ZPP file with the ZPP config program (part of the ZSP program) you should be able to get the default CV list.

Marc

[signalmaintainer]

I installed a Zimo MS540E24 with an EMD 567 Zimo sound project in an Atlas SD-9 today. No issues with funny lights. Horn and bell worked right away. All CV adjustments made with DecoderPro. So perhaps my issues with the earlier 645 chip weren't user error, but a corrupt sound file.

[tehachapifan]

Is the corrupted decoder going to be replaced via warranty?

[signalmaintainer]

Is the corrupted decoder going to be replaced via warranty?

I'm sending it back for a refresh. Then we'll see if it needs replacing.

[peteski]

Couldn't the corruption be simply fixed by reloading the firmware and the sound project?  These are easy fixes which often take care of weird issues.

[signalmaintainer]

Couldn't the corruption be simply fixed by reloading the firmware and the sound project?  These are easy fixes which often take care of weird issues.

Yep, that's what I meant by "refresh."