Training - Mr. DCC's University | Bruce Petrarca
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Transcript Training - Mr. DCC's University | Bruce Petrarca
Mr. DCC’s University
Getting the most out of your Tsunami
Presented by Bruce Petrarca
Copyright 2010 © Bruce Petrarca, All Rights Reserved
Litchfield Station
Founded by Bruce in 2001
Sold in the spring of 2010
At that time, it was:
– The largest volume SoundTraxx dealer in the world
– The second largest SoundTraxx and Blackstone dealer
in the world, behind Caboose Hobbies
– Second to Walthers in Digitrax volume worldwide
– The largest direct-ordering NCE dealer in the world
Mr. DCC continues…
Bruce still holds the tradename
The technical data is on a new web site:
www.MrDCCU.com
Bruce doesn’t make anything off Litchfield
Station sales, but is available for:
– DCC & layout consulting
– Specialized installations
– Clinics and talks
Tsunami
The SoundTraxx Tsunami decoder has set
the standard for DCC sound.
While it is optimized to run on DCC,
it will also function on DC.
Here are some things to bring it to life:
Customizing your loco
With many sound decoders every loco of a
specific style sounds the same.
Tsunamis have so many user adjustable
features that you can have several locos
with the same sound set in them and they
all sound different.
Two basic versions of Tsunami
Steam sound set
Diesel sound set
Within these two groups there are many different
packages, for example:
• TSU-1000
• TSU-AT1000
Use DecoderPro!
Hundreds of CVs set the personality
Many have individual bits to set items
Manual setting requires
– Remembering which CV does what
– Tedious calculations
Slow Speed Tuning
One of the main complaints about Tsunami motor
performance is on the low end:
– Jerky starts
– Running too fast at the first speed steps
Fine tuning the motor control CVs will usually
fix these issues
It is an iterative process,
but it is well worth the time
Step-by-step in FAQs on my web site
CLICK HERE for details
Momentum
Tsunami uses the BEMF of the motor to
decide on sounds
Most sounds work better with momentum
– Steam CV 3 & 4 = 20 to 40 or MORE
– Diesel CV 3 & 4 = 10 to 20
– Try CV 3 twice CV4,
still sounds good and stops quicker
Speed Matching to other locos
Theoretically DCC allows you to speed match
locos with different decoders, but
– Sound decoders have varying start delays
– Manufacturers have varying constants
– Makes matching to other decoders tough
SoundTraxx has just released motor decoders in
the $25 range that have the same operational
characteristics as the sound Tsunamis – IDEAL
for locos to consist with Tsunami equipped locos
Mixing Board
The Tsunami decoder contains a
full “mixing board” –
just like a recording studio
The user can adjust the level of every one
of the up to 22 sounds individually
Here is where DecoderPro helps
Event Probability
Adjust how often an event happens - steam
“Static” events only occur when speed = 0
You can also set automatic sounds - both
Again DecoderPro to the rescue
Custom Bell Sounds
The Tsunami has one bell sound – selected
to represent the most common sound
associated with the prime mover
You can adjust volume – DOWN
You can adjust ring rate – SLOWER
Whistle & Horn
Some steamers (#4449) have both whistle
and air-horn
The Heavy Steam Tsunami does this
When set up, F3 switches between the two
Selecting the Whistle or Horn
Tsunami decoders have up to 16 choices
Selected to be appropriate for basic sound
Easy to do in DecoderPro
Steam Chuff
The Tsunami comes in “Auto Chuff” mode
Synchronize the chuff rate when the
wheels are turning 1 RPS using CV 116
Cam input allows EXACT chuff rate –
difficult to do on many locos
Articulated Steam
The Tsunami does an amazing job
Set the chuff rate in the single mode
Then activate “Articulated” and adjust the
slip rate
Motor Recovery Speed
With the diesel Tsunami, you can choose
whether the loco sound starts over after a
power interruption or continues as it was.
–
–
–
–
CV 118 = 0 – start over – same as steam
CV 118 = 1 to 127 start at speed step
CV 118 = 128 to 255 start at % of speed
CV 118 default 204
Can affect the momentum reaction
Braking – F11
F11 on = brakes applied
Adjust braking time with CV 61
– CV 61 = 0 to 127 adds to braking time
– CV 61 = 128 to 255 subtracts
I like to use 129 – see DecoderPro page
Dynamic Brakes
Different prime movers react to Dynamic
Brakes differently:
– Drops to Run 1 – mostly EMD
– Drops to Run 4 – many SP
– Goes to Run 8 – ALCO
The Tsunami allows you to select which
reaction you want
Manual Operation
You can let the diesel Tsunami set the
sounds as it likes, or you can do it
yourself:
–
–
–
–
–
Prime mover only starts when you throttle up
Manual control of air compressor
Manual control of radiator fan
Manual control of dynamic brake fans
Manual Notching of prime mover
Graphic Equalizer
A 7 band graphic equalizer to help match
the output to the speaker used
Presets for most standard speaker sizes
Try one on each side of the speaker you
use – carefully! Check horn for distortion.
Reverb
User adjustable reverb is available
Shipped disabled
I like to at least add
“additional reverb for whistle”
Multiple Prime Movers
Some diesels have multiple prime movers:
EMD E-units & DD40AX; ALCO DL
Tsunami can sound like two prime movers
Use reverb CVs to create this effect:
–
–
–
–
–
CV 161 = 7 (user adjustable)
CV 162 = 255 (reverb output level)
CV 163 = 255 (reverb delay)
CV164 = 0 (reverb gain)
CV 171 = 255 (engine exhaust reverb level)
Other topics
DDE
how your loco labors up a grade
DC operation
a different set of optimizations
Sources of Information
Manufacturer’s web site
http://www.soundtraxx.com/
FAQs on my web site:
http://www.mrdccu.com/curriculum/soundtraxx/tsunami.htm
Manuals
– available on CD from SoundTraxx dealers
– http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals.php
Mr. DCC’s University
Questions and comments
Mr. DCC is available for
DCC installations and consultation
623-640-4060
More information on the web site:
www.MrDCCU.com