Zimo CV settings for Hornby Black 5

[kpugh77]

Today I purchased my first Zimo sound decoder, a MX648R with bass reflex speaker for my Hornby black 5. My previous sound experience being a Loksound v4. So as you can imagine I'm looking forward to it's arrival with bated breath.

 

I was wondering what cv settings other members had used to recreate prototypical operation of this model, particularly cv 3 and 4. 

 

Anyway hoping some of the kind members will take the time to contemplate my idle musings.

 

Kev

[kpugh77]

Hi all,

 

Zimo decoder arrived from Digitrain today, I've now loosely fitted for testing. Set controller to 3 and turned on power.

 

Sound started up and loco responded to direction and power controls. But after about 2/3 minutes the control panel started flashing digits. So I swapped the decoder into different loco and it works perfectly! Fitted original loco with it's none sound chip and its fine. fit Zimo back in and controller flashes as soon as power turn on.

 

Both are Hornby locos but the original one has a capacitor fitted. Is the capacitor affecting the sound chip?

 

Does anybody have any ideas with this one?

 

Kev

[kpugh77]

Problem solved.

 

Unfortunately it seems Hornby was not too careful with their soldering on the back of the 8 pin socket.

 

2 pins were shorting out, in DC and non sound DCC the pins affected weren't a problem but with the Zimo sound decoder it was. I was probably very fortunate not to have caused damage to the decoder. However a little careful filing has solved the problem.

 

I have to say the sound file by Paul Chetter and Digitrains are superb.

 

Now, to fit the speaker to the tender!!

 

(by the way, usual disclaimer about Digitrains and Paul Chetter)

 

Kev

[tractor_37260]

Hi Kev

Had a similar problem  -  I nearly blew a decoder due to a loose wire almost shorting at the top of the socket. The terminals being very close to the mounting screw, and a badly fitting insulation plastic washer didn't help either !. The socket worked loose due to plugging/unplugging the plug etc - I ended up using araldite to secure the socket permanently in the tender.

 

As I would expect Zimo/PC's steam sounds are very impressive, are you happy with the end result ? I already have some Zimo sound fitted diesels, but a Black 5 is sooooo tempting ! 

 

Re capacitors: Most would advise to remove them when using DCC - also disable DC use in the decoder via CV29

 

Regards

Ken

[kpugh77]

Hi ken,

 

Thanks for the advice ref capacitors, it's a shame we can't rely on the manufacturers to always get it right eh?

 

I'm very happy with the class 5 sound scheme, especially being able to change between light and heavy chuff at the touch of a button. A couple of adjustments to the cv's and it should be pretty much done.

 

Kev