cravensdmufan

April 7

55 minutes ago, Ighten said:

My limas are all 8 pin fitted with sockets and work fine.. though the auto profile produces the usual Lima 0 to 60 in .5 seconds result so I re programmed the curve manually for slow running.

My only issue is that this seems to remove some auto functions on f28 from working correctly like break squeal. I need to relook at that. I also have a mix of hm7000 and zimo etc so the app as a controller is pretty pointless, it is however excellent for programming the hm7000 chips and fine tuning on the fly.

That 47 is looking, sounding and running absolutely fantastic. Just shows what can be done with older locos.

Lovely scenic work as well

Thanks for posting.

April 6

6 hours ago, dj_crisp said:

I wonder if someone will announce a retooled MK1?

Hopefully with scale window frames. BR retro fitted frames to most Mk1s due to severe corrosion. So models in the blue and grey livery and beyond just don't look right without them IMO.

Mainline got the frames right on their RMB - as indeed did Triang-Hornby on their early mark 1s; nice fine ones before they changed the tooling to feature chunky frames along with clip on bogies.

April 6

2 hours ago, ColinB said:

With your Limas if you fit a 8 pin socket rather than hard wiring them, it gives you the option to try any decoder easily. If it doesn't work just fit a DC header. Hornby in their specification for their HM7000 state that the maximum current is one amp which should be ok, that is another reason for fitting a socket.

Great idea, many thanks.

April 5

I use the HM7000 app usually just to load loco profiles and adjust CVs on the decoders; I have had no problems whatsoever. I really like the way it's so easy to adjust the spot sound levels. And to wipe and replace a profile and maybe swap the decoder into a different loco should I wish.

My HM7000 decoders are usually set for DCC control from my NCE Powercab, along with Loksound, Zimo and TTS fitted traction. Very occasionally if I have a visitor to the layout I will switch a few HM7000 locos over to Bluetooth to control those from the app on the tablet so we can both operate.

My HM7000 decoders have provided smooth motor control in Hornby, Bachmann and Heljan diesels without need for CV adjustment.

I have a few old Limas to hard wire too - just wondering if those will work just as well. Has anyone tried?

April 1

5 hours ago, m1a2lt said:

Anyone heard anything about these? Release date keeps sliding right and starting to wonder if this is ever going to happen.

I asked Ben at Model Rail Scotland. Regretfully it seems we'll have to wait until 2025.

March 30

1 hour ago, Ighten said:

I had a break for a while from the railway as I've been working abroad a while..

When I came back I placed a loco on the cleaned track and got no response from my DCC controller.. yet every other loco non hm7000 was fine

After several hours of fruitless headscratching and jet lag sleep it dawned on me that my phone had Bluetooth off . Turning it on immediately sprung life into everything.

But my point and query is, shouldn't it be irrelevant as once I put my profiles on, these are all run in DCC mode through my controller, not Bluetooth through the phone app. Or am I misunderstanding here.

Maybe the last time you ran that loco, before you went away, it was set for Bluetooth operation? I think it stays that way until you toggle back to DCC operation. I use all my HM7000 locos in DCC mode. I have the app just on a Lenovo tablet (purchased especially for programming HM7000 decoders) which is often left for days without being used and the battery runs out. But all my decoders still work on DCC.

March 28

A very interesting topic. Your work looks excellent @40 058. I will go through your posts and photos in detail at the weekend when I have more time. I'm particularly interested in your methods as I hope to convert a LHD Norev Peugeot Partner to a RHD Citroen Berlingo and change the bodywork colour - so I may be asking for some advice if that's okay!

March 27

Just now, carlo said:

Did you fit speaker into the smallest box enclosure?

Yes. Even with the smallest box it sounds good. Also, I didn't have to alter any CVs for motor control. Performance is really good, right up there with more expensive decoders. ☺️

March 27

38 minutes ago, carlo said:

Looking for some advice. Has anyone fitted a Hornby 8 pin HM7000 sound decoder to a Bachmann 08? Will it fit with smallest sound box without issue? Any tips greatly appreciated

Yes, did one last night. My Bachmann 08 is an early one so I had to hard wire red, black, orange and grey (no lights on the model). Fitted decoder and smallest speaker behind the radiator. Also a power pack in the cab (drilled a hole through the plastic bulkhead for the plug and cable). The loco runs and sounds great, and I'm delighted with it.

March 15

Useful footage of weathering of coach and loco roofs on this video. 8:40 onwards.

March 7

@Tony Wrightused Humbrol Matt 67 on his Mk1s in a BRM article some time ago.

I followed that advice and have been very pleased with the results. Further enhanced with different shades of Tamiya weathering powders. I also followed his advice to reduce the roof ribs on the Bachmann model Here's a photo to show improvements. Thank you Tony!

February 8

4 hours ago, Daddyman said:

the window frames still missing

Re: Mk1's: I was pleased to see the end steps removed but was hoping that blue and grey and after would have window frames. Most Mk1s had frames retro fitted in the 60's. I especially notice the lack of frames on my blue grey buffet RMB which IMO looks odd without them.

EDIT: Looking at the images of the blue grey coaches on the OP again, and zooming in as much as possible, maybe the frames are actually there?

February 4

1 hour ago, Creampot Junction said:

HI I Like to keep my decoders up to date with the latest updates to the sound profile. I am just wondering will it reset all my CV's which I have customised back to default? If this is a case do you think you can report back to Hornby to try and find a outcome to prevent this or a way you can save them ?

Many Thanks

Chris

The only CVs I have customised on mine are usually about 10 individual spot sounds.

If these are what you mean, then why not just make a note of them before you update the profile?

Then even if it does default back, it would only take a few minutes to program them back in using the app.

Let us know how you get on.

January 27

18 hours ago, kevinlms said:

Some must be following your advice, because the number of set track curves are steadily disappearing.

How long before circular layouts start appearing on eBay?

All joking aside, I have found my circle of 2nd radius Hornby set track invaluable for speed matching DCC fitted locos.

I set it up separate from the layout and have the two locos going round, adjusting the speed of one until it perfectly matches the other.

So much easier than trying to do it on the layout!

January 27

I am tempted to fire up JMRI and read and save all the CV settings on the decoder. Then, consulting the ESU manual, fiddle with some of the sound related CVs.

If When I mess up, at least if I can revert to the original settings. 😊

January 27

50 minutes ago, RAF96 said:

The old 21-pin Hornby sound locos (SKU suffix XS) were ESU decoders with Hornby specified sound files loaded by ESU according to the ESU UK sounds archive section. As such the files are not available to reload. Note the v3.5 decoder needs a 100 ohm speaker and these are rare as hen's teeth.

Edit - it is assumed you are looking at this instruction sheet

Thank you for that information.

Yes, that is the instruction sheet I have; it says to refer to the ESU LokSound v3.5 manual that provides further information about the decoders capabilities.

But without knowing which CVs were used for the trigger thresholds, I can't try any adjustments.

(The Hornby TTS manuals were very good. Everything was explained really well and they showed the CVs to alter to adjust the trigger thresholds and also those to fine tune motor performance. As a result, all my TTS fitted locos perform faultlessly!)

I guess I may now fit this loco with a TXS 31 sound which is good, or have the decoder re blown.

January 27

I have recently acquired a Hornby Class 31 Railfreight red stripe (R2900XS), used but in mint condition.

I really like the loco and I think the sound is actually quite good, especially after I managed to turn the loud fan sound off, thanks to @pheaton 's post from 2015.

Just wondering if there's any way to alter the sound trigger thresholds on it's LokSound v3.5 decoder? As soon as the loco moves the engine sound revs up. With other sound projects, the revs don't kick in until, say, speed step 5. So with this one, you can't get a coasting/idling sound at slow speed.

Not sure who supplied Hornby with the sound file file for this model.

The instruction sheet states: "The LokSound v3.5 decoder offers more options than described ... the experts amongst you can use information outlined in the LokSound v3.5 manual".

I have looked at the said manual but I still haven't a clue! After all, I'm no "expert"!

I know I could get it re blown by Leggomanbiffo, but I already have a couple of his excellent class 31 sounds; if I could possibly adjust this one it would give a bit of variety.

Thanks in advance.

January 26

12 hours ago, RAF96 said:

These TXS decoders are a tad sensitive to track voltage variation

... and maybe motor fluctuation?

I have fitted 10 HM7000 TXS decoders now.

All excellent and without problems. Just one 21 pin was playing up slightly in a Bachmann 47. Strangely, the loco kept stopping momentarily and starting of its own accord. Even with clean wheels and rails.

So I tested the decoder in a couple of other locos, and they ran perfectly. So the decoder wasn't faulty.

I assumed the decoder was sensitive to some small problem in that particular motor. Fitted another new 21 pin TXS and it did exactly the same. So I plugged in a Power Bank and then it was perfect.

Thought I'd mention it in case other people have a similar issue.

January 22

52 minutes ago, NotofthiscenturyTim said:

Interesting to see HM7000 getting coverage beyond the UK - a thorough and balanced review from last week by LR Presse, a long established French publication.

An excellent presentation. I like the way he demonstrated the Power Bank stay alive - first time I've seen an amphibious diesel shunter!

But I wouldn't wrap the decoder in tape - if they are like TTS then they may tend to get warm. I just use one small piece of tape (but not stuck to the decoder) to stop it touching any circuit. Best to let air circulate IMO.

Great to see HM7000 in other countries. Hope Hornby will be able to do some loco profiles for fellow overseas modellers.

January 21

43 minutes ago, WIMorrison said:

you clearly do not understand how complex a decoder is, and understand even less about the complexity of sound decoders

Ooh, how your phraseology reminds me of my schoolmaster 50 years ago 😉

January 10

Class 121 and 153 DMUs will be useful. Especially the 121 presumably with Leyland engines which can be used for other classes. Very happy about that. Thanks Hornby!

January 10

10 minutes ago, RAF96 said:

a DMU or two

Certainly looking forward to those!

January 9

Very sad news.

I spent 15 years living in the Republic of Ireland until 2011, during which time my interest in model railways returned after a long period away from the hobby.

Hattons were one of the few suppliers that dispatched to Ireland at a very reasonable cost. So I was able to start again thanks to them.

Thank you Hattons. My thoughts are with the owners and staff at this difficult time.

January 7

1 hour ago, GenericRMWebUsername said:

Looks like Rivarossi will be the first international brand to add HMDCC. Their E.656 and several of their trams will feature it according to the range release. It's good to see Hornby integrating HMDCC into more of their products!

Good news indeed. The system has so much potential, especially that the end user can so easily make adjustments and even reprogram the decoders without needing specialist equipment.

I have now fitted 12 into different loco classes - every one without any issues.

January 6

3 hours ago, dj_crisp said:

I might just get out some files on my next Bachmann... or Lima effort!!

Please keep us updated on your progress. 😊

Profiles

Forums

Blogs

Gallery

Events

Exhibition Layout Details

Store

Posts posted by cravensdmufan