pauliebanger

I've been involved with the development of ZIMO's MS decoders for several years. I've not experienced the issue you report whilst using the default CV settings. It would, however, be simple to set up such behaviour on both MX and MS decoders if you had a reason to do so. CVs 275 to 286 are used to contol volume levels during various states (acceleration/coasting/load influence etc..). It's important that these are set up correctly for the use to which the decoder is put. It would help diagnosis if you tell us what the sound projects are, from where sourced and which one does not exhibit the issue you raised. Your reference to CVs 387 et seq suggests these are diesel projects, but other factors may be in play if they are steam locos. CVs 387-389 may also have an impact for diesels, but only if a number of other CVs are active*, and dependent upon what values they contain. *If not, changes in these values will have no impact. Best regards, Paul

No, that's why you'll find 'ZIMO' and the model number in gold on the new MS range. (You can also, as always, read the modle number from all ZIMO decoders in CV 250. Best regards, Paul

it can be disabled but why get rid of a fantastic feature? A little practice will pay dividends and you may wonder why other projects don't give you a manual brake. The decoder always responds to a throtttle reduction, but as CV4 is set high by default, the model will coast to a halt over a long duration (like a real Class 08). Use the 'Light Engine' mode when there are no vehicles attached and you will find that the coasting will be of a shorter duration. The brake key can be latched or dabbed to provide prototypical braking effect when you don't want to coast. You will only get the brake squeal if you use the brakes, throttle deceleration alone will not produce brake squeal. (Logic - no brakey, no squeally!). Buyt if you must disable it, simply reduce the value in CV4. Best regards, Paul

Not in Graham Farish or 009 models, they've always been exclusively ZIMO sound decoders. Bachmann Mainline 00 may be equipped with either ESU or ZIMO sound decoders depending upon the model, though the current Class 20 and Class 37 have been switched from ESU to ZIMO. Best regards, Paul

CV8 is a read only CV, you cannot actually write to it so it remains with the value as manufactured. However, the decoder senses an attempt to write to this CV as a request to 'reset', so that's what should happen. In your case CV8 =151 will remain, but all CV's will revert to factory settings (or project settings on sound decoders). This is normal and there should be no adverse affect. Best regards, Paul'

How do you expect to get 'Brake Squeal' if you don't apply the brakes? With the CVs set at the project default, using the brake key, (F2) will not bring the loco to a sudden stop unless either the value in CV4 has been reduced or the F key 2 is 'latched on', or both. Paul

Just wack open the throttle - all set up for thrash. (More gentle opening will give more measured acceleration and sound progression). Best regards, Paul

Thanks for posting, and thank's to John at Picadilly Sidings for the review video. Did you notice at 16.38 that the engine sound changes as the field diverters cut in? Haven't heard that effect before from any r-t-r sound fitted model, cool. i notice that the lights dim when the engine is cranking, seems to be becoming a standard feature on Bachmann decoder equipped models. Best regards, Paul

No such inconsistency with Graham Farish, however, which have only ever used ZIMO sound decoders in factory fitted sound models. Maybe something to do with the smooth pull-away ZIMO decoders provide rather than the 'jerk start' typical of other brands?

Hi Pete, I'm glad you found a workable solution for your project. Yes, changing the values in CVs155 and 156 would achieve what you wish in bog standard sound projects without special features included. Not all ZIMO sound projects are created equal. If the project was more complex, using features only available using ZIMO's scripting language, the outcome could be different. Not because CV155 and 156 would not work (they would) but that any specific F key you remap in this way may alread be used in a script added by the sound project creator. If this were the case, the script would be disrupted and would cease to provide the additional features incorporated and in some cases may cause the model to be temporarilly inoperable. Because it's not always obvious that a project contains scripts*, it would be easy to cause problems inadvertantly. Using Zimo Input Mapping as I outlined above would not interfere with any script if present as it does not actually change the project construction in any way, just the F key you actually press. Since I did not know the sound projects involved, or their source, I gave details of the 'safe' method which works with simple or complex (scripted) projects. *For example, any of my projects available only from Digitrains which have a section in the accompanying User Notes (also viewable on their website) which contain a section called 'Enhanced Features' (or similar) will contain one or more scripts in order to achieve outcomes simply not possible with standard ZIMO programming. I can give some examples of 'Enhanced Features' if you wish. Best regards, Paul

Pete, You can do this 'old school' with your DCC controller. Use ZIMO's Input Mapping feature. To put whatever is on F12 to F20, CV412 = 20 There may be something on F20 already, but you have not said. If so, all will now be on F20 which could be bad! So, change what may originally be on F 20 to F 12; CV420 =12 You need to change the values in just 2 CVs as above, hardly worth switching on your computer for that. Best regards, Paul

Yes BoD, I know. Any of my diesel sound projects (not diesel mechanical, obviously) on ZIMO decoders available from Digitrains can either temporarily fix speed and change engine sounds or temporarily fix sound and vary speed, in each case using the throttle control. (and an F key to select the required action. Best regards, Paul

Jinty3F, It's possible that following the advice above may not immediately give you accesss to F10 - F28, it depends. This is because the PowerCab's 'OPTION' button is not set to operate like this as the default, it needs to be designated as a 'shift' key (if not done so already). NCE call this feature Extended Function Control. It's pretty straightforward to do this, the PowerCab manual tells you how on page 18* (Extended Function Control F10 - F28); you only need to do this once. First you need to access 'Cab Setup' then press Enter several times until you arive at section 8. At this point input the correct code (122) before pressing Enter again. Press Prog/Esc button to close Cab Setup. The Option Key will now operate as a Shift Key to access all higher Functions. * Page number may differ but the instructions remain the same, just look up Extended Function Control Best regards, Paul

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Current Bachman Class 24 r-t-r sound fitted models use ZIMO decoders. With ZIMO sound decoders the overall volume can be set with CV266. The actual setting for a particular sound project may not be the default value, (that quoted for a decoder with only ZIMO factory defaults). It's possible to set a value up to 255, but audible distortion is likely with values greater than 120-130, and sometimes at even lower values. It depends upon the actual loco type depicted, other volume levels within the sound project and the speaker(s) deployed. To help with this, it's possible with many ZIMO sound projects, to change the volume in real time whilst listening go the outcomes. This is done by using combinations of the 'up' volume key and the 'down' volume key. In many, but not all, Bachmann or Farish ZIMO equipped models, the down key will be F27 and the up key will be F28. (Check the Functions List included with the model). Here's how these keys work: If F27 (or any designated 'volume down' key) is engaged, the sound volume will gradually reduce. When the desired level is reached, disengage F27 and the current overall volume will become the new default, until such time as a further adjustment is made. This setting will endure evn when powered down, so this may only need to be done once. If F27 is not disengaged during this process, the sound will eventually fade to zero. If F28 (or any designated 'volume up' key) is engaged, the sound volume will gradually increase. When the desired level is reached, disengage F28 and the current overall volume will become the new default, until such time as a further adjustment is made. This setting will endure evn when powered down, so this may only need to be done once. If F28 is not disengaged during this process, the sound will eventually continue to increase. This would lead to unacceptably high amplification if unchecked, so it's usual to set an upper limit during sound project creation. These F keys can be used at any time, including during operations. Please not that there may also be a separate 'Fade all sounds' designated F key. This works somewhat differently. When engaged, this feature reduces volume to zero and when disengaged, returns the volume to the original operating level. The duration of the fade is adjustable with CV 314, higher values giving a longer fade, shorter giving a quicker fade. Useful starting point values would be around 35 (=3.5 seconds). I think that covers the usual questions about overall volume control. However, the original question was how about how to reduce the engine running sound (volume?). Taking that at face value, this is how that may be achieved: With ZIMO, it's possible to reduce the volume of the engine sound within the overall volume by reducing the value in CV376. This can be used, for example, to reduce engine volume whilst retaining horn or whistle volumes so that these sounds are more pronounced in the final mix. Best regards, Paul

And, maybe, that it can be configured so that both 'Logic Level' and 'Full Power' Function Outputs can be tested on 21 pin decoders., Paul

In the Digitrains sound project, the Class 108 gear change thresholds were set for 00 gauge models. It's possible to 'compress' the speed range and the thresholds on ZIMO decoders, by reducing the value in CV57. That's probably what you have come across before. Best regards, Paul

Since Dapol fitted ZIMO sound decoders to their Factory Sound Fitted option, (MX644D) it's reasonable to believe that these 'full voltage' decoders were used during model development. Hence, for the first batches, (long hinges on the engine room doors?) a decoder with full power on all 6 Function Outputs will operate the model out of the box. Using a logic level decoder in these models will result in 'always on' rear lights in all cases. It can be worked around by modifying the model's PCB and wiring, but the simple solution is to use a full voltage decoder instead. (or one which may be changed from full power to logic level, as Nigel suggested). For the later batches, Dapol not only changed the requirement to include 'Logic Level' on FOs (AUXs) 3 and above, but also remapped the lights as well. For these models, a logic level decoder is required the Lais being an example already mentioned. ZIMO have a sound decoder MX644C with the logic level outputs required, but most brands have an offering in sound and non-sound to match these requirements. The newly available ZIMO MS440D and MS440C are full power and logic level respectively, but each has the ability to be converted to the other by user CV changes, so each will work in either batches, much like the earlier MX 21 pin non sound decoders. I don't know of any other brand of 21 pin sound decoder which has the capability to become either type, but they may exist. So, before deciding upon the correct decoder, it's important to determine which variant of the Dapol model is to be equipped. Please note that the lower middle lamp is a dummy on all Dapol 0 gauge 08 models; there's no LED fitted. Best regards, Paul

If I remember correctly, this was a special edition by RAIL EXCLUSIVE. I've had success in obtaining items such as this by contacting Phlip Sutton of Sutton's Locomotive Workshop (SLW) and RAIL EXCLUSIVE fame. I'm confident he will help you if he can. Give him a call. He won't bite and you've nothiing to lose. https://railexclusive.com/ Phone 01780 470086 E-mail: sales@railexclusive.com Best regards, Paul

This is true unfortunately, and nothing I can do about that - though there are some mitigations to consider. Of course, for most convenience, it would require the correct update devices for each brand you own. However, there are a number of ways individuals can benefit from the FW updates without owning any additional kit. Dealers will often be happy to do these upgrades for you - it's couple of minutes work. Colleagues at MR clubs may have the correct equipment to do this for you, or you could buy devices between several individuals, a sort of equipment pool, if you like. In my view, when you have more than a handful of decoders from one FW upgradable brand, owning the correct kit (which will be a one-off purchase in each case) is the best way to keep your decoders in tip-top bug-free condition and with all the up to date features*. This is even more pertinent for sound decoders where your circa £100 initial investment can be loaded with updated projects for the same loco type or different types, and from a variety of sources. *As JST commented 'I asked a question on what decoders to buy to solve my problem and wound up fixing it by not having to buy anything - great result!' How many such savings are required to make owning the correct device cost effective? The available devices required by each brand vary - most have a single capable device. If you have a ZIMO decoder, however, there are a number of alternatives. The old MXDECUP still works with MX decoders (but I think not with the upcoming MS series), ZIMO controller MX31ZL, the dedicated, stand-alone (no computer required during processing) MXULFA, and from a different manufacturer, the ROCO Z21 are all capable of loading FW and sound projects to ZIMO decoders. So, there's a range of possiblities though some are now only available second hand. But that means reduced prices, so could be a good choice. Best regards, Paul

Lenz, Digitrax.........

Just for clarity? What was unclear in my post that you quoted? I did not mention any brand. As a matter of fact, your intervention does not clarify since you have chosen to avoid mentioning all the other brands which also have a free firmware upgrade path. My point is, I would advise anyone considering the purchase of a sound or non-sound decoder to check whether it is possible to upgrade the FW as this gives a degree of future-proofing that less featured decoders cannot hope to match. Which decoder brand and type to select is for individual choice. Best regards, Paul

This is a perfect example of why buying decoder brands which allow their FirmWare to be updated/upgraded for free makes long term economic sense. Most types you are stuck with what's onboard at the time of purchase so the only way to upgrade would be to buy again. Best regards, Paul

In the R-T-R sound fitted models there is a ZIMO MX645P22 sound decoder installed. Unfortunately, in some early release models, the decoder has an incorrect CV setting meaning that on DC only, the brake is set 'ON' so the motor will not turn. This has since been fixed. Individual cases will be addressed by Minerva as they present. There's no such problem on DCC, all works as it should. So if you run exclusively on DCC, you will not be affected by this. To run an affected model on DC, if one is able, there are a couple of simple DIY fixes which will get the model moving, but they do require access to DCC in order to make a CV change, or changes: Options: 1. To remove the brake effect on DC but retain a small degree of inertia/momentum, make CV 13 = 17 (seventeen) 2. To remove the brake effect on DC and remove all inertia/momentum, make CV13 = 1 (one) and CV14 = 192 3. Anyone unable to make these changes should contact Minerva who will put it right. Best regards, Paul

Sorry, I'm in Lincoln. The postage each way would be getting close the price of a new decoder. Paul