pauliebanger

There will be many people on here who have Roco Z1 or ZIMO MXULF who can help, including any ZIMO dealer. So, as Iain has suggested, let us know your location (not full address) and someone will probably be able to help. Paul

That's a ZIMO MX622 decoder with software V31 .57. This software does not support the Brake Key feature. MX622 decoders can be updated to the latest software V40.5 which does support the Brake Key. Please not that there are two hardware versions of the MX622, the one you have (CV250 = 233) and a 2019 revision (CV250 = 192). As far as I know, the Brake Key feature is not affected by this difference. (but there are some recent new facilities which will not operate with the older version - due to the smaller flash memory of the older one). You will still benefit in other ways from updating to V40.5 Best regards, Paul

Is it possible that 'Headlamp front' and 'Headlamp rear' plus Aux 1 and Aux 2 are being counted and described as 4 Functions?

Most, but regretably not all, older ZIMO decoder types can be updated quite easily by loading new firmware which includes the ability to set Brake Key function. What type is fitted? If you don't know for sure, read CV250 and from the value in that CV the decoder type can be identified. (if your Dynamis can read the CV). From this you can work out or we can advise you if the relevant update is possible. Best regards, Paul

Yes, 'unless you change it' Paul

Let's say I had a long time to ensure that it all fits and works as it should. LOL. The speakers are in the engine room, under the fan with no modification to the model. The sound, therefore comes from the front. It was specifically designed to not interfere with the easy removal of body from chassis, a feature of the model's basic design, employed in all Minerva models. Anyway, even DC officionado's can benefit from the sound installation - quite a lot of the sounds are available on DC, as are the lighting functions and Stay Alive management - something only possible on DC as a standard feature with ZIMO decoders. If you feel you need one of those flywheel covers, have a word with Chris at Minerva. (but perhaps give him chance to ship other peoples' models first). Best regards, Paul

Russ, That's not the volume CV for ZIMO decoders. CV266 is for the overall volume. However, with the Digitrains 03 project you will not need to change this CV if you use tthe F key 27 which will gradually reduce the volume (to OFF if you let it). So, engage F 27 wait for the volume to reach the level you prefer, then disengage F 27. The sound level will remain at this setting unless you change it. (To raise the volume, use the same approach with F key 28). Best regards, Paul

Hi everyone, I promised some photos of the sound installation but not had much free time lately. However, F-UnitMad's progress has shamed me into action. LOL. Here's the position I suggested for the speaker installation, though it was not without it's potential dangers. (trapped or chaffed wiring amongst them) I designed a speaker enclosure to make best use of the space available and took the opportunity to include an integral cover for the gear train. My good friends at Alz Soundz printed them up. You can see the complex shapes required here. Better than sticking in whatever i-phone or standard-issue speaker will fit, and allowed me to optimise the sound project for the actual speakers to be deployed in the production model To protect the additional wires passing over the flywheel the cover on the right was also included as part of the sound fitted specification. Dual 18mm x 13mm speaker drivers will handle the sound levels nicely. Here's the full installation fitted to the chassis. The white JSP socket visible on the main PCB (just in front of the ZIMO MX645P22 sound decoder) is where all the wires for the individual lighting PCBs are plugged. This arrangement means that the body can easily be removed and the 'umbilical' can be detached. Notice the number of solder pads on the main PCB - every pinout from the PluX 22 interface has an easily accessable connection, including for a Stay Alive pack (which can be fitted below the PCB). Fially a shot to show how the extra volume available in the well between the chassis frames was utilised to enhance the speaker installation. Best regards, Paul

Russ. Whilst the ZIMO decoder manuals are a cracking read, they will not help you with this request. (Don't bother with Goolge, here's a direct link: http://www.zimo.at/web2010/documents/MX-small-decoders_EN.pdf) Bachmann did not use ZIMO sound decoders when these models were commissioned by RAIL EXCLUSIVE. Most likely will be ESU V3.0, V3.5 or (unlikely) V4.0.* These would have had sounds from Steve Weeks at SWD, probably not even specifically for Bachmann (or RAIL EXCLUSIVE). (Incidentally, if they had been ZIMO sound decoders, you would ost certainly have been able to update the decoder software to include the options you mention plus any MX sound project you like). This is because all ZIMO MX projects and software are backwardly compatible with all former and current ZIMO sound decoders (except one very old large scale decoder, obsolete for a dozen years or more). Just in case this was not a factory fitted sound decoder, read CV8. The value in that CV is the NMRA manufacturer's ID, which can be referenced here: Try South West Digital or RAIL EXCLUSIVE for the lists you require. Best regards, Paul

Brian, If your friendis able to read CV8 the value will give a manufacturer specific code which can be checked against the NMRA list. https://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/appendix_a_s-9_2_2.pdf From this we can see that ESU would report 151, ZIMO would be 145 and Hornby 48. Identifying the decoder type may help with diagnosing the problem you raise. Does your friend have more than one 'cab' as part of your DCC system? Is this loco under the control of another cab than the one being used? Best regards, Paul

The A4 is a three cylinder loco, the W1 as built was a 4 cylinder compound, so the sound and number of exhaust strokes (chuffs) per wheel revolution will be quite different. Here's an example available now from Digitrains:

There are several different manufacturers of these drivers, all with 18mm x 13mm form factor, but quality of sound output varies quite a lot. Philip Sutton undertook a lot of 'blind' testing of various manufacturers' offerings when the company who supplied Knowles announced that they were ceasing production. The type eventually selected was head and sholders above the rest. Don't ask me where SLW finally sourced their drivers - it was a blind testing! Best regards, Paul

1) MXULF uses standard two pin connectors, supplied. You will need to make up your own connecting cables which should be fitted to the supplied plugs, using the screw connector. 2) Yes, that's essentially the process for obtaining and loading sound projects to ZIMO decoders. Best regards, Paul

You can get the factory sound project from Minerva. I think there may be a kit price for sound loaded decoder and speaker. Certainly this was discussed at the time of release, but I'm not sure what was finally decided. In any event, Minerva will be able to help you. Decoder and speaker are fitted in the water tank, above the motor, so there's space in the coal bunker for a stay alive, possibly enough space available in the smoke box but it's been some time since I looked inside so I can't confirm. Stay alive - Lais Kung Fu from Digitrains. Supercapacitor pack with very small form factor. Best regards, Paul

Have a look at the last few pages of this thread. https://ngrm-online.com/index.php?/forums/topic/28870-Bachmann-winter-2021-009-double-farlie-announcement/page/15/#comments Best regards, Paul

Hi Everyone, Happy New Year. Finally found time to shoot a short video of the sound fitted production model Class 14. Unfortunately this one still has the incorrectly decorated cab, for now, but all else is as you will get with the release models. The model features a custom speaker enclosure, I'll tell you more about that later as well as some of the features available in the sound project. For now, have a look at this and enjoy a cuppa. Best regards, Paul

Hi David, The SLW Class 24 body is a tight fit - that's to prevent rattling and buzzing when the sound is playing. Remember this model was designed to be sound fitted from its inception. The best way I have found to remove the body from Class 24 is to temporarlily refit it to the plinth it arrives with using the two screws. This allows you to handle the model without damaging the delicate areas around the tanks. The screws fix the chassis to the plinth, (which can be clamped down if necessary) allowing the lower body edges to be gently prised outwards to release the clips then the body will lift off vertically. Best regards, Paul

As you have discovered, not all ZIMO sound projects are created equal. There is also the physical problem that although Dapol recommend ZIMO for this model, no one there seems to have thought to check out if the decoder pin-outs match their PCB design (it doesn't!). As mentioned earlier, there's a fix for this on Digitrains site, there may be some re-mapping of Function Outputs required too, but that's simple enough. I created the existing Digitrains 1st generation DMU sound project, and there's a new version (almost complete, ready next week) built especially for the Dapol models. I recorded the engine sounds from a Class 121. And of course, it coasts if you want it to. LOL. One way around this would be to get the decoder reblown at Digitrains. You will get my sound project and the correctly mapped outputs. (I need to check, but I think you may still need the modification shown). To immediately address your lack of brake effect on F key 7, here's what you could do. CV309 = 7 (the number of the F key) and CV349 = 6 (or something around that value to set the brake 'efficiency'). That will give you brake functionality and sound on F key 7. If you also wish to put the Brake key onto F 2 to match other projects of mine that you have, you could use ZIMO Input Mapping. The Small Decoder Manual and my post on here somewhere in the DCC Sound section both give full details on how to use this powerful User-focussed tool, but in this case, CV407 = 2 and CV402 = 7 will effectively swap whatever is on F key 2 to F key 7 and vice versa. Best regards, Paul

ZIMO produce a huge range of different types and sizes of decoders, probably more than any other manufacturer The decoders on YouChoos page have a little * which I believe is meant to represent the missing digit, so MX64* includes MX644, MX645, MX648 and so on. You can view the full range of MX small scale decoders here (sound decoders grouped on the right of the page). http://www.zimo.at/web2010/products/lokdecoder_EN.htm Best regards, Paul

The Baldwin sound project as fitted by Bachmann works with NCE PowerCab without making any changes to the PowerCab from the standard set-up (though changing the Option key to operate a a Shift key will simplify access to higher F keys). By default, the PowerCab Horn/whistle button operates whatever is on F key 2, but whilst F key 2 is a 'Latched' key (one press for On another press for OFF), the Horn key is momentary action (press and hold for on, release for OFF). In this project F Key 2 is assigned to manual brake, so if F key 2 is engaged, the model cannot be moved (the brakes are on!). F key 1 is the sound on/off key (not F key 10). F key 10 is for Speed Lock. That is, if this is engaged when moving the speed remains fixed, but the throttle can be used to change the engin sounds. Of course, if you engage this at speed = 0 then you will notg be able to drive the model as the speed will be 'fixed' at 0 (until you release F key 10. Start again with your PowerCab reset to default state (make Option Key act as Shift Key if you wish, but that's all. Turn off all power, wait a few seconds, then power up again. press only F key 1 to start the sound. open the throttle and the model will move and the exhaust sounds (Chuffs) will play. Then, read the Baldwin's user instructions/function list to discover what the other F keys on your PowerCab will operate. If you can't find them, here's the function list: Baldwin F Keys.pdf Best regards, Paul

Hi Dave, I'm not the best person to advise on Decoder Pro as I don't use it, so I can't help there. Ensure that CVs 33 and 34 each have a value of 0. Ensure CV 430 = 29, CV432 = 14 and CV434 = 15. This is ZIMO Swiss Mapping (Group 1). These will set F key 0 to operate front headlight (FO f, or 'white wire') when in the forward direction of travel and rear headlight (FO r or 'yellow wire') when travelling in reverse. If the yellow wire is connected to the front headlight instead, change CV432 =15 and CV434 = 14. You can also add individual dimming effects with Swiss Mapping if you need to reduce brightness of any individual LED. (a couple of CV changes). Best regards, Paul

Hi Dave, The full read list of CVs may help you with checking. Nigel's analysis about current operation is correct. It would seem as if the CVs have been reset to factory defaults rather than sound project defaults at some point. I suggest you first do a CV8 = 8 reset to restore the project to 'as delivered', then we both know what we're starting with and what you need to change.* After a reset you should find that the Firebox Flicker does not operate on F key 1 (but does on F key 6) and the tail lamp does not illuminate with F key 2 (but does operate in both directions with F key 13). The brown wire, Function Output 2 (aka Aux 2) is by project default set for smoke effects, so we need to change these effects. To make FO2 (Function Output 2) steady output, ensure CV128 = 0 So that the tail lamp operates with F key 13 but only illuminates when the loco is travelling forwards, make CV440 = 0 * Instead of resting you could just change CVs 35 and 36 to a value of 0 in each to prevent F keys 1 and 2 operating FOs (Auxs) but other features may not operate correctly if indeed factory defaults have been restored. For example the manual progressive brake feature on F key 2 is not configured in the factory defaults. (You can check that CV309 = 2). Come back if this doesn't sort it out for you. Best regards, Paul

Dave, There are several ways to add/map functions on ZIMO sound decoders. Which method is best often depends on what's already included and what you wish to add, though in general, ZIMO Swiss Mapping is the most comprehensive. What is the sound project loaded? What functions do you wish to add? To which keys do you wish to assign these? Best regards, Paul

Mark has explained why it may not be necessary to have a motor connected in order to programme ZIMO sound decoders, so there's not much to add to that. On ZIMO decoders, CV112 is a 'composite CV' in the same fashion as CV29 so some care is required when amending values. A ZIMO decoder from Digitrains is likely to already have in CV112 a value of 32, so to add 'High Frequency Acknowledgement' instead of short bursts of power to the motor you need to increase the value by 2 so that CV112 = 34. How effective this feature operates is ultimately down to the DCC controller you are using. Being conscious that in order to allow future acknowlegements in this way you first have to change a CV (i.e., do some programming) you may find the need to change CV112 by POM (Programming On the Main). Or if you've not yet bought the decoder, ask Jeremy or John at Digitrains to set CV112 = 34 before sound loading. That way, if you need to reset in future, it will will remain at or revert to CV112 = 34. Best regards, Paul

What sound decoder are you using?