Tsunami 2 without a motor.

[onequiknova]

I would like to use a spare Tsunami 2 decoder in an unpowered cab car. My plan is to mute everything I won't need be needing, including the prime mover. Will this work without the motor leads connected to anything?

Thanks.

[bnsf971]

I think it uses a motor pulse to confirm programming changes.
Can you use the Soundcar decoders to do the same thing?

[onequiknova]

Jan 6, 2022 5:41:44 GMT -8 bnsf971 said:

I think it uses a motor pulse to confirm programming changes.
Can you use the Soundcar decoders to do the same thing?

Thanks. I originally purchased a Soundcar for this project, but it doesn't have the consisting ability I'm looking for. I wonder if there is some kind of work around to the lack of motor.

[jonklein611]

Jan 6, 2022 6:36:22 GMT -8 onequiknova said:

Jan 6, 2022 5:41:44 GMT -8 bnsf971 said:

I think it uses a motor pulse to confirm programming changes.
Can you use the Soundcar decoders to do the same thing?

Thanks. I originally purchased a Soundcar for this project, but it doesn't have the consisting ability I'm looking for. I wonder if there is some kind of work around to the lack of motor.

No consist needed perhaps for the Soundcar. Program it to the same address as your lead loco.

[edwardsutorik]

Seems like you could use the Tsunami 2 if you replaced the motor with a resistor. And that maybe only for the programming.

I did a quick search ("dcc decoder replace motor with resistor") and found this on the Kalmbach forum:

cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/282534.aspx


A 10 to 47 ohm resistor (wattage?).


Ed

[onequiknova]

Jan 6, 2022 7:27:57 GMT -8 jonklein611 said:

Jan 6, 2022 6:36:22 GMT -8 onequiknova said:

Thanks. I originally purchased a Soundcar for this project, but it doesn't have the consisting ability I'm looking for. I wonder if there is some kind of work around to the lack of motor.

No consist needed perhaps for the Soundcar. Program it to the same address as your lead loco.

That crossed my mind, but in forward I'd want the bell and horn coming only from the loco, while in reverse, I'd want those sounds only coming from the cab car. Not to mention lighting the headlights or marker lights on each end depending on direction.

[onequiknova]

Jan 6, 2022 7:43:32 GMT -8 edwardsutorik said:

Seems like you could use the Tsunami 2 if you replaced the motor with a resistor. And that maybe only for the programming.

I did a quick search ("dcc decoder replace motor with resistor") and found this on the Kalmbach forum:

cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/282534.aspx


A 10 to 47 ohm resistor (wattage?).


Ed

Thanks Ed. I knew someone had to try this before. Time to order some resistors.

[jonklein611]

I'm surprised that they don't make an equivalent to the LokSound Fx line.

[edwardsutorik]

Jan 6, 2022 8:03:09 GMT -8 jonklein611 said:

I'm surprised that they don't make an equivalent to the LokSound Fx line.

Maybe there's a larger market for such a thing in Europe, compared to here, thus "inspiring" ESU.


Ed

[onequiknova]

So the resistor over the motor leads seems to have done the trick. I haven't completely programed it yet, but I was able to change the address, mute the prime mover, and a few other things. I used a 47 ohm 1/4 watt resistor.

Thanks guys.

[Mark R.]

Also a good idea to set CVs 2, 5 and 6 all to zero as well. If the resistor happens to get power from the throttle, if the decoder is mu'd to another it will get really hot. At only 1/4 watt, it will likely burn itself up.

Mark.

[onequiknova]

Jan 13, 2022 17:53:12 GMT -8 Mark R. said:

Also a good idea to set CVs 2, 5 and 6 all to zero as well. If the resistor happens to get power from the throttle, if the decoder is mu'd to another it will get really hot. At only 1/4 watt, it will likely burn itself up.

Mark.

That is definitely in the plans when I finish programing it, but thanks for the reminder.

[edwardsutorik]

I think Mark's idea is great. But going the belt-and-suspenders route:

12 V X 1 A = 12 W

I see plenty of 10 watt resistors on Amazon, and they're inexpensive and smaller than a motor that isn't there.

I think I'll get "a couple" just to have around.



Ed

[cemr5396]

I just finished something similar, putting a TSU PNP-8 in an air compressor car for lighting control and sound effects. It worked fine without anything hooked up to the motor contacts.



I have noticed it is VERY sensitive to power interruptions. The car gets power from a pair of Athearn power pickup trucks which I assume are the same as on their sound equipped reefers. The obvious solution would be to add a Current Keeper/Keep Alive but this decoder came off my pile of damaged decoders and does not have its Current Keeper plug any more. I figured I'd try and use it because I really didn't have anything to lose if it didn't work.

Anyone know a way to add a Current Keeper without that plug? Is there somewhere else I can attach the leads for the Current Keeper that will accomplish the same thing?

[mvlandsw]

Here's a video.