SoundTraxx Tsunami User Manual
Tsunami™ Digital Sound Decoder
Installation Guide
for the New User
Software Release 1.00
Rev. A 11/18/05
Notice
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
SoundTraxx (Throttle Up!) shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein; nor for incidental or consequential dam
ages resulting from the furnishing, performance or use of this material.
This document contains information protected by copyright. No part of this document may be photocopied or reproduced in any form without the
prior written consent of Throttle Up! Corp.
-
Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
SoundTraxx, Tsunami, SoundTraxx DCC, Digital Sound Decoder, Dynamic Digital Exhaust, Auto-Exhaust and Hyperlight are
trademarks of Throttle Up! Corp.
Table of Contents
All Aboard! ...........................................................................1
Overview ................................................................................................1
Features ................................................................................................2
Installation ...........................................................................4
Pre-Installation Checklist .......................................................................4
Step 1: Select Your Locomotive ............................................................6
Step 2: Test the Stall Current .................................................................7
Step 3: Plan the Installation ................................................................... 8
Step 4: Isolate the Motor ..................................................................... 14
Step 5: Modify the Tender or Body Shell .............................................16
Step 6: Secure the Speaker In Place .................................................. 18
Step 7: Install the Exhaust Cam (Steam) ............................................ 19
Step 8: Install and Wire the Decoder ................................................... 22
Step 9: Test the Installation .................................................................29
Support ...............................................................................30
Service and Warranty Policy ...............................................................30
Overview
All Aboard!
Congratulations on the purchase of your SoundTraxx™ Tsunami™ Digital
Sound Decoder™. Properly installed, your Digital Sound Decoder (DSD)
will provide all the pleasures of high quality, digital onboard sound and
the benefits of today’s DCC (Digital Command Control) technology. With
the proper tools, basic modeling skills and common sense, equipping a
locomotive with sound is not difficult. It may, however, be a new experience
for you, and you will find that successive installations will go more quickly
than the first. Please note that while each decoder is tested thoroughly
before it is shipped, we cannot control the correctness or quality of the
installation. It is imperative that you follow the directions, and never remove
the protective heat shrink from the decoder; there are no adjustments or user
serviceable parts and this will void your warranty.
If this is your first decoder installation, this
step-by-step instructions for a successful first installation. The User’s Guide
will walk you through the various aspects of programming your Tsunami
decoder, as well as some tips on troubleshooting. Once you’ve had some
experience using and programming your decoder, the Tsunami Technical
Reference will provide a list of all the CVs available for use with Tsunami
decoders. This reference also explains their exact function and make-up for
those who wish to have a complete reference for advanced programming
techniques.
Technical bulletins covering various topics are also published from time to
time, and these, along with the Technical Reference may be downloaded
free of charge from our website at www.soundtraxx.com.
Installation Guide will give you
Tsunami Installation Guide Page 1
All Aboard!
Tsunami Features
Tsunami Digital Sound Decoders have a great number of new features
designed to enhance your operating experience. Many features operate
similarly to previous SoundTraxx decoders, but some features will require a
little explanation.
Some of the enhancements include:
Decoder Features
• Supports extended address mode for assigning any locomotive number
up to 9,999.
• Supports advanced consist addressing.
• Supports ‘Operation Mode Programming’, allowing CVs to be changed
on the mainline without using a programming track.
Sound Features
There are many new sound effects (now over 20 sound effects!) and the
ability to adjust the sounds to suit your ear (and model) has been greatly
expanded and improved. You can now adjust the volume of each sound
effect individually with Tsunami’s built-in mixer!
The addition of a short whistle/horn effect will allow you to more easily
incorporate signaling practices into your operations. There is also the option
of replacing the short whistle function with an alternate whistle or horn for the
engine which carried two whistles or occasionally, a horn and a whistle.
For those with limited function keys, you may wish to enable the automatic
signal feature, which will activate Stop, Forward, Reverse and Grade
Crossing whistle signals automatically in response to train motion.
More Sound Features
• Adjustable Volume Controls • 1-Watt Audio Amplifier
• Seven-Band Equalizer • Adjustable Reverb
• Auto-Exhaust™ allows chuff to be synchronized to the locomotive speed
without a synchronizing exhaust cam (steam); cam is optional.
Steam Sound Effects
• Steam Exhaust Chuff • Bell
• Whistle • Short Whistle
• Airpump • Dynamo
• Water Stop • Brake Squeal
• Brake Release • Side Rod Clank
• Snifter Valve • Injectors
• Johnson Bar/Power Reverser • Firebox Blower
• Steam Release • Boiler Pop Valve
• Fireman Fred’s tool box (5 effects) • Coupler Clank
• Dynamic Digital Exhaust™ modifies
exhaust volume, cutoff and timbre as locomotive load changes.
Tsunami Installation Guide Page 2
Tsunami Installation Guide Page 3
All Aboard!
Diesel Sound Effects
• Engine Exhaust (8 notches) • Engine Startup
• Engine Shutdown • Bell
• Airhorn • Short Airhorn
• Compressor Pop-off • Dynamic Brakes
• Brake Squeal • Brake Release
• Radiator Fans • Coupler Clank
• Turbo Whine (some models) • Fireman Ed’s tool box
Throttle Features
Tsunami Digital Sound Decoders have greatly improved throttle features
built into our Hyperdrive system. With the addition of these features, you
will be able to better eliminate motor noise, better control your locomotive
speed under varying conditions and adjust for differences between various
manufacturers’ models.
• Supports 14, 28 and 128 speed step modes.
• Programmable acceleration, deceleration
and starting voltage for prototypical starting and stopping.
• Use of standard and alternate speed tables.
• Load Compensation
• Silent High Frequency Motor Drive
Lighting Features
All of our Hyperlight effects are available in our Tsunami decoders. One new
addition, the Dyno-Light, provides the missing element in the operation of the
Dynamo, or steam generator. This mimics the effect of the gradual increase
in brightness as the generator spools up and supplies power to the headlight.
The new LED Compensation will adjust the lighting output level to account
for the visual differences in your lighting effects when using an LED rather
than an incandescent bulb.
• Four function outputs for headlight and backup light or other effects
• Supports ”Rule 17” operation or automatic direction control
• 100mA Current Sink Capacity
• Each output may be programmed with our Hyperlight™ Lighting effects:
Lighting Effects
• Simple On/Off Lamp • Dimmable light
• Oscillating headlight • Mars Light
• Pyle-Gyralite • Prime Stratolite
• Western-Cullen Rotary Beacon • Single Strobe
• Type I and II Ditch Lights • Double Strobe
• FRED (Flashing Rear End Device) • Engine Exhaust Flicker
• Firebox Flicker • Dyno-Light
• Smart Firebox Flicker – synchronizes with
sound of the firebox door opening and closing
Tsunami Installation Guide Page 3
Installation
Pre-installation Check List
It will be a great temptation to begin connecting wires immediately. Before
you install your Tsunami Digital Sound Decoder, there are some simple
precautions you should take.
First, read the instruction sheet that came with your decoder carefully! It will
always be the source of the most recent information. Then finish reading this
Installation Guide.
• The DSD should be handled carefully in a static-free environment. To
discharge static electricity, touch a water pipe or grounded, metal surface
before handling the decoder.
• Never remove the decoder’s protective shrink tubing. First, you will void
your warranty and second, you will compromise the decoder’s built in
thermal management system.
• Never make connections to the decoder while it is powered. Doing so
makes for an accident waiting to happen.
• Make sure all electrical connections are insulated. Avoid using electrical
tape, as it tends to unravel over time. We recommend using heat
shrinkable tubing instead.
• Never allow the decoder leads to come in contact with any DCC track
wiring except those specifically designed for that purpose.
• Never allow speaker outputs to become shorted together.
• Never allow motor outputs to become shorted together.
• Do not exceed the output ratings for which the decoder is designed.
• Take your time and have fun!
In the event you damage your decoder during installation, our return policy
is stated in the rear of this manual as well as posted on our website with an
effective date reflecting any changes.
Tools and Materials You Will Need
In addition to the common hand tools found on most modeler’s workbenches,
you should have at your disposal:
• Low wattage (under 25 watts) solder iron
• Rosin Core Solder
• Hobby Knife
• High Speed Motor Tool (such as a Dremel)
• Miniature Screwdriver Set
• Diagonal Cutters
• Multi-meter
• Double Sided Tape
• Silicone RTV
• Heat gun
• Assorted sizes of heat-shrink tubing (SoundTraxx P.N. 810037)
• Insulative Tubing (SoundTraxx P.N. 810036)
Tsunami Installation Guide Page 4
Tsunami Installation Guide Page 5
Installation
P.N. 810022
1.3mm 1.5 Volt Micro-bulbs
P.N. 810012
2-pin Micro-connector
P.N. 810123
Pkg. of 4 Eight-pin
NMRA Connectors
P.N. 810058
Pkg. of 10 Single-pin
Micro-Mini Connector
We also recommend the following items to aid your installation:
Micro connectors can be used to facilitate easy separation of items like
speakers from the locomotive. SoundTraxx offers an economical 2-pin
connector (P.N. 810012) and a 10 pack of mini-micro connector pins and
sockets (P.N. 810058).
SoundTraxx P.N. 810123 is an NMRA-compatible 8-pin socket useful for
converting harnessed decoders to a more ‘plug and play’ format.
SoundTraxx offers two sizes of 1.5 Volt micro-bulbs for use with the included
lighting effects. P.N. 810022 is a 1.3mm diameter bulb and P.N. 810024 is a
2.2mm diameter bulb. Bulbs are also available in economical six-packs.
SoundTraxx offers a variety of high quality, miniature speakers suitable for
use with Digital Sound Decoders. Wherever possible, choose the largest
speaker that can be fit into the locomotive.
Tsunami Installation Guide Page 5
Installation
Step 1. Select Your Locomotive
If this is the first time you have installed sound in a locomotive, then we
suggest you choose your locomotive carefully. A few simple precautions will
ensure that your first effort produces a great sounding locomotive instead of
an intimidating ball of wires:
• Don’t pick a locomotive whose stall current exceeds the rating of the
decoder.
• Do pick a smooth running locomotive that runs well on straight DC
power. A smooth running mechanism is vital for good throttle control
and enhances the realism of the sound. Dirty, worn out or binding
mechanisms not only overload the decoder, but also will have trouble
starting smoothly and will destroy the illusion created by the AutoExhaust feature if they barely lurch along at half throttle.
• Do start with an engine that is ‘sound-ready’ if possible, such as an
engine with predrilled speaker holes. The simpler you can make your first
installation, the better.
• Don’t pick a noisy engine, or one which experiences some arcing or
sparking when in operation. The best sound will come from locomotives
powered with can motors. Older, open-frame motors may produce an
offensive, interference sound.
Tsunami Installation Guide Page 6
Tsunami Installation Guide Page 7
Installation
Ammeter
DC Power Pack set to 14V
(12V for N-Scale)
Step 2. Test the Motor Stall Current
Test the locomotive’s stall current to ensure that it is compatible with the
Tsunami model you have selected.
1. Place the locomotive on a section of track powered by a conventional
DC power pack set to the same track voltage as your command station
(typically 12-14 volts).
2. Connect a DC ammeter in series with one of the track feeders as shown
in Figure 1. If your power pack has built in meters, they may be used for
this purpose.
Figure 1 - Testing the Locomotive’s Stall Current
3. While grasping the locomotive to prevent it from taking off, turn the power
pack on.
4. Stop the motor from turning by firmly pushing it down into the track or
grabbing hold of the flywheel.
5. To ensure the most accurate measurement, be sure that the power pack
voltage remains at the voltage set in Step 1 of this test.
6. Measure the current the locomotive is drawing while the motor is stalled.
This is the stall current and must be less than the decoder’s rated
capacity.
Tsunami Installation Guide Page 7
Installation
Backup Light
Right Rail Pickup
usually connects
to locomotive frame
Headlight
Speake
r
Left Rail Pickup
usually connects
to tender fram
e
Blue
Whit
e
Motor (+) Lead
Motor (-) Lead
Black
Yellow
Purple
Blue
Orange
Gray
Red
Digital
Sound
Decode
r
Step 3. Plan the Installation
You should give some thought to where the installation of the various DSD
components will be within the locomotive before you get started. Provide
ventilation for the decoder if possible, mounting the decoder so that some
airflow can occur. Also, mount the decoder away from other heat sources,
such as the motor or lamps to reduce the chance of overheating. If you can,
mount the decoder so that the ‘flat’ side is against a metal chassis or weight.
This will further help to dissipate heat. Always, always provide a proper baffle
(enclosure) for the speaker. Lack of a speaker baffle is the leading cause
of poor sound quality or low volume. Finally, make sure to use the largest
speaker that you can fit, as a bigger speaker will provide more volume and
deeper bass.
Figure 2 shows a typical Tsunami installation in a die-cast locomotive.
Following as many of the guidelines above as possible, we’ve mounted the
flat side of the decoder against the tender shell to help dissipate some heat.
The speaker is mounted up under the coal load, and the decoder is not
mounted near the motor or lamps.
Figure 2 - Typical Steam Sound Installation
In Figure 3, the speaker is mounted on a deck plate fabricated from sheet
styrene pointing up through the coal load. The tender shell acts as a baffle
for the speaker. The plastic coal load can be perforated with small holes
made with
a pin vise
or hand
drill. The
decoder is
mounted to
the weight
on the
floor of the
Tsunami Installation Guide Page 8
tender.
Figure 3 - A typical speaker installation using the tender as
the speaker enclosure.
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