Tsunami2 Digital Sound Decoder. Diesel Manual - part 2

All Aboard!

Tsunami2 Diesel User’s Guide

Next, turn on F11 to simulate applying the train brake. Turning off F11 will release the train
brakes and cycle the air compressor to recharge the train line.

You can use F11 to activate the train brake only when the F12 brake select function is turned
on. Turn off F12 to reselect the independent brake for F11 and disable the train brake. Refer to
“Configuring Throttle and Braking” to set the train brake rate and allow the train brake function to
reduce speed when activated.

Apply Dynamic Brakes

Diesel locomotives turn the electric traction motors into generators providing resistive electrical
force to help slow the train when descending grades. Follow the steps below when applying
dynamic brakes with F4:

1. Accelerate to a moderate speed (greater than speed-step 8 of 128).

2. Turn on F4 to apply light dynamic brakes.

3. Turn off F4 to apply heavy dynamic brakes.

4. Turn on F4 a second time to reapply light dynamic brakes.

5. Turn off F4 to exit dynamic braking.

Refer to “Configuring Throttle and Braking” to set up the dynamic brake function to reduce
locomotive speed when applied.

Note: Dynamic brakes cannot be applied when the locomotive is stopped, and heavy dynamic
brakes can only be applied at throttle settings above speed-step 8 when in 128 speed step
mode.

Mute Sound Effects

Turn on F8 to mute all sound effects when you need to silence your train. The mute function
allows a quick way to turn off sound effects for a phone call, for instance. Press F8 again to
return all sound effect volume levels to their prior settings.

Activate Straight-to-Eight

Turn on F10 to immediately advance engine RPM to notch 8. Manual RPM+ and RPM- notching
commands will be ignored for the duration that straight-to-eight is active. Press F10 again to re-
enable manual notching control and reset engine RPM to the prior notch setting.

Couple and Uncouple

Turn on F13 to engage the sound of the coupler as you add cars to your train. When you
uncouple, press F13 a second time to open the knuckle and separate the glad hands.

Use Switching Mode

To improve throttle control for switching operations, turn on F14 to override all momentum CVs
and reduce the current throttle setting by 50%. Press F14 again to reset locomotive speed to the
prior speed step and reactivate all momentum CV settings. For more information about
momentum CVs, refer to “Configuring Throttle and Braking.”

Tie Down the Handbrake

Turn on F15 while your locomotive is stopped to set the handbrake. Turn off F15 to release the
handbrake before moving.

All Aboard!

Tsunami2 Diesel User’s Guide

Activate HEP Mode or Start the Turbine

Head-end power is the system that generates and distributes electrical power from a locomotive
to the rest of the train. Turn on F16 to activate head-end power mode. The alarm bell will ring
out for five seconds, and the engine RPM will advance to the appropriate notch setting for the
prime mover. Manual RPM+ and RPM- notching commands and attempts to turn on the
straight-to-eight or straight-to-idle function will be ignored for the duration that HEP mode is
active. Turn off F16 to return the prime mover to normal operation.

Note: GE prime movers advance to notch 6 when HEP mode is activated.

If you have selected the Gas Turbine Electric (GTEL) sound set, turning on F16 will start the
massive jet engine and get the engine for power.

Note: Like the prototype, the diesel hostler motor must be turned on to start the turbine.

Refuel the Locomotive

While your locomotive is stopped, turn on F17 to remove the fuel cap, insert the fuel nozzle into
the fuel tank, and begin refueling the engine. Press F17 again before departing to stop fueling,
remove the fuel nozzle, and replace the fuel cap.

Perform General Service

While your locomotive is stopped, turn on F18 to open the cab door and allow Fireman Ed to
tighten nuts and bolts with his wrench and use his pneumatic oiler as needed. Press F18 again
before departing to stop performing general service and close the cab door.

Coast with Straight-to-Idle

When traveling downgrade or when little horsepower is necessary to keep your train moving,
turn on F19 to immediately decrease the engine RPM level to idle. Manual RPM+ and RPM-
notching commands will be ignored for the duration that straight-to-idle is active. Press F9 again
to re-enable manual notching control and reset engine RPM to the prior notch setting.

Turn on the Steam Generator or Auxiliary HEP Generator

Turn on F20 to stimulate the steam generator passing steam throughout the length of the train.
Steam generators are generally used to heat drinking water and provide climate control to
passenger cars. Press F20 again to turn off the steam generator.

If you’ve enabled the auxiliary HEP (Head End Power) generator using CV 112 (Sound
Configuration 1) turning on F20 will begin the start-up sequence for a small diesel engine used
to power an onboard electrical generator. Turning off F20 will shut down the small diesel engine.
Refer to “Configuring Sound Effects” for more information about this feature.

Open the Sander Valve

In the real world, wet rails can cause wheels to slip. When extra traction is needed, turn on F21
to open the sander valve. You will hear the quiet sound of sound being deposited onto the rails.
Press F21 again to close the sander valve.

Not included in software releases prior to version 1.2

Software releases prior to version 1.2 do not support the auxiliary HEP generator but do support the

steam generator feature.

All Aboard!

Tsunami2 Diesel User’s Guide

Listen to Cab Chatter

Turn on F22 to hear railroad radio transmissions being exchanged from inside the cab. The
radio will play messages at random while F22 is turned on. Press F22 again to turn off the
function and mute the radio.

Announce “All Aboard!”

Turn on F23 before leaving the station to issue the conductor’s “all aboard!” announcement.
After the coach doors slam shut, increase the throttle and depart the station.

Turn On FX3-FX6 Lighting

Depending on board format, Tsunami2 offers up to six lighting outputs to support Hyperlight
effects. If you have additional lights wired to the FX3-FX6 function outputs, use function keys
F24-F27 to activate them. To select Hyperlight effects for lighting outputs, ref

er to “Configuring

Lighting Outputs.”

Make an Emergency Stop

Press the emergency stop button to issue the emergency brake application, bring the prime
mover to idle, and bring your train to an immediate stop.

Automatic Sound Effects

Tsunami2 plays a variety sound effects automatically. Automatic sound effects respond
prototypically to aspects of operation, such as certain functions, speed settings, and motor load
changes.

Prime Mover

When the decoder receives track power, the low-oil pressure alarm bell plays followed by the
prime mover start sequence. The prime mover is automatically adjusted by auto-notching and
Dynamic Digital Exhaust as you operate.

Refer to “Configuring the Decoder,” “Configuring

Sound Effects,” and “Configuring Dynamic Digital Exhaust” to modify automatic engine exhaust
sound effects.

Poppet Valve

Listen to each “pop!” of the poppet valve popping-off in the background while the prime mover is
running. To adjust the poppet valve release rate, refer to “Configuring Sound Effects.”

Air Compressor

The air compressor maintains air pressure during operation. It will cycle to charge the train line
when F12 is turned on and off. It will also operate for a longer period of time when the coupler
function is turn on and every third time the independent brake is applied.

Clickety-Clack

The “clickety-clack” of the locomotive running across rail joints is synchronized in proportion to
locomotive speed. To adjust the clickety-

clack sound effect, refer to “Configuring Sound

Effects.”

Fireman Ed

Each time the engine is brought to a stop, Fireman Ed may attend to a randomly selected task
(or tasks), including opening the cab door, turning on the air-conditioning, using his pneumatic
oiler and more.

Radiator Fans

The sound of the fans used to cool the radiators are heard while the prime mover is running.

All Aboard!

Tsunami2 Diesel User’s Guide

CV Programming Tutorial

What is a CV? Configuration Variable (CV) is the industry-

adopted term for a decoder’s

user-adjustable memory locations. CVs allow you to adjust various decoder properties and
customize your operating experience. The address, audio settings, motor control, lighting
effects, and function assignments are just some of the properties you can adjust with CVs. You
can modify CVs at any time and the decoder will save your settings even when the power is
turned off. If reading about CV programming already has your head spinning, this tutorial will
help you understand how CVs work.

At first glance, you may feel overwhelmed by the large number of CVs offered by Tsunami2.
Do

n’t worry! You don’t need an engineering degree to customize your decoder’s settings. As

you have already seen, the decoder has been shipped with all CVs pre-programmed so you can
begin using your locomotive immediately without having to worry about what adjustments to
make.

Making adjustments is easy, and you can customize settings one CV at a time. As you become
comfortable with its operation, move onto a new section and begin exploring the options and
capabilities found there. Detailed information on any CV can be found in the Tsunami2 Diesel
Technical Reference. When in doubt, you can always reset the decoder to factory defaults.
Refer to “Resetting CVs (Starting Over)” for more information.

Bits and Bytes

All the bits, bytes, and other symbols used in decoder manuals as well as differences between
command stations can make CV programming difficult to understand. The problem is
compounded further by differences in each command station manufacturer’s user interface. Put
simply, each CV contains a value that can be changed, and changing the value of a CV will
modify a specific decoder setting. Each CV is made up of one byte (i.e., eight bits). However,
knowing a little more about how CV values are represented will help you make the right
adjustments. CV values are commonly represented in the two numeric formats listed below.

Binary

Like computers, binary is the numbering system used in all DCC decoders. Binary units are
called “bits” and can be represented as either 0 or 1.

Decimal

Decimal representation is the format you will probably use most often. Each CV contains a
decimal value from 0 to 255.

We have tried to use the decimal number system in this manual when describing the proper
values to program into a given CV; however, you will occasionally find values listed in the
Technical Reference in both binary and decimal forms. For those more familiar with the binary
method of programming, we have provided a handy-dandy conversion table in Appendix A that
allows one to quickly convert between decimal, binary and hex (for some older command
stations).

Programming by the Bits

Most CVs contain a single piece of data which can be represented in decimal or binary. For
example, CV 128 (Master Volume) can be loaded with any value from 0 to 255 and it will always
and only affect one thing

– the overall volume of the decoder.

Content .. 1 2 3 ..