2-10-0 TCS sound and motor control

[Trainman203]

Is there any on line tutorial anywhere about how to manipulate cv's in this decoder?  Can you program on the main like Soundtraxx?  Or do you need to put the TCS device on the rail to change whistles, manipulate motor control, momentum, etc?  An added remote is just something else to break or lose. Programming on the main through your cab is sensible , easy to do, and possible while operating.  Please do not talk about JMRI, that is not the direction of this discussion.  A lot of us don't use it and don't want to.

Here's the sound choices.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NFt049ZLRnc

TCS should have put these samples on their website but didn't.  The whistles are very good though.

I'm disappointed that Bachmann has apparently terminated their long relationship with Soundtraxx. I was happy with Soundtraxx products other than Sound Value which was not really their doing, and so far not pleased with available information on how to clearly negotiate Bachmann's new decoder choice.

How about an actual time report from someone who has changed whistles, set momentum, and fine tuned motor control?

[Len]

TCS has a handy CV guide for programing different sounds on their "WOWsounds" decoders on their web site. It can be found here:
https://tcsdcc.com/4CVSteamV4

Or you could use the "Audio Assist" capability of the decoder itself, explained here:
https://tcsdcc.com/node/1977

Len

[rich1998]

Yes, I have been to the TCS site a number of times. Very good site. Google search would have told him that.

This kind of reminds me of people who complain in other forums about Bachmann products and do not realize Bachmann has a site with loads of data and forums, plus reps.

TCS seems to be doing a little better than SoundTraxx anyway. Called competition.

Rich

[Len]

One of the things that got me switched over to TCS decoders was the instructions are written for real people, not just "DCC geeks".

Len

[Trainman203]

Still no real time report from someone who has done it.

[Trainman203]

No one is buying this model?

[Trainman203]

No one has this model and can describe how they readdressed it, touched up the motor control, or changed the whistle?  That's the three things I always do with every DCC decoder equipped engine I buy.  I know that somewhere on line this information is buried. It would be nice to have it told by a human being.

[thewizard]

What do you need to know? DCC decoders are standardized (to a point) thanks to the NMRA. You can program them by selecting the CV (e.g. CV1) and entering a number (e.g. 99) to set CV1 to a value of 99. Because decoders are somewhat standardized, this will set the locomotive address to 99, no matter what the brand.

I use JMRI to program my decoders, but you can use a command station to do it also. It's quite simple, and will let you alter the starting voltage, top speed (max voltage), and even the speed curve if you want to go through the effort on a throttle. If you can do it for one brand decoder it is the same for all decoder brands.

[Trainman203]

This is exactly what I need to know.

TCS seems to only have 4 CVs and I was wondering how the heck do you program all the sounds, motor control, et zap, using cv 201 through 204, only 4 cv's.  When changing cv's, are you bound with chains to the remote that goes on the track to change them?  That's probably the thing that worries me the most about TCS is the additional device needed.  What is it? And why ?  In 25 non geeking words or less if possible.

I like to program on the main.  Can you do that with TCS or do you have to put the remote on the track to do anything?  So far it seems like just something to break or lose that other decoders don't  need. Exactly what does it do?

I really don't want to buy an expensive engine and find that the decoder is awkward to use compared to the products Bachmann has utilized up to now.

[WoundedBear]

I just read through that TCS decoder manual and read about that 4 CV programming.

I understand normal DCC......That 4 CV thing makes no sense to me at all.

Sid

[Trainman203]

I waited long years for my favorite Bachmann engine, the Russian decapod, to once again appear.  And it finally did.  But.  Oh if only it had an Econami decoder (regular DCC as Sid called it accurately).  I would have bought 3.  Or more.  I'm very reluctant to drop 300 discounted on an engine with an opaque decoder.

[Hunt]

This thread was called to my attention.

A detailed comparison of how things are done using SoundTraxx vs TCS WOWsound would be best but is too time consuming thus becomes a DIY project. 

Use your NCE Pro Cab DCC system to program the decoder. The TCS UWT-100 Universal WiFi Throttle is optional as is JMRI Decopder Pro.
 
WOWsound decoder programming can use Programming on the Main (OPS) mode except  2-digit (1 – 127) address must use programming track, programming on main cannot be used or when using Audio Assist

Use as appropriate either,
1. Audio Assist Programming done on the main but the dcc system is not place in any programming mode
Open and study the following Audio Assist Programming Tree for WOWSteam as it is the method of configuring the decoder  you should use most of the time.
https://tcsdcc.com/sites/default/files/2018-05/Audio%20Assist%20Steam%20V4.pdf

https://youtu.be/IRlhCIS52XQ 101: Introduction to Audio Assist
https://youtu.be/lVbcai_DIUs Audio Assist Overview
https://tcsdcc.com/sites/default/files/2018-05/WOWSteam%20Sound%20Manual%20v4.pdf WOWSteam Sound Manual v4.pdf

2. 4-CV Programming using the WOWSteam Guided Programmer
https://tcsdcc.com/4CVSteamV4 
This is an interact tool, experiment with it.

Or

3. CVs per TCS Comprehensive Programming Guide
https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/TCSComprehensiveProgrammingGuide.pdf
Use either Program on main or use programming track mode

Some more:

https://youtu.be/j3ORTbLsE7A TCS WOWSound WOWSteam Proto-Chuff Calibration
https://youtu.be/k0JBZOsCedE TCS WOWSound Chuff Timing Adjustment
https://youtu.be/if-aHa-RBtM "Rotate Whistle" feature



The above contains information that may not be completely specific to the OEM decoder installed in the locomotive. I do not have convenient access to a 2-10-0 to determine how much of the documentation and video is specific to the decoder 

[Trainman203]

WOW 😱😂 is all I can say.  If that is the condensed explanation I'm done.  Way too much relearning required. As much as I want one, and waited for so long, I'm not buying this engine until they hit eBay for 125. Then I'm replacing the decoder with a much more sensible Tsunami2-2.

[Hunt]

Should you get a Bachmann HO 2-10-0 Decapod - DCC WowSound equipped, do yourself a favor and try it. The learning curve is not as steep as you seen to have concluded as long as you get rid of the  I will not/cannot do it mindset.      The decoder has excellent motor control and most of the optimization is done automatically by firmware in the decoder.



An aside --
In case you are not aware,   The SoundTraxx Tsunami2 uses Indexed CVs and some CVs > 255. If you program any CV greater than 255 using program track mode with the NCE Pro Cab you will corrupt other CVs in the decoder. You can program on the main with no issues.

[Trainman203]

$300 is a lot for a trial balloon for someone on a fixed income.  I have probably 30 Bachmann steam engines with Soundtraxx decoders which I am very good at manipulating, including 6 decapods right now.  And two DC ones waiting for decoders.  Then there's 10 BLI steam engines with their proprietary decoders that operate very similarly.  I really don't need another decapod with an entirely different decoder that bad, just wanted another Frisco road number.  As I said, when they get cheap on eBay I "might" get one.

One thing I wonder is why the TCS decoder is not used in N scale products, the Econami is.  Any ideas why?  I have Econamies in a few engines and they are really good, and easy to use, it's just that 15 whistle choices aren't enough after you get accustomed to a decoder with 90+.

Oh, programming tracks are a dinosaur from the electro-past. The economi and subsequent Tsunamis don't need it.