Hey! question for the group. Anyone try the new(ish) Dynamic sound control feature for the ESU loksound 5? Apparently if you have the updated lokprogrammer software and the new sound file uploaded to your loco you can use this new feature that will link the sound of the prime mover to the "load" of the engine. If the BEMF senses a load it will activate the prime mover sound and notch up, or conversely if the BEMF senses a lightening of the load, it will automatically notch down basically eliminating the need to manually notch-up/down to simulate heavy loads or coasting down a hill. I have an n scale atlas u25B with the new ESU sound file loaded up and I'm trying to get it to work but I just can't figure it out. I have a Lokprogrammer and in the sound control settings under Dynamic sound control if you set CV200 to 255 then set it on your track and activate F1 it will calibrate CV200/201 (kind of like "parameter K / CV54 back emf calibration) then you have to manually set the thresholds (CV202/CV203) for load or idle operation. When I set CV200 to 255 either through the Lokprogrammer or through my NCE Powercab on my programming track and then activate F1 nothing happens. Loco just sits their and the bell just rings. and CV200 stays at 255. Am I missing something? Anyone else try this new feature out? Thanks, John
Interesting... Technically, BEMF does not measure motor load but motor speed. However, motor current (with constant BEMF/speed) would indicate load. Both are sensed by the decoder, so they are able to implement this feature with only* a decoder SW update. Cool, I'm always a fan of innovative engineering! *"It's only SW; how hard can it be?!" says the HW developer.
Yes, I updated the Lok programmer software and the decoder did a firmware update and poof! There it was. It does also depend on the sound file. Not all sound files have this ability. And honestly, I'm not very confident on the specifics on how dynamic sound control actually works but that's my understanding based on internet searches of what it does.
True, but you can estimate load based on changes in speed. I seem to remember at least one decoder manufacturer saying they adjusted the sound based on bemf voltage, but I could be miss-remembering that.
True, unless your decoder is configured to use BEMF to maintain constant speed. BEMF indicates motor speed, regardless of load. For example, steam sound decoders sense BEMF to accurately manage the rate of chuffs, independent of load, and even if the drivers are slipping.
It can still be used to estimate load. For example, say your locomotive is running at 5,000 rpm at 50% power. If the motor starts to slow down, the decoder will see that in the bemf and increase the power to maintain 5,000 rpm, but the decoder knows that it is now outputting more power for the same rpm, so it also knows that the loco is under more load and can adjust the sound as well.
Gentlemen, while I appreciate the banter you’re kind of hijacking the thread. I was hoping somebody would explain how to use the dynamic sound control feature. Wasn’t looking for a debate on BEMF.
The dynamic sound control can be set instead of constant "loudness" that's use would be for train shows or anywhere where there is a lot of background noise. The dynamic sound is great because it is more realistic - when your loco is idling; the sound is lower, when the loco is moving and increases speed; the sound becomes louder. IMHO it is a great improvement to realistic sound from the loco. Brian
Appreciate the response. Based on what I can find about the feature, what you’re describing is something different. Dynamic sound control simulates the load of a train. How? No idea, but there are settings that can be adjusted to do it. One of the CV’s is CV200. From what I’ve learned already, I can set CV200 to 255 in the lokprogrammer software, write it too he decoder, set it on my layout and press f1, and cv200 will autotune itself. Once that is done I go back to lokprogrammer and adjust the primary and optional load threshold settings. These settings will activate the prime mover while under load or set the engine to coast while under light load or running down a hill. So, I know what it’s supposed to do. I just can’t get the autotune part to work. No mater what I do to CV200 nothing changes when I press f1. It just sits there. I’m hoping someone on here has tried this out and can help me troubleshoot. Thanks
Yes that is where I found out about it. I did a google search when I saw it appear in the loksound software and it pointed me there. My issue is that the autotune does not seem to do anything. May have to join that group to get some help.
