I have a Zephyr DCS 50 and have tried and tried and failed miserably to program it to turn down the volume on my Bachmann 0-6-0. I've tried following the manual but just don't come up with what the manual says should come up. Horn, bell and operation work fine. I'd much appreciate it if someone could give me step by step instructions in plain language, assuming nothing, about how to turn down the volume on the chuffing and chugging. It's fun, but loud and, after awhile, gets annoying. Thanks, eagle37
The volume on some sound decoders can be controlled by pushing the F8 button on the Zephyr. And each decoder has, or should have a CV to control volume. I could find no info about volume control for the Bachmann 0-6-0 either online or on the Bachmann website. The instructions that came with the loco should have the info, but maybe not. Ben
You might need a booster Are you programing on a programing track? I think you will need some sort of booster to program. The Zephyr will not have enough power to do it on its own. This is very true with sound decoders. You could try to program in the ops mode. Not sure if that might work or not.
Maybe the decoder used by Bachmann only has one volume level. I only have LokSound and Soundtraxx decoders. Each can be set in a volume range from zero up to a maximum by programming the appropriate CV (both the range and the applicable CV vary by manufacturer). If instructions for the Bachmann decoder do not include information on volume setting, and you don't receive an answer here, you might do well to ask on the Bachmann forums. Ben
Here is the CV table for Bachman SoundTraxx decoders: http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/Sound_Decodesr_CV_DFLT.pdf Master volume appears to be CV128 and is set to 255 factory. Try setting it to 127 and see if the volume decreases by roughly half. You can also control individual sound levels. You will have to program the loco on the main. Remove all other loco's just in case and then set the program mode to ops mode. The Zephyr manual explains it from there. Sound opperated loco's won't program on the program track without some extra help. It is easier for me just to do it on the main. You also won't be able to read back values so make sure you select the right CV and value.
