Incremental Programming" Of Sound Cv's, An Alternative To "Normal" Programming; The Test Run For Determining The Motor's Basic Load; Basic Settings Independent Of Powertrain - ZIMO MX638 Series Instruction Manual

Page 42 Non-Sound Decoder MX618 - MX638 and Sound Decoder MX640 - MX659
5.2 "Incremental Programming" of sound CV's,
an alternative to "normal" programming
Configuration variables (CVs) for optimizing sound effects can of course be programmed in the con-
ventional manner by changing CV values using the cab in service mode (on the programming track)
or in operational mode (on the main track), but many can alternatively also be programmed by
"Incremental" programming.
This method is not suitable for CVs where individual bits need to be set independently.
The "incremental programming" is a special process of the "operational mode" programming with the
following fundamental principle: the CV's are not programmed with an absolute value (as is normally
the case) but rather the current value of a CV is being incremented or decremented by a fixed value
(defined in the decoder for each CV).
The function keys of the cab temporarily serve as instruments for the incremental programming,
which means they cannot be used for function output actuations during that time. The function keys
are temporarily assigned for this task with the "Pseudo-Programming"
which changes the function keys to INC and DEC keys, first for CV #266 (that is the CV number de-
rived from the value + 200).
Several CV's are grouped together in one procedure for an easier and better handling. In the case of
CV #301 = 66, the leading CV #266 ("Lead-CV") is assigned for incremental programming as well as
CV #267 and #268.
This is again shown here by means of the ZIMO cab with the special MX31 display, but is valid anal-
ogous for the function keys of other cabs.
The function keys have the following special meaning
during the selection
ZIMO MX31 key arrangement:
1 2 3
F0 F1 F2
((((( ((((( (((((
4 F3 5 F4 6 F5
((((( ((((( (((((
7 8 9
F6 F7 F8
((((( ((((( (((((
The last line shown in gray (absolute CV values) will not be available until bidirectional communication is being implemented!
F0, F3, F6 Incrementing, decrementing and default setting of the lead CV number that was
entered during the "Pseudo-Programming" initiation CV #301 = ... (or via menu
with the MX31).
F1, F4, F7 Incrementing, decrementing and default setting of the second CV number of that
group; which CV's that are part of a group is shown in the CV table or is
indicated in the ZIMO MX31 cab display.
F2, F5, F8 Incrementing, decrementing and default setting of the third CV number of that
group (if the group includes 3 CV's).
The incrementing and decrementing of CV values (usually in the 0...255 range) takes place in steps
of 1, 5, 10 or 15; this is predefined by the decoder software and cannot be changed. Intermediate val-
ues can be entered by direct CV programming, which in reality is hardly necessary.
The "cuckoo jingle" sounds when....
CV #301 = 66,
MENU SOUND Incr.Prog
procedure!
CV 266 CV 267 CV 268
((((( + Total Chuff
Incrementing!
volume beat volume
(((( -
Decrementing!
+ 2 - 40
(((( 0 = 43 = 17
Set to default value!
Drawing of an MX31 display, not a photo!
.... the upper or lower end of a CV value range is reached!
If RailCom is not available (because the system used is not equipped with RailCom), the value of a
particular CV can only be determined by reading it out on the programming track. Although, most of
the time this is not necessary since the reaction to a changed CV value can immediately be heard by
the changing sound.
Note: With the MXDECUP update module it is possible to read-out and write complete CV and pa-
rameter sets and if necessary edit them on a computer!

5.3 The test run for determining the motor's basic load

The following procedure enables the (subsequent) adjustment of driving sound to engine load (i.e.
weight...), such as steam chuffs (volume and sound) with the CV's #275, 276...
inclines, pulling
Technical background:
The load-dependent sound is based on EMF (Electro Motive Force) measurements inside the decoder, which is
primarily used for keeping the motor speed constant during load changes. Before the decoder can produce the cor-
rect sound for the respective driving conditions it has to know first what these measurements are at normal "no-load"
cruising speed (smooth rolling of the engine or train on straight and level track). This "basic load" of an engine or
train is often considerably higher on model trains than on the real railroad, which is due to gearbox losses, power
pick-ups etc. Deviations from this "basic load" will then be interpreted as inclines or declines, which triggers appro-
priately modified chuff sounds.
Initiated by "Pseudo-Programming" in Operational Mode
an automated test run is performed to record the "basic load" factor in forward direction;
ATTENTION: the engine (or train) is driven automatically in forward direction for which unoccupied
track must be available of at least 5 meters (15 feet), with absolutely no inclines or declines and
.
without any (tight) curves.
Part -
With
steam
+ 3 an automated recording run is performed in reverse direction, for locomotives that have different
"basic loads" in this direction (otherwise, the basic load in reverse is considered identical to forward).
= 255
The measured results are stored in CV's #777 and 778 (slow/fast PWM values, forward) and #779
and 780 (PWM values in reverse direction); these CV's can be read out and used as needed for other
vehicles, or used as base for further tests.
Note: A "heavy" train (a train with higher rolling resistance due to power pickups of lighted coaches for
example) may have a different "basic load" than an engine with nothing on the hook. A separate re-
cording run may be required for such situations in order to obtain the best load dependent sound.
5.4

Basic settings independent of powertrain

The CV's in the following table have the same meaning for all types of power (Steam, diesel, electric):
NOTE: The default values of individual CV's are NOT decoder-specific, but rather depend on
the decoder's sound project. This means that a HARD RESET with CV #8 = 8 returns the
decoder to the state defined by the sound project. The default values listed below are values
often used in sound projects, but not necessarily the correct values in all cases.
CV #302 = 75
CV #302 = 76