“Full Throttle” Decoder Operation for Diesels
It is often challenging to make a scale model perform like it has the mass of a 260,000lb locomotive pulling 5,000 tons or more! Some of this can be done with BEMF – when the loco “feels” a load, it will automatically rev up to work harder to pull this actual load. But this is often a flawed method in modeling. Today, model train car wheels are so free rolling the cars often do not simulate sufficient drag to replicate a typical prototype situation. Also, often we do not sufficiently weigh our cars to represent a scaled-down version of the prototype.
One of the biggest problems with BEMF controlled load is in our modeling and operations we often “simulate” loads inside a closed car. The payload inside a prototype car can weigh as much as 100-tons more than the car itself. This is especially important at operating sessions. Empties in and Loads out or vice versa. There is no way for a decoder to know the proposed weight of the cars it is pulling. Our “car cards”, showing whether a car is loaded or empty, are seen only by the operator, not by our decoders!
To compensate for what the decoder cannot know, we have created Full Throttle decoder features! FT features include “Drive Hold”, “Run 8”, “Coast”, improved “Dynamic Brakes” and a new “Independent Brake” feature.
Operating Modes
The V5 decoder supports all DCC programming modes and thanks to RailCom® you may read out the CV values on the main, provided you have a command station supporting RailCom®. There are utility registers for command stations that only facilitate programming of CVs ranging from 1 to 255.
The LokSound 5 decoder supports the Märklin® braking sections, ZIMO® HLU braking commands or the Lenz® ABC system. Braking with DCC brake generators or with DC is also possible. The locomotive with a LokSound 5 decoder will also come to a halt when a Selectrix® braking diode is switched into the circuit. The ABC push-pull feature enables the automatic commuting between two stations.
The LokSound 5 decoder is suitable for analog DC operation, AC and DCC command control.
Sound
The LokSound V5 decoder can reproduce up to 10 channels simultaneously. Each channel offers up to 16 Bit / 31250 kHz and for all practical purposes, one cannot detect any difference to the original. A dual class D audio power amplifier with 3W output power feeds the speakers with a permitted impedance of 4 – 32 Ohms. The huge 128 MBit sound memory assures sufficient storage capacity.
The volume of all individual sound fragments may be adjusted separately. The outstandingly flexible sound engine without a rigid flow chart facilitates a prototypical simulation of all conceivable rail movements. Three separately adjustable braking functions and two alternative load scenarios provide you with maximum control of your vehicles.
Functions
Subject to the type of interface, every LokSound V5 has at least 10 amplified outputs with multiple lighting functions available. The brightness of each output may be adjusted separately. Loksound 5 decoders with a PluX22 or 21MTC interface have an additional 4 outputs for controlling servos or as logic outputs.
Motor control
The LokSound V5 DCC decoder supplies up to 1.5A motor current and motor control has been improved. A variable PWM pulse frequency ranging from 10 kHz to 50 kHz results in silent operation, particularly for coreless motors making motor hum a thing of the past. Load control can now be adjusted with up to 10 separate CVs and will manage even the most difficult motor control issues. The unique “Auto-Tune” function facilitates the automatic calibration of the decoder to perfectly match the motor.
Free Sound Loading
Loksound decoders come preloaded with a generic sound file. Loksound offers various sound files recorded from the working locomotives, which can be found on the official ESU Website (Here). We offer free loading of sound files; when checking out, specify the sound file in the notes section of checkout. You can load sound files with the Lok Programmer; however, it is not required as decoders can be purchased with sound files preloaded, and CV Changes can be done using control systems. If you want to use the Lok Programmer to load sounds yourself, we highly recommend using the decoder tester when loading sound files.