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programmed with correct sounds from a real GMDD F59PH. So you can rest assured
that the sounds are bang-on accurate.
As we do for all of our sound decoders, we recorded the prime mover under load
– it was a dead unit in tow, up a grade, both ways, in a snowstorm, in July. Or
maybe it was August…hey, it’s Canada! It could happen! Anyway, locomotives
sound a lot different when they are actually working. If you have decoders from
other manufacturers in your locomotives you might want to check out the available
line of Rapido decoders on our web site. All of our decoder sounds were recorded
under load and we simply can’t stand decoders that don’t have this feature.
More detailed decoder instructions, including all sorts of weird CV settings we don’t
understand, can be found in the ESU LokSound V5 decoder manual. It is available
for download from the support section of our web site or directly from the ESU
website.
LOCOMOTIVE ADDRESS
Your Rapido F59PH comes from the factory with a decoder address of 3. We
suggest if you are using DCC control that you first test that the locomotive responds
on address 3 to all functions – motor, lights, sounds, everything. Once you have
verified that the locomotive is responding you should assign it a unique address
(normally the road number of the unit) before going any further. This can be done
either on your programming track (recommended) or on the main if your system
supports programming on the main. Be aware however that if you do program the
locomotive on the main and you have any other locomotives assigned to address
3 (the normal default address for new locomotives) that ALL of them will also be
changed to your new address! This is great if you want to simulate a bunch of kids
getting into the engine shop, notching the controllers, and then heading for the hills.
Note that some DCC systems get a little wonky when programming sound-equipped
locomotives on the programming track because of the high current draw. If weird
stuff happens, try programming on the main.
TURN ON THE SOUND
Press F8 and you will hear the F59PH startup sequence followed by the sound of it
idling. You can adjust CVs to prevent the locomotive from moving until the startup
sequence has played out. Most of us at Rapido are really impatient so we turned this
feature off. Refer to a full ESU LokSound V5 decoder manual for more information.
You can now download it from the Support section of our web site. The feature is
called the “Prime Mover Startup Delay” and is Section 13.2 on Page 89 of the ESU
LokSound V5 manual.
