A $2:00 fix to
read Tsunami CVs on the Program Track with NCE PHP.
Thanks to Mark Loos, Barry Chinn and Mark Gurries.
Just recently I installed a Soundtraxx Tsunami into
an Austrains 36 steam loco. I could not read CVs on the Program Track. As I am
used to programming on the main POM, I was not unduly worried by this inability
to read CVs. Programming on the
I remembered about a modification of the early Power
House Pro (see below) and this included adding an extra lamp. Maybe I could add
another lamp to enable Tsunami CV value readings. The $2 fix to read Tsunami CVs is the
addition of an extra 80 – 100 mA lamp ONLY. Easy to do and for the
cost of a couple of dollars, well worth it considering a Soundtraxx PTB-100
costs US$59:95 (A$85:00). Now I can buy another Tsunami that has turned out to
be a really great decoder. Even better, the A$85 went towards a new Power Cab
from NCE that reads all sound loco CVs PLUS it’s a full entry level 1.7 amp DCC
system providing all but a few of the features its big brother, the Procab. See
Tony’s review
for details of the Power Cab.
Warning: This modification will void any warranty of the
PHP. While this modification allowed me to reads CVs of the Tsunamis I take no
responsibility of what impact this extra lamp has on the circuit of the PHP.
Some users of the early NCE Powerhouse Pro (pre
about 2001) with the Loop/Normal switch on the front, had difficulty reading
CVs on the Program Track when programming Soundtraxx and QSI sound equipped
locos. Reading non sound decoders was not a problem. Mark Loos suggested
replacing the 12 volt regulator with a 15 volt version and fitting an extra 14
volt 80 mA lamp. See below photo to identify. These units will need
modification as per Mark Gurries’s article, see below.
Below are three photos to identify the Command
Station/Boosters to determine the status of the circuit boards, that will
determine if just adding the extra lamp will provide reading the Tsunami CVs.
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Early POWERHOUSE Command Station/Booster with the
Loop/Normal switch. The upper Command Station circuit board removed,
showing the lower circuit board with a REV D status. Photo courtesy of Mark Loos. Units with this board may need the 15 volt
regulator upgrade as described in Mark Gurries’s article at the Files
section of the Yahoo NCE group. Select the Soundtraxx
15Vmod V2.pdf link. NCE also offered to modify this command
station/booster by what some called the Soundtraxx modification. |
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My Power Pro with the top circuit board of the
Command Station removed showing the lower boards. The circuit board had
etched 2002 and the “white” R/H sticker showing 013003. Underneath the
sticker on the R/H side etched on the circuit board is “REV F”. Shown are the two voltage regulators attached to
the R/H rear case and the third
voltage regulator, an MC7815 unit in the centre foreground in front of
the 4 capacitors and the square bridge rectifier and has two 80 mAs lamps fitted. I have not had any trouble reading sound loco CVs
except the Soundtraxx Tsunami. This unit does not require a voltage
regulator replacement. |
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A close up of the circuit board, showing the 3
voltage regulators. Top L/H – 7812, Top R/H 7805 and middle
foreground the 7815. Adjacent to screw under the 7805 voltage
regulator on the top right is the REV F etched onto the circuit board. I had to remove the 013003
sticker. On the left hand booster board is a
sticker 021103. I guess these stickers represent board manufacture dates. The long black receptacle between the
two rear regulators is where the upper board plugs in. |
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Determine the revision status of the Lower
Command Station circuit board. Circuit boards, “REV E” and on, do not
require a voltage regulator replacement. To read the Tsunami CVs on the Program Track, I
have added a third lamp to the two already fitted. The lamp is a 12 volt 80 –
100 mAs purchased from an auto parts store.
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Remove the PHP lower circuit board as per Mark’s
instructions in the above link. View of the top of the lower circuit board of the
PHP showing the two 80 mAs lamps and the receptacle for the power and program
track connections. |
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Close up of the 80 mA lamps solder connections
and program track/power receptacle. When comparing these two photos, it can be seen
that the two parallel lamps are connected in series with the power feed to
the “program track” terminals. Adding the extra lamp in parallel to the original
two, increases the current to the program track. These lamps restrict the
current, similar to what the 1156 auto lamps do in power district wiring. I have soldered two leads acting as fly leads to
extra lamp. I did this to experiment a little with different lamps. A 90 mA lamp could be connected directly to these
solder pads as Mark’s original article described to fit the second of the 80
mAs. Fit circuit boards to the original position. |
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The extra lamp with wires soldered to the “wire
lead” contacts of this automotive “wedge” 12 volt 1.2 watt lamp. Black heat
shrink to fit over connection to insulate lamp. Part numbers: Hella - W121.2 Available from auto electricians and car
accessory shops etc. Tests of the current draw of the lamp at: 12 volts is 84 mAs. 14 volts is 92 mAs |
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The lamp installed and laying on the booster
circuit board. I installed a SPST switch to disconnect this
extra lamp for all other programming. This keeps the original lower current
for checking “initial” decoder installations. The SPST switch is installed in the hole in the
PHP chassis that was used on previous PHPs for the “ I cut a hole in the facia with a sharp hobby
knife (Exacto). The switch can be left out, but I feel more
comfortable switching out the extra lamp for non Tsunami programming. Program track original current, 2 X 80 = 160 mAs.
Mod - 160 + 92 = 252 mAs. This works for me, but if it does not for you,
add two extra 80 mAs lamps as Barry has done. |
Below are the email messages on Yahoo Soundtraxx group from Barry Chinn
and me discussing the extra lamps.
-----Original Message-----
From: soundtraxx@yahoogroups.com [mailto:soundtraxx@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Barry Chinn
Sent: Saturday, 21 January 2006 5:08 AM
To: yahoo soundtraxx; Rwbrv4@aol.com
Subject: [soundtraxx] modifying NCE command station for QSI / Soundtraxx
Hello everyone.
I found the first set of instructions for 12V to 15V regulator that
shows how to modify the NCE command station for the programming track. (This applies ONLY to older units. Later units from the factory came with the
15V regulator).
Thanks again to Mark Loos & Mark Gurries. Just look at the files section of the NCE-DCC
Yahoo group. (hey, that's us?). You may not be able to click this link
directly, so go to the NCE-DCC group, then click on files --> circuits
--> Soundtraxx15Vmod.pdf
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NCE-DCC/files/Circuits%20and%20Stuff/
I am retyping the text only part of the instructions below:
NCE * 15V Regulator Upgrade
Remove the 4 screws holding the Power House Pro cover. Remove the 2 stand-off screws from the 9 pin
DIN connector on the front panel. Remove
the 2 screws on the top circuit board (toward the front panel). Carefully lift the board out, unplugging it
from the bottom board.
Remove the 2 standoffs (toward the front) on the bottom right hand side
board. Remove the 2 screws toward the
back. There are 2 regulators screwed to
the back panel - remove the screw and nut on both. The 12V MC7812C regulator is right behind the
4 large capacitors in the middle of the picture. The best way to remove the regulator is to
clip it out, and then use a solder sucker to clean out the holes. Mount the new 15V MC7815 regulator and solder
it in place.
Locate the current limit lamp toward the front of the board and solder
another 14V, 80ma bulb in parallel (across) the existing bulb. The easiest way to do this is to solder the
new bulb on to the bottom of the circuit board.
Re-assemble everything and you're good to go!
(the above from Mark Loos & Mark Gurries?)
***** Additional lamps for QSI / Soundtraxx *****
Using additional wire, 2 more 14V 80ma bulbs and a DPDT toggle switch, I
wired these in parallel with the modified additional bulb. In the center off position, you have the
normal programming configuration. When
the DPDT switch is thrown in the correct direction, the 2 add'l bulbs are
placed in parallel with the other 2 bulbs, thus increasing the maximum current
to the programming track.
If you are really bold (careless?) you can use the other position of the
DPDT switch set up to BYPASS all maximum current protection. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK, SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE
COULD RESULT. (I wired mine &
SLHRS's that way though).
/s/ Barry Chinn
Hi Barry
I did add an extra 30 mA lamp to my already modified command station
(extra lamp and 15 volt regulator) and it made no difference to trying to read
CVs on my Tsunami. I could always read CVs on all my previous Soundtraxx
decoders.
Are you saying, in total, FOUR 80 mA lamps that would give 320 mAs of
programming current? Is this safe for the "chip" that controls the
Program Track?
Have you installed these 4 lamps and are you able to read CVs on the Tsunami?
Thanks
Marcus
Hello Marcus.
Yes, I used a total of FOUR 80ma bulbs which totals 320ma. It works just fine. I also found that you absolutely must have
the motor connected for the Tsunami to read properly on the programming
track. I'm thinking of deleting the
bypass (no short protection with four bulbs, which would give a total of
480ma. That's better than having no
protection.
Anyway, try a total of four 80 ma bulbs (when circuit is cut in). Let me (us) know how that works.
/s/ Barry Chinn