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The horn/whistle is
playable. The DT400 has a previously undocumented feature that makes
the F2 button pressure sensitive. As such, pressing harder or lighter
will produce different tones. For more information, refer to the D-DT400.
But for this to work, the sound decoder has to be able to recognize
that button pressure change. Currently, Digitrax's new SoundFX and
Throttle Up's new Tsunami
can. Also, not all DT400s have this feature fine tuned, and therefore
don't work properly. I don't know what Digitrax will be able to do
about it. I guess it's up to AJ to determine if it can be easily implemented
on DT400s that don't have it.
This sound decoder has NO output
functions at all---not even FN0 for the front and rear lights that
are already mounted on it. To activate those lights, and have two
more functions, you have to add Digitrax's new Function Only decoder
- the D-FN04K1. This decoder is designed
to piggyback onto this sound decoder (see photo), but can be used
as a stand-alone function-only decoder to go with any other decoder.
Because the sound decoder can't control the front and rear lights,
and beause most people will want to do that, Digitrax offers a combination
pack of the sound decoder with this additional function decoder.
The capacitor you see next to the
speaker is for keeping the sounds going when the loco loses track
power. It can be replaced with a larger one if you need to. But properly
serviced loco power pickup and reasonably clean track usually keeps
sound drop-out to a minimum with any sound unit. I've been promised
that proper circuity has been provided to keep this capacitor from
causing the same problems that BLI locos have: programming problems,
and track power not coming back on after a derailment.
Future versions will be available
for other locos including steam and electrics. |
