ESU v5 Nano volume too soft- can barely hear: SOLVED

[u18b]

I just installed an ESU Nano v5 in my N scale Athearn Challenger.
Install works- except volume is terribly low.

I started with the same exact sound file I use in my Shay.  So I don't think it's the file itself.  Sound from my Shay is nice and loud.

I tried different speakers.  Same result.

Sound works, but it is like on volume level 1 or 2 out of 10.  You can barely hear it.

Suggestions?
Experienced modeler and DCC in general.
Not so experienced with sound.

 

[Cajonpassfan]

Ron, did you try to reset Master Volume (CV63)? Try like 150 and see what happens...
Otto

[u18b]

Thanks for the suggestion.
I checked.  It was already at max = 192

[tehachapifan]

What sound file is this? I know with diesel files from ESU, there's also a separate volume for the prime mover in addition to the master volume.

[peteski]

In ESU decoders all the sound slots have individual volume control in addition to the master volume.

I'm assuming the speaker attached to an appropriate air tight enclosure.  I'm also assuming that the speaker is 8 or 4 ohm.

Assuming that all the sounds (bell, whistle, etc.) also come in at lower volume.

Assuming that the speaker is connected to the correct wires, then it sounds (pun intended) like the audio amplifier on the decoder is defective.

I know, I'm assuming a lot.   

[u18b]

Thanks for everyone’s input so far.
I did change a cv as directions suggest (cv31 I think- I’m not at home).
I think went to every sound slot and raised the volume.

The bell is almost good. That progress.
And the dynamo was too loud.

But the deep steam whistle and the chuffing are still barely audible.

The file is the Challenger file. 

I have two Nanos.   I programmed both when new with a Shay file in order to establish that they work.     Tonight, I will retest the other unused Nano to see if it is better. 

As for the speaker, don’t know what ohm it is.  It is the stock speaker Athearn put it. Pretty good size.  And yes, air tight in its stock enclosure.

I did post on the ESU forum wondering if only the amplifier could be damaged.

If I get loud volume out of the second Nano that will help me problem solve.
I plan to compare/do…
-put new Nano in LokProgrammer and test w Shay file.    Loud with tester speaker?  I’m assuming this will be loud/normal (what are chances of getting 2bad Nanos?)
-I’ll then install the Challenger file on the new Nano.  If soft, it may indicate poor file.  If loud, then it is not the file and may be the speaker.
-if loud, then I’ll rip off shrink wrap and install the new Nano onto the board mounted in the loco.
-if loud, the indicates first Nano does have an amplifier problem.   If soft, then it may be the speaker (16 ohm?).  I doubt it’s the speaker since I already unsoldered stock speaker and tried two other speakers.  They were soft too.

[peteski]

Not sure if Athearn speaker is 8 ohm, but you you tried other speakers that are either 4 or 8 ohm (in appropriate enclosures) and they still didn't sound good, then it might be the decoder. But the speaker enclosure is extremely important for good sound.  Speaker alone in open air will give very poor results.

And you should not have to adjust the master volume to maximum level to get enough volume - if you have to do that then there is something wrong going on.

[u18b]

After a lot of testing, the second Nano worked.
My Challenger sounds great.

So crazy as it sounds, the first must have a bad amplifier.  Everything else works fine.

[peteski]

After a lot of testing, the second Nano worked.
My Challenger sounds great.

So crazy as it sounds, the first must have a bad amplifier.  Everything else works fine.

I'm glad the problem is resolved.  You might want to try one more thing to try fixing the decoder.  Reinstall its firmware, and then reload the sound project.  Sometimes the firmware can get corrupted resulting in odd behavior.

I'm curious if you got any answers on the "official" ESU forum.  It doesn't seem to have much participation (I don't use it).  Instead, I am a member of https://groups.io/g/Loksound .While it is an email list, I use its Web interface where it can be accessed just like any other online forum.  That group is much more active than the official group.  Some other TRW members are also on that LokSound group.

[tehachapifan]

One thing I've noticed about the ESU forum is that it's never really clear if the folks responding to postings are actual ESU employees or just end users. I remember one situation where someone came away from the ESU forum with the impression that LokSound 5 decoders and Lokpilot decoders were not compatible with each other due to the LokPilot not having "drive-hold", because he was completely convinced that an ESU employee told him so on that forum. I could not convince him otherwise, explaining that V4.0 and newer LokPilots absolutely do have drive-hold capability. He wouldn't have any of it, and I guarantee it was just some average Joe spouting nonsense there.