"HOW TO" SD80MAC Lighting Improvements for Athearn Genesis with Tsunami 2

Here is a simple thing you can do to improve the brightness of the lights on the Athearn Genesis SD80MAC that comes with factory installed Tsunami 2 decoders.
For a full in-depth review of this locomotive view here.. • Athearn Genesis 2.0 EM...
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[@albertofranchi6408]

SUPER BEAUTIFUL MODEL,ONLY THE YELLOW DEFROSTERS ON THE FRONT WINDOWS ARE MISSING,AND THE CHAIN THAT CONNECTS THE LEVER OF THE MANUAL RELEASE TO THE FRONT HOOK

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Nice. Much improved. Thanks, Deryk.

[@DGModelworks]

Thanks Ron 👍

[@brian102256]

Every time I watch one of your videos I realize how much I don't know about DCC... Thanks for sharing the knowledge! - Brian

[@DGModelworks]

I don't know that much either, don't worry.

[@brian102256]

@@DGModelworks LOL!!

[@Hornhausen]

Amazing.

[@DGModelworks]

Thanks!

[@armandito7383]

Amazing video, and you know how turnoff the ground lights Sd90mac-h 2.0? Thanks for your help

[@DGModelworks]

I don't own one, so I'm not sure. But I believe the lighting CV's would be the same. Just set the CV that controls the ground lights to zero.

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

wow, thats some good stuff, That would have drove me nuts trying to figure out how to get those lights brighter

[@williamfpareso7020]

Hello, Thanks for the info. The one question I have is: What is the CV for increasing the brightness of the red marker lights on the front and rear of the locomotive? Regards, W.F. Pareso

[@DGModelworks]

They are control by the Master Brightness only. CV64

[@dwrb321]

Is there CV change for moving the class lights to their own Fkey?

[@DGModelworks]

You will have to contact Soundtraxx on that. That's beyond my current knowledge of these decoders.

[@mgr_video_productions]

Great video!

[@DGModelworks]

Thanks!

[@ck5644]

Those adjustments made quite a difference. If you want, you can also set it so the ground lights come on with a function instead of being on all the time. I set them to come on with F6 on an SD60E. Assuming they are on FX3, set Index CV 32 =1 and then set CV 1.259 =6 and CV 1.387 = 0.

[@DGModelworks]

Thanks! The number boards are F6 on this, but all of that can be changed.

[@stevewood5993]

@@DGModelworks Will be even easier to change if you are able to use JMRI Decoder Pro

[@DGModelworks]

Yep

[@railscanner]

Using the program track gives you cv settings read backs. Doing this on the main will not read back unless you just changed a cv.

[@DGModelworks]

you are absolutely correct.

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Got to love modern ddc. You can customize just about anything

[@DGModelworks]

Its awesome!

[@spacecalander]

NCE programs CVs perfectly on the main as well.

[@DGModelworks]

Yes, but program track allows readback.

[@spacecalander]

@@DGModelworks Noticed that, i should use that i always do CVs on main and have wondered what they were prior to changing. Thanks again!

[@spacecalander]

@@DGModelworks Will program track allow read back with Loksound?

[@DGModelworks]

Yep!

[@spacecalander]

@@DGModelworks Thanks for the useful info.

[@trapdriver7006]

I've just got my SD80MAC I will change the CVS to improve the lights. Excellent informative video 👍😊😊😊🇬🇧🚂

[@DGModelworks]

Great 👍

[@conrailmow]

Thats alot better now i will buy one..

[@NCPAOutdoors]

Anybody know if there's a way to flip the marker light settings so the short hood markers can be illuminated when traveling forward as opposed to the factory setting of protecting the rear-end of the consist based on direction of travel?

[@DGModelworks]

I'm sure it can be done easily in JMRI. I'm not sure which CV changes you need to make off hand.

[@bertcresta6685]

👏👏👏

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Deryk , a great tip but I also think we have to remember that during the day we can't see most lights anyway? I personally think the number boards are too bright at 255, but at least they can be improved over the original setting. I'm loving my Genesis Gevo , and waiting for the second one to arrive. I hope they bring them out in Genesis 2?? I'll be ling up for sure! Thanks for teaching ME something about the Tsunami...for a change..LOL. Cheers Gregg.

[@DGModelworks]

I can agree with you, the lights are technically too bright for daytime operation, but hopefully viewers realized they can change the values anywhere from 0-255 to suit their personal taste. I can honestly say, the lighting in the Gevo's were much better than these.

[@kyleftw1679]

Will you do a review on it?

[@DGModelworks]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYTPmmScf8qlqdE

[@kyleftw1679]

@@DGModelworks Ah thanks, I don't know how I did not see that on your channel lol

[@FishplateFilms]

@@DGModelworksThanks Deryk :-) I am looking at how to install NB lights in the Gevo's??? Gregg .

[@lionellance]

Wow... freakin awesome.. you made it so easy.. thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.. Lance

[@truckerman8301]

Always appreciate the information provided in your videos. Great work!

[@DGModelworks]

I appreciate that!

[@johnmiller9693]

On your Conrail SD80Mac, does the red class lights work? Mine doesn't and was wondering if there is a CV that needs changed to light them up? They do flash with all the other lights after you do a reset.

[@DGModelworks]

Yes mine work. I believe they are on function 24. Check the manual to be sure though. and they come on in the opposite direction of travel.

[@johnmiller9693]

@@DGModelworks , thanks for the info. I'm running an ESU ECoS Command Station for my DCC and it's only showing 12 functions for this locomotive. Maybe the ESU doesn't want to play well with the Tsunami 2.0? I may have have to switch over to the ESU Loksound to get those other functions?

[@DGModelworks]

I have no experience ESU ECoS system, but I would think it should access all the functions.

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

Very informative performance improvement video and that truck lighting is an impressive feature on the locomotive model, the sd80mac is one of my favorite modern era diesel locomotives.

[@DGModelworks]

Thank you very much! Yes, the 80MAC was an awesome loco. Sad to see it go.

[@AbelG8781]

WOW. Finally some realistic flashing ditch lights!!!! Not even Scaletrains can get it right, very good job!!!

[@DGModelworks]

Thanks my friend!

[@Donnie67654]

I heard from athearn that they did those lighting settings on purpose. Because it was more “prototypical”. But idk some people like them brighter thanks for give us the option if we wanted to change it 😁

[@DGModelworks]

Absolutely. And you can adjust them anywhere between 0-255 for your preference.

[@TomKlimczak]

It is more prototypical. Day glow numberboards and bright ground lights do not exist out in bright sunlight and look ridiculous on models.

[@DGModelworks]

That's why you can set the brightness to your preference. I agree you don't see lit number boards and ground lights in the day. This was a demonstration video.

[@DGModelworks]

To be honest, I don't even care if the number boards light up. That's not a necessity for me.

[@TomKlimczak]

@@DGModelworks I know. Keep up the great work. We love your videos.

[@jamestungatemodelreviews3921]

I got my scaletrais dash 9 today.do you know how to turn down the break squeal

[@DGModelworks]

I do not know off hand.

[@jamestungatemodelreviews3921]

@@DGModelworks im not even sure how i turned it on

[@DGModelworks]

Ok to change the volume of the Brake Squeal. Try this. Change CV 32 to a value of 2. Then change CV 259 to a value from 0-128 depending on how loud you want it.

[@jamestungatemodelreviews3921]

@@DGModelworks thank you sir ill try that

[@DGModelworks]

Let me know if that works.

[@herbertw.jr.carrier6122]

Awesome job, DG!

[@DGModelworks]

Thanks again!

[@biggiefitz6275]

What a difference! Very cool video!

[@bhv1960]

Good work buddy. Thanks for sharing the info!

[@DGModelworks]

Any time!

[@haroldalexis4200]

Nice demo on your engine. In due time I'll will start making improvements on both my ATHEARN & KATO engines ditch lights. 🙂

[@johnnyrailer]

Wow man 255 is where its at!!!! Lights look awesome!

[@DGModelworks]

Right on!

[@randallellison6421]

Very informative, thanks for sharing this Derek, especially since I just got my Athearn Genesis ES44AC with Tsunami2 the other day!

[@DGModelworks]

Great to hear!

[@randallellison6421]

@@DGModelworks yeah hope this thing runs as good as it looks! It's the BN "Legendary Liveries" scheme!

[@kyleftw1679]

Can you do a review on it?

[@DGModelworks]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYTPmmScf8qlqdE

[@randallellison6421]

@@kyleftw1679 yup, going to try and film it tomorrow if things go well. Unfortunately, the layout is straight DC powered right now so I won't be able to go through the functions at the present time.

[@michaelgraycar444]

I didn’t even realize I needed to do this. Unfortunately I am not as happy with these vs my Kato’s. I especially dislike the tinted windows.

[@rexrockwell1517]

Do NCE decoders have cv for voltage adjustment ? I have been searching for an answer with no luck. Thank you for your time.

[@DGModelworks]

Voltage for what? Motor?

[@DGModelworks]

ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360048099754-Locomotive-Decoder-Configuration-Variable-CV-Lists-NCE-decoders-only

[@engineerhall5887]

DG, can I Tage this video on my end screen ?

[@DGModelworks]

Absolutely buddy 👍

[@tonyansill3093]

I recently got one from the latest run. I use digitrak but this helped me reprogram the lighting which is still just as dim. I however also think the red marker lights are too dim also. Also are you able to reprogram the locomotive address to the road number. I tried to go thru CV1 primary address but it only went to the 255 and wouldn't allow me to set mine to road number 801?

[@Railfan-uf9mw]

Question I just recently bought an upgraded version of the DCS 52 zephyr pack Is the same programming the CVs the same thing on the MARC device on this video? Ps I have a UP SD90MAC Genesis 2.0 version with sounds and DCC

[@DGModelworks]

The CV numbers and values will be the same regardless of what DCC system you are using. Thanks for watching!

[@SD60M9250]

Awesome!!! I was hesitant to get an Athearn 2.0 at first but I'm waiting on the Triclops SD60Ms to come out before I make my first purchase lol. Still the Athearn 80MAC is so far ahead of the old Kato model! Great video and keep them coming

[@anthstrains2548]

I am new to Ho what would you recommend as a starter dcc controller?

[@DGModelworks]

I really like the NCE Powercab

[@AbelG8781]

Agreed. I use the Procab version which is wireless on my 2 rail O layout. NCE is always easy to use!

[@paulkirkmanMYTRAINS]

I changed to DCC a few years ago and also chose NCE as well. There are some good videos out there that compare Digitrax to NCE. I think the best attribute I like best about NCE is it expandable without having to learn a bunch of new stuff. Also there wireless is great too.

[@PennCentral99]

nice job Deryk! Amazing technology, not like the "ole days", hahahaha. Like you said, someone out there could use some information. Although I have installed and programmed decoders, I 'm not familiar with the Tsunami II. I plan on purchasing some in the future and you just showed me some of the new/improved upgrades. Terry

[@DGModelworks]

Thanks Terry! I remember when I was watching you install decoders into Bachmann locos and more. You do a fantastic job in explaining and showing how to do installs.

[@PennCentral99]

@@DGModelworks hey Deryk, thanks for the compliment, I really appreciate it! You do a great job for the model railroading community! Terry

[@loucosmotivaferromodelismo6560]

😃👍

[@frankhellman6879]

Now it's blinding! haha 😄

[@DGModelworks]

hahaha, Crank it up!