ProtoThrottle video series, part II: Configuring a Tsunami2 decoder

[@BurlingtonNorthernModeler]

I just got mine in the mail. Your videos for setting up the Protothrottle with digitrax and all these brand decoders is extremely helpful Thank you

[@warpo007]

it's on the wish list. This will be a great reference video for anyone who has the balls to get one.

[@edcvgp9]

Great video my Proto is on its way to me, very much help.

[@TMandN]

Enjoying your series sir!

[@sparky107107]

well it looks like a fun throttle to have.

[@danielhackett8294]

Very informative video, thanks for your efforts. Can you comment on the mounting of the ProtoThrottle in what looks like a standard throttle pocket? How have you attached it? Again, thanks so much.

[@ck7813]

Daniel Hackett Hi, Daniel. You are correct, it is “mounted” to a standard throttle pocket. I cut a piece of styrene to fit in the strap attached to the ProtoThrottle. It is crude but I needed a quick fix because I was running two camcorders at once and couldn’t hold the throttle. The ProtoThrottle was not very sturdy with the mount but it worked. I have some ideas for a more sturdy mount, I will make a video when I get around to engineering it!

[@danielhackett8294]

Thanks for your reply. Looking forward to your solution (unless I figure out one first :))

[@sor_cnhagersvillesubdivisi7803]

I jUST purchased a proto throttle, and this has been extremely helpful! thank you so much for sharing this information! I do have one question though; how do you consists locos using the proto throttle? I cannot seem to find any info. Do you create the consist in your dcc system first, then load up the consist address in the throttle, and 'create a new loco' like you normally would?

[@ck7813]

Congratulations on your ProtoThrottle purchase! You will love it. To answer your consist question, no you cannot program a consist using your ProtoThrottle. Your only option is to setup a simple consist with your DCC system/throttle or an advanced consist by changing CVs or using JMRI/Lokprogrammer. I made a video on both simple and advanced consisting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6exgKR4d8yjmLM. Once you set your consist address, you can set that on the ProtoThrottle. I exclusively use advanced consisting for all of my locomotives, you get a more "prototypical" response. If you use a simple consist with your hand throttle, you must remember to release the address from the throttle or when you go to program the address into your ProtoThrottle your DCC system will be confused because one address is programmed on two throttle. Good luck!

[@sor_cnhagersvillesubdivisi7803]

@ perfect! Thank you! This helped a lot. I’ve got a few consists rows big along now! I can’t believe how user friendly it is. Hands down one of the best products produced for this hobby. I’m a big fan of it. Thanks for the help again! Very much appreciated!

[@struck2soon]

Not sure what was happening when you were moving that loco...the momentum seemed very low despite you having put in a max figure, also I could hear the brake squeal when you were moving? Is it possible that the brake function was somehow being activated?

[@OvermarsGaming]

it is possible to do this configuration using basic system like digitrax zephyr express?

[@ck7813]

Yes, absolutely! You would set it up the exact same way (connect the ProtoThrottle receiver via the Digitrax LNWI interface). I am currently building a demo layout with a Zephyr Express and I will be connecting my ProtoThrottle to it!

[@OvermarsGaming]

@@ck7813 thanks for your reply, it would be very interesting for me if you also make that video!

[@MarkNieting]

March 2021. I'm new to this.... question: how did you program the auxiliary button to do anything???

[@ck7813]

Thanks, Mark. You need to go into the "CONFG FUCT" (configuration function) menu. Use the button to the top left of the LCD screen on the throttle to toggle through the functions until you see "AUX" on the LCD screen (AUX is about the 5th function listed). Use the buttons to the right of the LCD screen to toggle to the function you want assigned. Just toggle until the correct function for what you want assigned appears (e.g., F9, F10 or whatever). Press the button to the lower left of the LCD screen to save and exit. If you make changes, it will be only for the locomotive you have active on your throttle, be sure to save that setting, otherwise, if you change locomotives and come back, the change will be lost. Please refer to page 12 of the ProtoThrottle manual for more information: www.iascaled.com/docs/mrbw-cst/mrbw-cst-manual.pdf

[@Ferrocarril_Chicago]

That thing is really cool. Looks a bit tedious to set up though, but I'm sure worth it. How much do they MSRP for?

[@ck7813]

Metra MP36 407 “nothing worthwhile is easy.” I have said before, the ProtoThrottle is definitely not for beginners, you must have confidence in you ability to program CVs and think through scenarios. You get a tremendous amount of satisfaction knowing you can make this work. As far as the price, it is $482 plus you must purchase a receiver to communicate with your DCC system for $99. Here is more info: www.iascaled.com/store/MRBW-CST

[@Ferrocarril_Chicago]

Definitely not for me. I still have a long way to go in learning CV programming. Plus, I can't afford anything that expensive.

[@jeffstrains4014]

this would be really cool if you had a camera on the locomotive using it to give you a simulator feel.

[@ck7813]

Sorry, I do not have a camera to mount on my locomotives. I think they are neat, but they are not high on my priority spending list right now :)

[@bfurailroad1104]

Gitcha' a cheap ol sq11 from china for about 5 bux, cheap with good video.

[@bfurailroad1104]

For years I've been runnin' my simple 3 mainline layout with 2 EZ Command controllers and it's suited me just fine coz it's easy and simple to use. Then I was at a train show a couple weeks ago and the Spring Creek Model Trains dealer was there demonstrating this new throttle, I thought Man, I gotta have one of these! I want it badly but it's gonna be quite the shock goin' from simple n' easy to very complicated. Mmmmm...decisions decisions, 500 bux for a total conversion?

[@ck7813]

Hi BFU. Here are some things to consider. First, I am not sure the ProtoThrottle is compatible with the EZ controller. Go to iascaled.com and contact Michael or Scott and see if it compatible. To get the ProtoThrottle to work, it has to "talk" to your DCC system via a receiver. Give those guys a shout before you dive in because I do not know if the ProtoThrottle can talk to the EZ controller. Second, to take full advantage of the ProtoThrottle, you have to be able to modify the CVs on your locomotives. Running locomotives with factory setting CVs will not give you a great experience with the ProtoThrottle. Again, I do not know much about the EZ command system to know if you can modify CVs with it. Feel free to email me at ck7813 @ yahoo.com with any questions.

[@Chinquapinmayor]

Question in the Tsunami 2 decoder it has 3 different levels of dynamic brakes. Could you map the functions of different levels to the knob for the rear headlights?

[@ck7813]

I honestly cannot answer your question. My GP40-2 does not have dynamic brakes (I know the function can be activated but I haven’t done that). I would suggest posting your question on the ProtoThrottle I/O forum (the link is in the video description). Maybe one of the other guys can help you.

[@Chinquapinmayor]

ck7813 thanks man. And hey the videos will be very helpful. Thanks!

[@boylesterminalshops6841]

Any reason the brakes were squealing every time it moved?

[@ck7813]

Hi John - It is something with how the decoder is programmed, it has nothing to do with the ProtoThrottle. My other Tsunami2 decoder behave the same way. I am sure that you can disable it, I am so used to it I really do not even hear it.