WOWSound DCC Mode Automatic Bell

Overview

This page provides details on the DCC Mode Automatic Bell feature available in WOWSound Decoders.

NOTE: This feature was implemented in WOWSteam Version 4.6 on [Date], and in WOWDiesel Version 4.5 on [Date]. Decoders manufactured before these versions and dates will not have this feature.

Operational Characteristics

The DCC Mode Auto Bell feature is designed to simulate real-life operation of the locomotives where the engineer was required to operate the bell when at low speeds. This practice is also used in many modern locomotives, but sometimes not manually controlled by the engineer and instead by computer.

In the WOWSound decoder, this feature is disabled by default, and has other configuration options which are described in detail below. When enabled, this feature looks at the speed and direction of the locomotive, and will automatically turn the bell on and off as necessary. For example, as soon as the locomotive begins moving, the automatic bell will begin ringing. Once the locomotive reaches a set speed, the bell will stop ringing, while the locomotive may continue to accelerate.

Available Configuration Options

The DCC Mode Automatic Bell can be configured in the following ways:

1. Enable/Disable the feature
2. Enable/Disable the feature when the locomotive is set to run in the "reverse" direction
3. Configure the maximum speed at which the auto bell can ring, and above which the bell will stop ringing

Enabling and Disabling Automatic Bell

Items 1 and 2 from the list above are both configured using the Automatic Sounds indexed CV. Set the corresponding bits for the features you want active in each CV.

We provide an option to disable the auto bell in reverse in the case that the locomotive is being used as an A-A latchup in a consist, where the "front" of each locomotive points in opposite directions. In this case, while the rear-ward facing locomotive is traveling "forward" with the consist, only the bell on the lead unit will ring. When changing directions, as long as both decoders are configured the same, the auto bell will then be controlled by the new lead unit in the new "forward" direction.

WOWSteam Automatic Sounds Indexed CV Set CV201 = 4; CV 202 = 12

CV	CV204									CV203
Bit	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7		0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Descr.	NU	NU	NU	Enable DCC Automatic Bell	Enable Auto FWD Quill	Enable Auto REV Quill	Enable Auto STOP Quill	Enable Power Reverser Sound		Enable Random Sound Channel 1	Enable Random Sound Channel 2	Enable Random Sound Channel 3	Enable Random Sound Channel 4	Disable DCC Auto Bell in Reverse	NU	NU	NU
WOWSteam V4.6 Default = 128 Add DCC Auto Bell = 136										WOWSteam V4.6 Default = 15 Disable DCC Auto Bell in Reverse = 31

WOWDiesel Automatic Sounds Indexed CV Set CV201 = 4; CV 202 = 12

CV	CV204									CV203
Bit	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7		0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Descr.	Crew Alert Active	NU	NU	Enable DCC Automatic Bell	Enable Auto FWD Quill	Enable Auto REV Quill	Enable Auto STOP Quill	NU		Enable Random Sound Channel 1	Enable Random Sound Channel 2	Enable Random Sound Channel 3	Enable Random Sound Channel 4	Disable DCC Auto Bell in Reverse	NU	NU	NU
WOWDiesel V4.5 Default = 0 Add DCC Auto Bell = 8										WOWDiesel V4.5 Default = 3 Add DCC Auto Bell = 19

Automatic Bell Cutout Speed

The DCC Mode Automatic Bell can be reconfigured to stop playing at a set speed. The indexed CV which controls the cutout speed is Index 4:45. This CV has a valid range of values from 1 to 126. All calculations for and references to speed are based on 126 speed steps.

The value programmed into the CV is the highest speed at which the auto bell is allowed to play. Above that value, the bell will turn off. With a value of 1, the auto bell will stop playing as soon as the loco reaches speed step 2. With a value of 126, the auto bell will always play as long as the locomotive is in motion.