ESU Decoder Tips, Tricks, and

other Useful Information

Listed below are answers to some of the most common questions
that have come our way. Hopefully your question will be
answered in this list, if not please give us a call.
Not sure what decoder is installed in your locomotive? Place the
locomotive on the program track (LokSound decoders do not
require a program track booster) and read back CV 8 (not 08). If
your system gives you back a value of 151 your locomotive has
an ESU decoder. If your system gives you back an error that it
cannot read the decoder or you get a value of 141 your
locomotive has a SoundTraxx decoder. SoundTraxx decoders
require a program track booster for most DCC systems. If you
have a SoundTraxx decoder, please look at our SoundTraxx
Decoder Tips and Tricks page.
When selecting any locomotive for the first time out of the box,
the address is 3 with no leading zeros. Do not type 03.
Decoder reset is CV 8 to 8 (again no leading zeros) Do not
type 08. This can be done on the program track or the main
track. Always use Direct mode programming if you have a
choice. If done on the main track, interrupt track power for 5
seconds and restore. The decoder address should now be 3. If
the reset does not work on the main track try it on the
program track.
Having trouble programming CVs 255 to 511? Please Click Here

Looking for the full list of HO & N scale Cab Forward Sound Volume CVs?
Please Click Here

Mapping Run 8 and Coast in the N scale SD40-2

NOTE: Starting with item #49355 as of December 2015, the rotary beacon is
functional on all SD40-2 models that come with the rotary beacon part on the roof. The
rotary beacon is activated with Function 6 on your DCC system.

CV Number
Locomotive(s) Description
= CV Value
Resets the locomotive to factory defaults. Remove
the locomotive from track power after the reset,
All Locos
CV 8 = 8 wait 5 seconds, then restore track power to the
Decoder Reset
locomotive. Note the locomotive address will be
3.
CV 1 stores all addresses from 1 to 127 with no
leading zeros! These are considered "short" or "2-
digit" addresses. CV 17 and CV 18 store all
addresses from 128 to 9999 (Digitrax systems
limited to 9983). These are considered "Long",
CV 1 = Short "Extended", or "4-digit" addresses. CV 29 bit 5
Address (value of 32) has to be turned on in order to enable
All Locos
(Default = 3) an address from 128-9999.
DCC Addressing
CV 17, CV NCE systems can control addresses 1-127 as
Info
18, CV 29 = "Long" addresses, however you must type the
Long Address leading "0" before typing the address. You'll get
an asterisk symbol in front of the address to
signify that you are controling a "Long" address
between 1-127.
See our Extended Address Table for more
information.
Reduces most of the motor hum. This setting will
All Locos disable the movement delay while the
Reduce Motor locomotive is "starting up". Some motor hum
Hum CV 124 = 0 may still be present due to the Back EMF. The
Disable Start-Up only way to stop the motor hum completely is to
Delay turn the Back EMF off which we do not
recommend.
Reduces most of the motor hum. This setting will
All Locos
enable the movement delay while the locmotive
Reduce Motor
is "starting up". Some motor hum may still be
Hum CV 124 = 4
present due to the Back EMF. The only way to
Enable Start-Up
stop the motor hum completely is to turn the Back
Delay (Default)
EMF off which we do not recommend.
All Locos CV 3 - CV 3 sets the amount of Acceleration delay as the
Momentum Acceleration locomotive is throttled up. CV 4 sets the amount
Settings Rate = Varies
 CV 4 - of Deceleration delay as the locomotive is
Deceleration throttled down. The range for both is 0-255.
Rate = Varies
InterMountain Defaults:
Cab Forward: CV 3 = 40 / CV 4 = 30
All F units: CV 3 = 40 / CV 4 = 56
ES44AC / ES44DC: CV 3 = 60 / CV 4 = 40
ET44AC: CV 3 = 80 / CV 4 = 80
GP10: CV 3 = 80 / CV 4 = 80
SD40-2: CV 3 = 40 / CV 4 = 56
U18B: CV 3 = 40 / CV 4 = 56
The value of CV 2 controls the speed at speed step
1 of 28. The value of CV 6 controls the speed at
CV 2 (VStart)
speed step 14 of 28. The value of CV 5 controls
= 2 (Default)
the speed at speed step 28 of 28. The decoder
All Sound Locos CV 6 (VMid)
interpolates the values of steps 2-13 and 15-27
Basic Speed = 88 (Default)
based on the value of CV 6.
Control CV 5
The ESU LokSound Select manual incorectly
(VMax)= 255
identifies the range for CV 6 and CV 5 as 0-64
(Default)
with a default value of 64. The actual range is 1-
255 for all three CVs.
CV 2 (VStart) The value of CV 2 controls the speed at speed step
Non-Sound
= 2 (Default) 1 of 28. The value of CV 6 controls the speed at
Locos with
CV 6 (VMid) speed step 14 of 28. The value of CV 5 controls
LokPilot
= 22 (Default) the speed at speed step 28 of 28. The decoder
Standard V1.0
CV 5 interpolates the values of steps 2-13 and 15-27
Basic Speed
(VMax)= 64 based on the value of CV 6.
Control
(Default) The range is 1-64 for all three CVs.
All Locos CV 67-94 = ESU does not use CV 67 (Speed step 1) nor CV
Full Speed Curve Varies 94 (Speed step 28). Speed step 1 is controlled by
CV 2 and speed step 28 is controlled by CV 5.
The speed curve is then controlled by CV 68-93
(speed steps 2-27). Enable the speed curve by
adding a value of 16 to the current value in CV 29.
If you do not know the current value of CV 29
you can read CV 29 using the program track. If
you use an extended (4-digit) decoder address of
128 or higher, activate the speed curve by setting
CV 29 = 62. If you use a short (2-digit) decoder
address of 127 or lower, activate the speed curve
by setting CV 29 = 30.

NOTES:
(1)Set CV 3 (Acceleration Rate) and CV 4
(Deceleration Rate) to 1 in all locomotives before
 starting to set the speed curve.
(2)Be sure to put your DCC system's throttle in 28
speed step mode before attempting to change the
speed curve. You can go back to operating in 128
speed step mode if you prefer once the speed
curve has been set.
These CVs multiply all data points in the speed
table (either CV 67 to 94 or CV 2, 5, 6) by a factor
of n/128 (where n is the value in CV 66 or CV
95). This results in the overall speed curve to be
CV 66 -
adjusted up or down without the need to adjust the
Forward Trim
speed table points again. CV 66 and 95 can hold
= 128
All Locos values between 0 and 255. A trim value greater
(Default)
Forward & than 128 will result in a higher speed, a trim value
CV 95 -
Reverse Trim less than 128 will result in a lower speed. A value
Reverse Trim
of 128 maintains the original scaling factor of 1
= 128
and will therefore have no influence in the speed
(Default)
curve. Using different values for the forward and
the reverse trim will result in different speed for
forward and reverse. This can be useful for speed
matching a locomotive in a specific direction.
This is an ESU Automatic Motor Control
Adjustment that checks for binding in the drive.
Set CV 54 to 0. Place loco on the main powered
track (if not there already). Have at least 2 feet of
All Locos
straight track in front of the locomotive and press
Smoother Motor
CV 54 = 0 function 1 (the bell function). The locomotive will
Control -
run at a very high rate of speed and then slow to a
Option 1
stop with it's bell on. Turn the bell off and then
test the locomotive for smoother motor control. If
this doesn't work to your satisfaction you can
repeat the process or try Option 2 below.
All Locos CV 52 = 127
Smoother Motor CV 53 = 160 Set these CVs if your locomotive pulses or jerks
Control - CV 54 = 127 as it runs. (Try Option 1 above first!)
Option 2 CV 55 = 127
All Diesel Locos
Non-Directional Front Headlight - This should
with Sound or
CV 32 = 2 make the forward headlight to remain on in
Non-Sound with
FIRST reverse while turning on the reverse light.
LokPilot V4.0
CV 282 = 3 If you do not want the reverse light on in reverse,
Non-Directional
set CV 282 to 1 instead of 3. CV 282 Default = 2
Headlight
All Diesel Locos CV 34 = 3 Non-Directional Front Headlight - This should
with LokPilot make the forward headlight to remain on in
V1.0 Non-Sound reverse while turning on the reverse light.
Non-Directional If you do not want the reverse light on in reverse,
Headlight set CV 34 to 1 instead of 3. CV 34 Default = 2
CV 57 = 96
Cab Forward
(3.07 Setting for the distance of steam chuffs at speed
Chuff Rate -
seconds) step 1. The range is 0-255.
Setting 1
(Default)
Adjustment for the distance of steam chuffs at
higher speed steps. The range is 0-255.
Cab Forward
CV 58 = 61
Chuff Rate - The chuff rate is affected by changes to the
(Default)
Setting 2 momentum settings and/or changes to the speed
tables. Setting the chuff rate will require trial and
error to get the desired values.
Adjustment for the distance of Random Sounds.
This sets the range of time required for Random
Sounds to play. CV 61 controls the minimum
Min Distance amount of time that must pass before the Random
CV 61 = 10 Sounds can play and CV 62 controls the
seconds maximum amount of time before the Random
Cab Forward (Default) Sounds must play. The default settings indicate
Random Sounds Max Distance that the random sounds will play between 10
CV 62 = 15 seconds and 15 seconds. After the sounds stop, the
seconds timer resets. CV 61 cannot be set higher than CV
(Default) 62 (CV 61 will match CV 62) and CV 62 cannot
be set lower than CV 61 (CV 62 will match CV
61). The range for both of these CVs is 0-255 (0
seconds to 255 seconds).
ES44AC /
CV 32 = 2
ES44DC ONLY Adds auto E-bell sound to activate with the air
FIRST
Add E-bell to Air horn. (As per Prototype).
CV 319 = 1
Horn
Increase or Decrease Auto E-bell volume. Range
ES44AC / CV 32 = 1 is 0 (off) to 128 (max).
ES44DC ONLY FIRST
Auto E-bell CV 323 = 0 The easiest way to turn OFF the Auto E-bell
Volume (Default) activating with the air horn is to set the E-bell
volume to 0 as described above.
Add 64 to current value of CV 48 and interrupt
ES44AC / track power for at least 1 second. Changes E-Bell
CV 48 =
ES44DC ONLY sound to Air Bell sound for early delivered
Current Value
Change E-bell to GEVOs. (Default CV 48 = 21. +64 = 85.) Current
+64
Air Bell CV 48 value can be read back using the program
track.
ES44AC /
ES44DC & CV 32 = 2 Loco remains quiet with track power. F8 must
U18B FIRST now be turned on to turn the prime mover sound
Use F8 to Start- CV 403 = 16 on.
Up Locomotive
ES44AC /
ES44DC &
CV 32 = 2
U18B
FIRST Loco prime mover starts up with track power.
Use Track Power
CV 403 = 32
to Start-Up
Locomotive
ET44AC (Tier
4) CV 32 = 2
Use Track Power FIRST Loco prime mover starts up with track power.
to Start-Up CV 419 = 32
Locomotive
ES44AC /
ES44DC &
CV 32 = 2
SD40-2 Turns ON ditch light alternate flashing with the
FIRST
Ditch Light horn.
CV 316 = 128
Flashing ON
w/Horn
ES44AC /
ES44DC /
ET44AC & CV 32 = 2
Turns OFF ditch light alternate flashing with the
SD40-2 FIRST
horn.
Ditch Light CV 316 = 0
Flashing OFF
w/Horn
ES44AC /
CV 112 = 39
ES44DC & Sets how fast the ditch lights alternate. Has an
(1.95
SD40-2 effective range of 1-255. A value of 20 = 1.00
seconds)
Ditch Light Flash second.
Default
Rate
ES44AC /
ES44DC & CV 132 = 80 Sets how long the ditch lights flash after the horn
SD40-2 (5.2 seconds) button is released. Has an effective range of 1-
Grade Crossing Default 255.
Hold Time
SD40-2 LokPilot CV 32 = 2 Adds alternately flashing ditch lights with F2
Non-Sound FIRST (horn key).
Decoder CV 386 = 1
Add Flashing CV 396 = 128
Ditch Lights to
F2
HO SD40-2 Set CV 278 & CV 286 to the same value between
CV 32 = 0
Ditch Light 1 (dimmest) and 31 (brightest). Default value for
FIRST
Brightness both CVs is 31 (brightest).
HO SD40-2 Set CV 294 between 1 (dimmest) and 31
CV 32 = 0
Number Board (brightest). Default value for CV 294 is 31
FIRST
Brightness (brightest).
Activate F22
and then F1
SD40-2 OR
CV settings change Air Bell sound to E-bell sound
Air Bell to E- Set CV 32 = 2
on F1.
Bell FIRST
CV 302 = 0
CV 303 = 4.
SD40-2 CV 32 = 2 Loco remains quiet with track power. F8 must
Use F8 to Start- FIRST now be turned on to turn the prime mover sound
Up Locomotive CV 419 = 16 on.
SD40-2
CV 32 = 2
Use Track Power
FIRST Loco prime mover starts up with track power.
to Start-Up
CV 419 = 32
Locomotive
All F units CV 32 = 2 Loco remains quiet with track power. F8 must
Use F8 to Start- FIRST now be turned on to turn the prime mover sound
Up Locomotive CV 387 = 16 on.
All F units CV 32 = 2
Use F8 to Start- FIRST Loco prime mover starts up with track power.
Up Locomotive CV 387 = 32
Follow the PowerPack Mini Instructions for
soldering the PowerPack to the decoder. AUX 6
Paducah GP10 must be disabled in order to use the ESU
CV 32 = 0
Sound PowerPack Mini. The CVs in the box to the left
FIRST
Add an ESU disable AUX 6. The GP10 marker lights will be on
CV 315 = 0
#54671 automatically with track power instead of
To disable AUX 6
PowerPack Mini controlled with function 4. NOTE: A PowerPack
cannot be added to the GP10 non-sound
decoder.
ET44AC "Tier CV 32 = 0 Follow the PowerPack Mini Instructions for
4" FIRST soldering the PowerPack to the decoder. AUX 6
Sound & Non- CV 315 = 0 must be disabled in order to use the ESU
Sound To disable AUX 6 PowerPack Mini. The CVs in the box to the left
Add an ESU disable AUX 6 for both the sound and non-sound
#54671 decoders. The ET44AC walkway lights will be on
PowerPack Mini automatically with track power instead of
controlled with function 11.

Programming CVs Numbered Above 255:

Some Digitrax and NCE DCC systems cannot program CVs higher than 255.

Systems that CANNOT program CVs 255-511 include:

-Digitrax DCS51 Zephyr Extra (as a standalone system)
-Digitrax DT400 throttle with Zephyr Xtra or Zephyr
-Digitrax DT400 throttle with Super Chief or Empire Builder
-NCE PowerPro when programming on the program track

Systems that CAN program CVs 255-511 include:

-Digitrax DT402 throttle with Zephyr Xtra or Zephyr
-Digitrax DT402 throttle with Super Chief or Empire Builder
-NCE PowerCab on either the main or program track
-NCE PowerPro when programming on the mainline in Ops Mode

If you have a system that does not allow programming CVs higher than 255, ESU has
implemented an assistance tool. You can use this method on either the program track or
mainline with any DCC system and can program any number of CVs from 255-511 in
sequence. Digitrax users - use "DIR" or "Pd" mode for all CV programming with ESU
decoders.

Set CV96 to the hundreds digit of the CV number that you are programming - The
range is 0-9.
Set CV97 to the units and tens digits of the CV number that you are programming -
The range is 0-99.
Set CV99 to the desired value of the CV that you are programming - The range is 0-
255.

Once you set CV99, the values in CV's 96, 97, and 99 are reset back to 0. You can
immediately program another CV above 255, program any other CV, or if done
programming, exit to the main operating screen.

EXAMPLE:
We want to set CV257 to a value of 6.

Set CV96 to 2 for the "200" range.

Set CV97 to 57 for the tens digit "5" and the units digit "7".
Set CV99 to a value of 6.

Cab Forward Sound Volume CV's

HO Scale LokSound Cab N Scale LokSound Cab
Forward Sound Volume CVs: Forward Sound Volume CVs:
MASTER VOLUME: CV63 - Range: 0-
192 - Default: 192
Indivdual Sound Volume CVs (MUST
SET CV32 TO 1 FIRST!!):
Range is 0 (0%) - 128 (100%) for all
sound volumes listd below:
Chuff #1: CV259 - Default: 110 (85.94%)
Chuff #2: CV267 - Default: 110 (85.94%)
Steam Whistle: CV275 - Default: 128
Bell: CV283 - Default: 99 (77.34%)
Coupler: CV291 - Default: 128
Dynamo: CV299 - Default: 128
Air Pump: CV307 - Default: 120 (93.75%)
NOTE: CV307 only controls the volume
of the Air Pump activated by Function
10.
To change the volume of the Air Pump
that plays automatically, see CV451
below.
Blower: CV315 - Default: 128
Injector: CV323 - Default: 40 (31.25%)
Crossing Communication: CV331 -
Default: 128
Rail Clank: CV339 - Default: 85 (66.41%)
Brake Release: CV347 - Default: 128
Sand Valve: CV355 - Default: 100
(78.13%)
Oil Burner: CV363 - Default: 128
SP Air Horn: CV371 - Default: 80 (62.5%)
Short Whistle: CV379 - Default: 128
Power Reverse: CV387 - Default: 80
(62.5%)
Cylinder Cocks: CV395 - Default: 80
(62.5%)
Hiss and Start-Up: CV443 - Default: 110
(85.94%)
Brake Sound: CV459 - Default: 70
(54.69%)
Random Sounds: CV451 - Default: 128
CV 451 controls the volume of all
Random Sounds INCLUDING the Air
MASTER VOLUME: CV63 - Range: 0-
192 - Default: 192 (100%)
Indivdual Sound Volume CVs (MUST
SET CV32 TO 1 FIRST!!):
Range is 0 (0%) - 128 (100%) for all
sound volumes listd below:
Chuff #1: CV259 - Default: 110 (85.94%)
Chuff #2: CV267 - Default: 110 (85.94%)
Steam Whistle: CV275 - Default: 128
Bell: CV283 - Default: 99 (77.34%)
Coupler: CV291 - Default: 128
Dynamo: CV299 - Default: 128
Air Pump: CV307 - Default: 120 (93.75%)
NOTE: CV307 only controls the volume
of the Air Pump activated by Function
10.
To change the volume of the Air Pump
that plays automatically, see CV451
below.
Blower: CV315 - Default: 128
Injector: CV323 - Default: 40 (31.25%)
Crossing Communication: CV331 -
Default: 128
Rail Clank: CV339 - Default: 85 (66.41%)
Brake Release: CV347 - Default: 128
Sand Valve: CV355 - Default: 100
(78.13%)
Oil Burner: CV363 - Default: 128
SP Air Horn: CV371 - Default: 80 (62.5%)
Short Whistle: CV379 - Default: 128
Power Reverse: CV387 - Default: 80
(62.5%)
Cylinder Cocks: CV395 - Default: 80
(62.5%)
Hiss and Start-Up: CV443 - Default: 110
(85.94%)
Brake Squeal: CV459 - Default: 70
(54.69%)
Random Sounds: CV451 - Default: 128
CV 451 controls the volume of all
Random Sounds INCLUDING the Air
Pump that plays automatically at Pump that plays automatically at
random intervals. random intervals.

Mapping Run 8 and Coast in the N scale

SD40-2

As part of the ESU Full Throttle features included in the N scale SD40-2, Run 8 and
Coast are not mapped to a function key by default. If you would like these features
mapped, the following instructions map Run 8 to Function 13 and Coast to Function
14. Both of these functions are basically open in the decoder.

To do this set the following IN ORDER:

CV32 = 2 FIRST
CV490 = 0
CV496 = 8
CV512 = 16

If you would like Run 8 and Coast mapped to different functions, it is possible
however some sound functions or lighting functions may have to be moved to different
keys. This is very "custom" and is beyond the scope of this instruction. You can use the
N scale SD40-2 function mapping table or give us a call.