I recently upgraded 2 analog steam locos with Marklin sound decoders (60975 and 60985) and both periodically play a coal dumping sound while they are running. I'm wondering if there is any way to turn that off because the 60985 decoder tends to get the sound stuck in a loop and just keeps playing it.. only way to get it to stop is to turn off the chuffing sound for a few minutes.
Jeff

Edited by user 06 February 2025 14:24:31(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi
I find your question excellent. I have many Märklin sound locos that randomly emit out-of-context sounds (Grate Shaken -ashes removal) while the loco is in the station or on line duty).
I must say I don't know the answer on factory-installed decoders. I suspect on very recent locos it becomes possible (not sure here).
One thing I know for sure is that editing your own sounds using the mDecoderTool3 and Märklin sound library it is possible to edit (add or remove) random sounds.
Sadly the mDecoderTool3 cannot be used to edit sounds on those factory-installed decoders.
Because I use Rocrail, I have the possibility to command those sounds in the good context (Grate shaken only when the loco is above the ashpitt, smoke being stopped in tunnels or shadow stations, just some examples).

So please find the answer to this question: how to edit random sounds on Märklin factory-installed decoders.
Cheers
Jean

hi
there seem to be some small "errors" in the 60985 and 60975 projects. (and the interval on the Schuettelrost is a bit short). When I opened the projects I noticed it contained incorrect values in sound parameters. (in mDecoderTool). note that it's possible that these incorrect settings might work with older decoder firmware versions and data structures. but it's quite strange. so it's possible that the decoder gets thrown off by these incorrect values. please note that these are just my observations, and I might be wrong about something.
out of curiosity, I loaded the 60985 onto a decoder I currently have connected to my 60970, and when I used the mDecoderTool test tool I experienced the issue you described. after I corrected the incorrect value, it worked fine. (but a little bit too frequent for my taste, I often increase the duration values.)

To turn off the random sounds, you can try changing the min and max random intervals. (cv 61 and 62) try to set them to 0. (The default min random interval is 30 and the max random interval is 50). and at your own risk of course.

you might want to consider getting a 60971 (the mDecoderTool software is free but requires windows). but note that mDecoderTool in combination with 60971, can not change anything on a factory installed decoder, except updating the decoder firmware on the latest "mSD3" locomotives delivered from Märklin.
but you can often install a more accurate and better project etc in the mSD3 decoders.
a CS3 connected to a PC, can also be used to program decoders using mDecoderTool (without a 60971), but it's very slow and a bit sensitive to interruption. (takes approx 50 minutes).

This I how I understand things, but I might have overlooked something or got something wrong etc as the Marklin documentation is very lacking.
the 60975 project from Marklin opened in mDecoderTool: note the 1st value of Zufallssound 1 is 15, this is wrong. this should be 1 for ON, or 0 for off.

and with that value configure sounds look like this: (Zufallssound 2 is correct and sound 6 is active as a random sound.)



The 1st value of Zufallssound 1 should be changed to 1.

when that is corrected the configure sounds settings are updated and sound 3 also becomes active as a random sound..


I don't know if these settings have cv values.

The values of Zufallssound correspond to this:
1st number, 0 or 1 is simply ON or OFF.
2nd number is time, the Same value as in configure sounds but +1. if you change it in configure sounds the value in sound parameters will be updated.
3rd number is the sound slot number. note this is defined in the sound configuration file and the sound number seen in mDecoderTool might be different. ref above where Zufallssound 2 refer to 5, but in mDecoderTool and in the configure sound windows this is sound 6. but Zufallssound 1 is the same (3).
4rth number is the stopped running condition. 0 both. 1 standing only 2 running only. if you change it in configure sounds the value in sound parameters will be updated.

Amazing research and info, thank you very much!! Gives me a direction to look in.

Now I gotta get the wife to allow me to get a CS3 so I can hook it up to my computer... lol

Thought about it but the 60985 doesn’t have a removable board so I’d have to find and wire a plug to the board in the loco. A CS3 is in the future anyway.

Unfortunately, the Marklin decoder manual is lacking regarding the chuff settings. But they did have an article in the Insider magazine about chuff synchronising to wheel rotation, but that information should be in the manual (like ESU has), and not hidden away in the Insider magazine.

And e.g. more chuff settings are available in mDecoderTool only, under Sound selection and Running Sounds, and the options available also vary slightly depending on how old/new the project is.
The settings under Running Sounds are not available as CV and are only transferred to the decoder together with the sound files. (settings only programming option does not include those)

However, some "useful" settings under Running Sounds are options to adjust the volume balance of chuffs during normal running vs acceleration and deacceleration. And adjust the volume of steam "hissing" while standing still. (The last setting is only available in newer projects).

Oh good the grammar police are here ... If I knew how to update it I would...

I finally got the programmer and was able to solve my excessive coal loading issue thanks to your advice. Thanks Again!!