Rapido GE U25B - High Hood Nose - Mandarin Orange and White

I have the same issue. I eventually did get it to come on.
On throttle mode JMRI turn on f 17 for the beacon, let it stay on, it will turn on.
I think there is a delay setting that is causing this.
I have CVP DCC system. It has functions 1 - 12 , cannot use f 17 until a function mapping is done.

 

I have been working on get the F keys remapped all day. It's very slow to read setting into Decoder Pro and over complicated. I have changed the Rotating Beacon to a Prime Stratolite and I do not like ESU light effect for this. I will have to play around with this. So far I think the model it's self is great. I love the detail level and all the light features I am just not impressed with the included decoder. Also I am really not impressed with the sound quality, I think I can get the same sound quality from a Digitrax series 7 and one of the SPJs from AnPRR. I find it very similar to the Digitrax sound decoders. I think I may have been spoiled by TSU2 and Paragon decoders. I am not sure if I will buy another loco with a LokSound decoder in it. This one is take way to much time to reconfigure. And I keep finding more settings I have to change and figure out not only where they are but how to change them.

 

Thank you. I think have started down that path. I was trying to see if I could get the factory decoder to work good enough for me. But I am coming to the conclusion that it will not be possible.

After playing around with Loksound 5 for a few days, here are my observations. It has a lot of settings but not very many features. The diesel sound is fine, but the bell and horn do not sound like they are from the same sound set. The recording quality is not that good. This decoder is missing most of the features you get with a TSU2 or even an Econami. Mapping is flexible but over complicated. I think it lines up more with the Digitrax SDXH187MT decoders in features and settings. I think they are over priced. I also think they are more designed for European model railroading. And why waste memory on 4 movie sound bits?
My question is why are so many manufacturers using ESU? Are they out-bidding SoundTraxx and TCS?

But now I know to order the DCC ready versions unless they come with a SoundTraxx decoder.

Now I am very happy with the model itself. There is so much detail on it. I think it is time to retire my blue box locos. It's is very nice to have affordable true Frisco models.

 

I recently bought my first loco with factory ESU Loksound. I am definitely not impressed.

 

For giggles I loaded the U25B SPJ off of AnPRR@groups.io into a SDXH167D. It sounded a lot better than the sound clips loaded onto the factory included LokSound. And I played around with the FX3 lighting effects for a few minutes and found a light effect for the Prime Stratolite that I think looks better. So the SDXH187MT runs around $52. These results are as I expected. I have done a lot of Series 7 testing. Next payday I think I will be replacing the LokSound with a TSU2. There Prime Stratolite effect and horn sample just bugs me too much. And what makes it worst is I have it running right next to a Athearn Genesis GP7 with factory TSU2.

 

Figures....

 

Thank you klrwhizkid for all your work on the wire documentation.

I have switched out the LokSound for a TSU-2. It was very quick and easy to move the wires around but I did have to break out my higher magnification visor to move the magnet wire. I also moved X11 to X4 on rear end of the light board so both front and rear class lights are on FX6 (personal choose.)

A couple of internal things I notice about this model. The light board (PCB) is a hot mess. looks like it skipped the final cleaning step at the factory and the solder job is messy. It does not look very professional. Next the number board lenses are held in by electrical tape. I will have to figure a future fix of this. Maybe canopy glue and black paint.

It's easy to get the shell off the frame. I had one weight come loose and two detail parts fell off. The two detail parts look like they forgot to put glue on them.

I am now very happy with this loco.