As the title suggests, I am a total newbie when it comes to DCC install. I finally figured out how to wire my Proto FA2 with a Digitrax decoder. So far I have just wired the 4 essentials (Motor +/- and Left/Right Pickups). So far it works, technically.
Basically the engine is getting power, but it won't actually move until around speed step 15. So, I'm looking for ideas as to the problem. I'm no expert at soldering, so is it a bad soldering connection possibly? Or, since this is a totally brand new engine, does it need to be broken in? Or is there so other reason why this would happen?
I don't have a shop in my area that can help with/install decoders, so that is why I am stuck doing this myself. I appreciate any ideas.
I wish this would have been as easy as putting DCC in Spec. Consolidation (just plug it in to the board)!
Are the red and black decoder wires soldered directly to the wires to the wheel pickups? Are the orange and gray decoder wires soldered directly to the wires to the motor? There are no circuit boards in between? Sometimes a modeler will connect the decoders pickup wires to the motor tabs on a light board then connect the decoders motor wires to the motor, not knowing that in some cases the track power goes through resistors on the light board before it gets to the motor tabs. If it's a direct connection in all respects then try resetting the decoder. If it's a Digitrax decoder you can reset by setting CV 8 to 8. This will return the decoder to it's factory defaults. On the other hand, some motors are just slower than others.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
NYC,
If your locomotive is actually moving (albeit at speed step 015) then it's wired correctly. What you'll need to do is to adjust the start voltage (CV3 CV2) so that the locomotive starts moving at speed step 001.
What DCC system are you using to operate with? BTW, I like your handle.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Speed step 15 is awfully high to get the engine moving. I don't think I've ever had to go above 4.
It may be that this one just needs some break-in, or maybe a bit of lubrication. It could be a poor solder joint, which would add resistance. Improper wiring through a light board, as was suggested above, is another possible culprit.
CV2 (not CV3) is generally used for Vstart. Increasing this should help. The default is zero.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
If you have the decoder properly wired, try setting CV 2 to a value of 16.
If you haven't already done so, download a copy of the Digitrax Mobile Decoder User Manual from their web site; then read page 31 on setting the value of CV 2.
Hi Newbie:
Try this site for DCC intructions. It's the best one I've found. Also the decoders I buy from Tony's Trains http://www.dcctrains.com/index.html have pretty good instructions with them or just call them for help. Their pricing is better too.
http://www.tcsdcc.com/installation_pictures_and_inform_index.htm
Hope this helps
I really appreciate all of your help.
No, it's not wired through any board. I removed the original light board and wired direct between the different connections.
Yeah, this is one of the "original" Proto 2000s.... I've heard they were a little more basic (i.e. Athearn copy) than the newer Proto engines. But what can I do, I love the Alco diesels, and having an FA2 is much more original than a F-Unit.
I really don't have any idea what the CV numbers should be for this stuff, like Starting Voltage, Accel/Decel, etc. Do those values just kind of depend on each individual engine itself? Or is there a standard typical "range" for those values?
Ok, just a quick update. I set CV2 on 40, and now the locomotive moves at speed step 1, very slowly. So, basically it crawls. But my next question has to be at what speed step should the engine be moving at a decent pace (say, 35-40 scale mph)? Also, it accelerates at a very slow rate, and while that is prototypical, it's a little too slow. Should my acceleration/decel values be higher than 10 or lower?
I understand that, but what speed step should my engine be moving at a typical speed? Should it be something like speed step 20, or should it be going at typical freight speed at something closer to step 50 or 60 out of 128?
Thanks for the help so far.
The anser tot hat one is "it depends". It depends on if the loco is mostly used for switching, in which case you'd want the 'reasonable' speed to be higher up as far as which speed step, so you have finer control at the lower speeds. If it's pulling passenger trains and not doing much switching then it probably would be better to have it reach a 'reasonable' speed at a lower position. That's the beauty of it all, you can set it up how YOU like it. Best I can tell you is play around with the start, top, and mid settings and see how you like the way it performs. You cna reprogram the decoder all you want until you get it just how you want it. Keep in mind what happens when you set these 3 CVs is that you actually expand the range of control you have over the loco. Like before,w hen it needed speed step 20 to start moving, now it starts on speed step 1 - you gained 20 more speed steps worth of control. Same when you restrict the top speed. If at step 127 it runs twice as fast as the prototype so you slow it down with the TOP CV, you 'gain' all those extra speed steps - There's still 127 speed steps, but each one is a smaller change in speed since what now is 1-127 is what perhaps 20-75 was before.
If your system supports programming on the main, and you have a continuous loop to run the loco on, you can do this on the fly while it's running. Set it to maximum throttle and then program values in the top setting and it will slow down immediately. Went too far and it's too slow? Bump the value back up. Or still not slow enough? Drop it a little more.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
OK, so basically one engine might get to a good speed by 30 or so, another maybe not until a higher number or something. That's all I need to know.
Thanks
Yup, it all comes down to how you plan on using it. If a loco is going to spend most of it's time running at faster speeds, what's the point of all teh wasted throttle motion getting it there? Conversely, if a loco is primarily for switching, it's hard to control if the slightest twist of the throttle makes it jump in speed.
Well, my FA2 is running great now. I set it for a more moderate "freight" top speed, and it crawls on the lower steps. It probably needs to run a while and break in now. Thanks everyone!
Now I wonder what is wrong with my Bachmann Consolidation. I have the same decoder in it, but I have the Top Voltage on only 05, and it still runs very fast for a top speed. It also doesn't have near the slow speed response. I've messed with it with a ton of different values.