I have an F7 AB set with the same number (804A and 804B, both with Tsunami decoders). What's the best way to assign an address to each on my throttle? I plan to run them as a consist.
Thanks, Rick
Rick,
Since you cannot use alpha characters for a DCC Address, and you are plan to run them as a consist - This is sort of easy. Assign the the same address. This will make running them automatic. I have an ABA set of F7's, all with the same address. the trailing unit(115C) has the 'direction' bit reversed in CV29 so that it runs with the other two, even though it is facing the opposite direction.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
The trouble with having them both the same address is that when you blow the horn, the horn will blow on both the A and B units. A simple work-around would be to lower the horn and bell volume on the B unit to 0 so it can't be heard.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
What I do in a situation like this is to assign the number 8041 to 804A and the number 8042 to 804B.
Rich
Alton Junction
jrbernierRich, That is a problem. But since the OP intended to run them as a 'consist' - The suggestion will work fine for him. If I ever decide to break up my 115ABC set, I will renumber the booster and current trailing unit to another valid engine number. Sometimes, some advance planning needs to done!
Rich,
Assigning other 'near' numbers just makes thing more confusing(at least to me). One of our club members bought 'x' amount of decoders and swapped them around - he always had problems remembering what the actual address was and we had to reset his decoders. Keeping the address the same as the engine number is less confusing. But the owner can do what he wants - it's his railroad(unless he is running on the club and keeps messing with other engines due to his 'virtual' numbering system). In your case, one has to remember that an odd number like 8041 is really a cab unit(804A) and an even unit is a booster(804B).
My other F units that I painted/numbered have different numbers(like 87A, 112B, etc) - using the actual numeric number always works for the operators.
Thanks, Jim, I see now what you meant.
I do what Rich does. If I have GN 356A, it becomes 3561. That only becomes a problem if I have another 3561. Yes, it's a bit clunky/irritating; and I blame the NMRA (mostly joking, not completely) for not anticipating this problem. I've got a four unit set of GN F's, all with different numbers and varied letters. I see no way out of doing what I do. Oh, I suppose I could call the all 356, or something. But they're not. Plus, I might want to change the consist. I find it much simpler to go my route.
I really have no problem with mixing locos up. If I look at 379B, I KNOW it's 3792. If I were given that number, yeah, it could take a minute. Again, talk to the NMRA guys who put this thing together.
Ed
7j43k I do what Rich does. If I have GN 356A, it becomes 3561. That only becomes a problem if I have another 3561.
I do what Rich does. If I have GN 356A, it becomes 3561. That only becomes a problem if I have another 3561.
I run my A-B or A-A sets of F-units with drawbars between them, so just give them both the same ID no. I guess if you sometimes will run them separately (like the A unit with a GP and the B with another F A unit) you might want to give the A and B units a separate identity.
Drawbarred locos, at least for me, could be a special case. I would assume that with, say, two decoders you'd want them programmed exactly the same. I sure don't know, but I assume you can program two (matching) decoders at once. Though the point of having two horns sound when only one should is interesting. My first thought was just disconnect the wire from the horn on the one you want silent. I'm proud to say that I didn't think that for very long--just a natural reaction for a guy.
Right now, the only drawbarred locos I've got is a switcher cow-calf. And there's no sound. So, no problem
You could set the horn volume CV on the B unit to minimum value (0?). No idea if this will shut off the horn, look at the CV table for your decoder brand.
I can't see the problem here.
Address 804A as 804 & 804B as 8041 then consist them.
When operating drive the consist with the lead loco number then only the required function/s in lead loco will operate EG only the horn in lead loco will blow etc,.
Simples.
Cheers
Ian
I program each engine / decoder separately, so they're speedmatched as perfectly as possible, then put them together with a drawbar. If one of them needs reprogramming, I separate them until they're both set up properly again.
At this point, I don't have any where both engines are sound equipped. If I did, I would just mute the bell and horn on one engine.