To speed match two engines, I find you normally need to use five CV's to get them matched exactly right: CV2 - start speed, CV6 - midrange speed, CV5 - maximum speed; and CV3 - acceleration momentum and CV4 - deceleration momentum.
The decoders come from the factory with these all set to zero, which means in effect they're not being used. When you turn the power all the way up, the engine will go as fast as it can go. You can only use the CV's to slow it down.
In your case, I would first try to use the top and midrange speed CV's to slow the faster one down so that it matches the slower of the two engines. There's no magic formula, it's pretty much trial-and-error. I usually just keep the midrange CV amt at half of the top range amt, producing a straightline "curve"....so try putting say 200 in the top speed, 100 in the midrange. If it's still too fast, try 180 and 90. Keep trying until they run well together.
Cisco Kid wrote: jamnest wrote: I don't know if your Prodigy System has a computer interface, but Decoder Pro makes speed matching locomotives easy. In Decoder Pro you bring up the speed tables and adjust them on the computer screen and Decoder Pro adjusts the necessary CVs. ..... I have a Digitrax System and the speed matching concepts using Decoder Pro are the same as with the Easy DCC.This sound intriguing. Does the Digitrax Zephyr have the capability to be connected to a computer interface so that Decoder Pro can be used? I don't think so. I guess I would have to upgrade to another Digitrax product??
jamnest wrote: I don't know if your Prodigy System has a computer interface, but Decoder Pro makes speed matching locomotives easy. In Decoder Pro you bring up the speed tables and adjust them on the computer screen and Decoder Pro adjusts the necessary CVs. ..... I have a Digitrax System and the speed matching concepts using Decoder Pro are the same as with the Easy DCC.
I don't know if your Prodigy System has a computer interface, but Decoder Pro makes speed matching locomotives easy. In Decoder Pro you bring up the speed tables and adjust them on the computer screen and Decoder Pro adjusts the necessary CVs.
..... I have a Digitrax System and the speed matching concepts using Decoder Pro are the same as with the Easy DCC.
This sound intriguing. Does the Digitrax Zephyr have the capability to be connected to a computer interface so that Decoder Pro can be used? I don't think so. I guess I would have to upgrade to another Digitrax product??
You would be incorrect, though you do need to buy another bit of hardware to complete the interface. See here:
http://jmri.sourceforge.net/help/en/html/hardware/loconet/Digitrax.shtml
Hi Jellybean
If you are trying to get them to start running at speed step one together you will have to adjust the dither CV56 and CV57 on the slow one first. Then adjust the CV5 top speed and CV6 mid speed till they run close. Remember they dont have to be perfect just close.
Hope this helps
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
If you don't have a computer interfce, see if you can find a MRR friend who has one and Decoder Pro. You don't have to make the adjustments on a Prodgy system since the CVs are changed on the decoder. Joe Fugate has a DVD video (Electronics #3) which demonstrates how to do this with an Easy DCC system. I have a Digitrax System and the speed matching concepts using Decoder Pro are the same as with the Easy DCC.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
davidmbedard wrote: Play with CV5, not CV2.David B
Play with CV5, not CV2.
David B
Could you why this CV a little more? I am going to be in the same situation very soon with several sets of locos that I will want to speed match. Why is max voltage the one to play with?......or is it just a case of that being the best voltage control of all the CVs
Thanks.
I have 2 identical engines (Kato Mac's) about a year apart in ages. They both have the same decoder TCS DP5X. My problem is that the older one (#1) runs faster than the newer one (#2). I have them running side by side on 2 different tracks. CV2 is set at zero for both but #1 slowly moves ahead of #2. #2 will equal #1's speed (set at 1) if I set the speed at between 2 1/2 and 3. I've played with some of the CV's but I can't slow #1 down or speed up #2. I have a Prodigy wireless, in case that is important in helping me get these two to run as one. *Important... I am not smarter than a 5th grader!!!
I guess you can call me a beginner in DCC so if you can help please make it easy for me to understand. Thank you!!
Jellybean