Lets try this again! I have 2 HO DCC F unit A loco's I would like to run in an " AA" consist. How do I run one forward and one in reverse?
Both engines are Proto 1K with DS13R decoders installed. My operating system is a Digitrax Super Chief 8 amp. I would like to have this as a permanent consist so it can operate under one address.
Thanks for the help
If you want both decoders to be at the same address, one way is to add one (1) to whatever value is set into CV29 of the engine your want to run in reverse. This in fact reverse the normal direction of travel of the engine.
Another way is to use advance consisting.
Jack W.
I don't have Digitrax. I have NCE. But I would assume that decoder programming between the systems would involve a similar process. So what I would do would be to program the decoders individually.
Put the first engine on the programming track and give it the engine number you want to identify the engine by, long address if you want to use the engine number, or some short address if you want to use an alias number. Then there should be some point in the programming process where it asks you what you want the normal direction of the engine to be. For this engine forward would be the normal direction.
Take the first engine off the programming track and replace with the second. Follow the same programming process. Assign the same address number to this engine that you did to the first. Then continue the programming to the point where it asks you what direction is normal. For this engine reverse would be the normal direction.
Put the engines on the main next to each other but uncoupled. Select the engine number you assigned to the decoders and select the forward direction. Both engines should then move in the same direction.
Please note that there are disadvantages to assigning both decoders the same number. Specifically, if the engines have different operating characteristics that could be corrected by changing CV values (such as the starting voltage or maximum voltage), you will not be able to make individual adjustments.
I guess the question to be asked is why don't you just consist them as was suggested above?
Regards
Larry
Another way is to take the shell off one loco and swap the gray and orange wire. Then set them both on the program track and set them both to the same address and same same direction.
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!
Permanent consist? Program it to the same address as the other unit, then add 1 to the value in CV29. It should then run 'backwards' while the other one runs forward, under the same address.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
maxmanPlease note that there are disadvantages to assigning both decoders the same number. Specifically, if the engines have different operating characteristics that could be corrected by changing CV values (such as the starting voltage or maximum voltage), you will not be able to make individual adjustments.
This is not necessarily true as the CV values are stored in each decoder. As long as you are not programming via Operations Mode programming (which is a pain on digitrax) then you should be fine setting different CV's on the two seperate decoders thus allowing to match speeds on the locomotives. However, you must only program one unit at a time.
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/
Renegade1c As long as you are not programming via Operations Mode programming (which is a pain on digitrax)
As long as you are not programming via Operations Mode programming (which is a pain on digitrax)
Why is it such a pain on Digitrax?
Select the address you want to program.
Press "program" until PO is displayed.
Program the engine.
As for setting up that AA consist with the same address....
Program each unit's address to their individual road numbers.
To run them in consist, program CV19 on each to a unique two digit "consist address". To make one unit run in reverse, add 128 to the address and program that into CV19. Select the unique consist address and run your consist.
The above is called "advanced" or "decoder assisted" consisting. While running in consist you can still control each engines functions using its individual address. You can program CV's as well in Operations mode. Speed and direction are controlled by their two digit consist address. To break the consist: program CV19 to 00.
The programming including setting up and breaking the consist can be done on the main.
Martin Myers
i stand corrected. I learned something new today. thanks
if you just MU the units as in the instructions when both decoders have individual addresses, aslong as the unit you want to add is actualy travelling in the correct direction ( reverse instead of forward?? ) that is the way it will travel once MU'd to the first A unit. so the first A unit or 'top' loco is travelling forward, reverse the other A unit upto it, and while the second A unit is in reverse, MU it to the first A unit that is in forward, and once MU'd they will travel in the same direction even though they vare facing opposite ways.
Very true but you have to watch what sort of consisting is being done. If it's of the command station variety, it will be non-portable (take the locos to a friend's house who also has DCC and they won't be consisted), and also if the command station gets reset, the won't be consisted. If it's programming CV19, Advanced Consisting, then it will stick when the locos are moved to another layout or the command station gets reset. If they're always going to be connected together (perhaps a drawbar instead of a coupler), then the easiest thing is still to give them identical addresses which will also work no matter where you take them.
I don't know if anyone has said this because I haven't read all the responses, So what I would suggest is when putting your consist in, try taking the second unit after you dial the number in change the direction of thelocomotive on your handheld and then press enter to apply the consist
To set advanced consist (2-digit address) with Digtrax, figure out which one you want as the leader. Set CV19 to that 2 digit number. For the rear one, set CV19 to that number plus 128. That will make it run the proper direction, in the consist. The engines I have done this to still have a 4-digit address.
You can still call up each engine, to turn the lights on-off, etc.
Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com
With Digitrax systems,if you configure the command station by setting OpSw 17 to 'Thrown', it will set the defaul method of consisting to use CV19 Advanced Consisting - so by following the usual procedure for creating a consist it will edit CV19 in the decoders for you.