I recently pulled my T55 ES44DCs out of storage to prep them for the new layout. I noticed that one ran slower than the other. I reset the CVs to factory settings but one continued to run slower than the other. I contacted Tower 55 by e-mail and was told that there is a software upgrade that can be applied by PR-2 or PR-3 that smoothes out some of the earlier problems. The decoders in the units I have came from two different production runs so the software is a little different, but they have the upgrade to fix that. If you still have the original box you can look on the end panel for a small yellow sticky dot with a number in it. Include that information when you contact Tower 55.
Ken
CACOLE: The TOWER55 has a Digitrax DH163 SoundFX factory installed, according the manual enclosed with the model that I´ve in front of my eyes. So, the topic is how to get an steady slow motion... Thanks
The best way to set the CVs is to start with the current values, and then adjust them a bit at a time in ops mode on the main with the loco on speed step 1. There are some suggetsed values in the decoder manual but those are basically the defaults. There's no one "use these values to make your loco run perfectlon speed step 1" setting, as every brand of loco, or at least every brand of motor used to run them, is different and likely needs different values for optimal performance. BEMF settings are mostly trial and error until it runs the way you want it across the entire speed range. The 'trick' to reducing the 'jump' that Digitrax decoders have is to keep the BEMF as low as possible to get the loco to run.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
What does your engine really have, or do you know for sure? The Digitrax DH163 is NOT a sound decoder. Do you mean that you have added the SoundBug to this decoder? If you have a Tower 55 with factory installed sound, it is a Digitrax SoundFX Decoder, not a 163.
You need to download the latest version of the Digitrax Mobile Decoder User's Manual from their web site and read page 59 where they discuss Scalable Speed Stabilization. This is their term for BEMF. Try setting everything to a value of 0 to turn BEMF off and start from there.
Mine were factory equipped with the Digitrax Sound FX, but which type of decoder you have shouldn't matter because as long as it's a Digitrax the performance should be exactly the same. Your track and wheels must be squeaky clean.
Make sure your command station is set to 128 speed steps unless you're using something really cheap that doesn't support that. Mine will begin to creep on speed step 1. Barely perceptible, but they are moving.
doc managoRemember that it has a Digitrax 163 sound decoder...Thanks
Doc,
I assume you meant Digitrax "165-series" decoder? The 165s have the Sound Bug option in them.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I have two of the Tower 55 Southern Pacific Black Widow ES4400ACs and didn't have to twiddle with any CVs to get them to creep as a consist.
In a TOWER 55, does anybody knows the best CV´s 55, 56, 57 position to get the best slow motion?. Remember that it has a Digitrax 163 sound decoder...Thanks