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Motor tuning with NCE decoders

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  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Trois-Rivieres Quebec Canada
  • 1,063 posts
Posted by jalajoie on Thursday, February 12, 2009 5:26 PM

rrinker

 If you have a meter that can read amps and a DC power pack check it out. We don;t want another Cuda Ken on our hands here (sorry Ken - just teasing). If your loco need CV2=80 to start there is probably somethign wrong - defective motor, binding in the gears or drivetrain - something is NOT right. It's probably drawing excessive current and could eventually burn up the decoder.

                                        --Randy

Good suggestions Randy and David, I have access to a RRampMeter at the club and will follow your suggestion.

My LHS already told me it will replace the motor no charge if needed. I also tested the loco for binding and did not find any problem. I will also check the lube.

Jack W.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Trois-Rivieres Quebec Canada
  • 1,063 posts
Posted by jalajoie on Thursday, February 12, 2009 5:19 PM

mikebo

Here's the N141P Doc. See page 3 under Torque Compensation Kick Rate and Strength.  I would suggest setting setting CV 116 to 2 and CV 117 to 40 see if the loco will start at a lower speed. Those are the highest settings I've used for some balky locos, you still may need CV 2 to be 40 or so. The real issue is if the loco runs smoothly and relatively slow with those settings.

Thank Mike looks like I was reading the doc with my eyes shut.

Jack W.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, February 12, 2009 4:41 PM

 If you have a meter that can read amps and a DC power pack check it out. We don;t want another Cuda Ken on our hands here (sorry Ken - just teasing). If your loco need CV2=80 to start there is probably somethign wrong - defective motor, binding in the gears or drivetrain - something is NOT right. It's probably drawing excessive current and could eventually burn up the decoder.

                                        --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: Maryland
  • 178 posts
Posted by mikebo on Thursday, February 12, 2009 4:41 PM

Here's the N141P Doc. See page 3 under Torque Compensation Kick Rate and Strength.  I would suggest setting setting CV 116 to 2 and CV 117 to 40 see if the loco will start at a lower speed. Those are the highest settings I've used for some balky locos, you still may need CV 2 to be 40 or so. The real issue is if the loco runs smoothly and relatively slow with those settings.

Mike Modeling Maryland Railroads in the 60's (plus or minus a few years)
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Trois-Rivieres Quebec Canada
  • 1,063 posts
Posted by jalajoie on Thursday, February 12, 2009 2:54 PM

Thanks for the prompt reply, can you direct me where in the doc you found the usable range ? I took a look at NCE doc before posting the question and did not find anything on the subject.

The loco is brand new just out of the box, I will lube the motor bearings and see if it will help. nothing is binding, the loco run smoothly otherwise.

Jack W.

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: Maryland
  • 178 posts
Posted by mikebo on Thursday, February 12, 2009 2:39 PM

 NCE's doc says  the practical max for cv 116 is 6 and the usable range for cv 117 is 0-50 for the N141p. I've never had to use values outside of those ranges.

If the loco takes so much to get moving is something binding, have dirty wheels or does it need a lube?

 

Mike Modeling Maryland Railroads in the 60's (plus or minus a few years)
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Trois-Rivieres Quebec Canada
  • 1,063 posts
Motor tuning with NCE decoders
Posted by jalajoie on Thursday, February 12, 2009 2:09 PM

Anyone know the range of values for CV 116 and CV117 of an NCE decoder ? Off hand I would say from 0 to 255 inclusive but would like to make sure before I start playing with these CV.

What would you suggest as a normal value ? If it matter this is an NCE N14IP version 3.6 yes V3.6 not V3.5.

I have a Athearn RTR SD40-2 that need a value of 80 in CV2 to start moving at speed step 1, I figure some kick rate should help reduce this abnormally high setting.

Jack W.

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