I have a new MTH 2-8-2 locomotive and I have an NCE DCC system. I programmed the short address as "3". I programed the long address 4515 and activated the long address and deactivated the short address. I selected loco No. 4515 and toggled No. 3.
I can't get the long address to work.
I must select loco 3 and toggle No. 3 to run the locomotive and it runs fine.
Can someone tell me how to use the long address?
thank you.
You can't program the long address on the program track with the NCE system. In matter of fact you can't program it at all.
We had a similar problem at the club with a NCE power pro. The solution is to by a program track adapter from NCE, and then buy a program track booster like PowerPax.
Just another of the gotcha's of working on an MTH train on an DCC layout.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Hi timber2,
You do NOT need a Power Pax to program the long address of an MTH locomotive to set the long address. This is just another misconception / misunderstanding about MTH locomotives.
I too run my MTH HO locomotives with NEC. I don't own one of the light Mikes, but I do own eight other MTH engines all programmed to with their cab numbers as their long address. Here's how you do it...
First, you have to program CV's 17 and 18 with the long address while the engine is still programmed to the short address. Since you failed to get the engine to respond to the long address the first time, it is best to assume it also failed to register the change of the long address to 4515. Do this first or you could loose communications with the engine and have to do a reset.
ALL PROGRAMING OF MTH ENGINES MUST BE DONE ON THE MAIN!
To program the engine place it on the main and make sure it will run as engine 3. Then enter the OPS programming mode on your NCE system by pressing the PROG/ESC key once and pressing enter. Press "2" to program the CV's directly. Type in "17" and press enter to select CV17 . Type in "209" and press enter to enter a value of 209 in CV17. Repeat the process for CV18, entering a value of "163."
Now you can safely program CV29 so the locomotive will respond to the long address. Follow the same steps above to enter OPS mode programming, select CV29, and enter a value of "34."
Your engine will now respond to the long address of #4515 and will run at one scale mile per hour for each speed step.
So why not save yourself a lot of excess work and for the money you spent for the MTH 2-8-2 you could have bought 2 of the BLI versions with some spare change left over.
You could also probably have done the same with with a couple of brass ones as well actually.
Mark
I would suggest reading the directions. Here's a link to the manual.
Go to page 21. It shows that you program CV 29 to 38 to set the address to the loco cab number.
MTH loco's aren't programed the same way as a standard DCC loco.
Since you've tried something else set CV 55 to 55 to reset before starting.
Also program on the main, not program track.
Springfield PA
Dave,
Many thanks. I followed your instructions and the locomotive operates fine with the long address. The DCC instruction in the manual were not as understandable as your instruction.
I'm up and running now. I hope other folks who read your instructions benefit from them. Perhaps MTH should provide a copy of your instructions as an adendum in the manual.
Best Regards.
I appreciated immensely your instructions for programming my MTH Mikado 2-8-2 locomotive, Baltimore & Ohio.
As I mentioned, my control/power system is an NCE wireless procab. In general terms, how do you lower the volume (e.g. whistle & bell) on a locomotive? For example, I have a Blueline 2-8-2 Mikado, Great Northern and the whistle and bell are too loud.
Also, I have a Spectrum 2-8-0, with Tsunami sound, but the whistle and bell volume is too low.
Can you advise me?
Thanks much.
Timber2
Timber,
The CVs for changing the master volume level should be located in your Blueline and Tsunami manuals that came with your locomotives. Some locomotives also have a built-in rheostat for manually turning down the master volume. These are sometimes located under the water hatch on the tender.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
There isn't a CV for programming volume on MTH loco's when using DCC. There is a function key that will lower it but you have to mess with it every time you run.
If you look on the tender there is a little hatch that removes. Inside you'll find a volume control as well as the smoke switch. Here's a pic with the hatch removed.
I just purchased the same engine, I am bit confused about changing the address. I understand all the steps, however changing cv17 set to 209, and cv18 set to 169 allows a long address? Then CV29 allows you to type in the long address? Is this correct?
Thanks,
Program CV29 to 38 and you'll be all set. When you make this setting it's preset to your loco number
MTH doesnt' follow the standard DCC rules.
You can mess with cv 17 and 18 but they make it easy with the cab address pre-programmed.
It shows on page 21 of the manual
http://www.mthtrains.com/sites/default/files/download/instruction/80st12696i.pdf
So the long address is already in the loco? Only CV 29 needs to be changed to 38 activate it? If so thats very easy.
Though if I wanted to change it to something else. CV 29 needs to be set to 34. Then change CV's 17 and 18 to the corresponding values based on the xcell doc found here: http://extranet.mth-railking.com/pdfapp/pdfs/instruction/HO%20DCC%20addressCV17_18%20Converter.xls.
They should make this in BOLD Letters so everyone will see that its pretty easy.
That is correct.
Remember to program it on the main, not a program track.
Thanks for all the help.
Don't forget to post pics of your new toy here.
I'm thinking about getting one of these models but the trouble is my turn radius is 18 degrees everywhere. MTH states on its site the engine can operate on 22 degree turns but I've seen 18 degrees mentioned in other places. To the guys who own these models, have you tried operating them on 18 degree turns? Does it work?
These models might cost a bit more than the other ones available out there but they are well worth it. I own both an MTH Challenger and an Athearn Challenger and greatly prefer the MTH version, I've just about forgotten the Athearn. To me, the MTH version has better sound and the synchronized chuff and smoke is so much better than the constant flow and sometimes sputtering actions of one of the Seuthe smoke generators from other models including my Athearn. Since I already have a lot of locomotives, I'd rather save up my money to get one of these models with all the bells and whistles.
I can't say I fully understand programming with MTH, but I've been following the instructions discussed in this MRR thread:
http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/139573/1555942.aspx
So, after setting CV29 to 34, I simply keyed the first two digits of my desired 4-digit address into CV17, and then the last two digits into CV18. For example, if I want my loco address to be 1234, I keyed 12 into CV17 and 34 into CV18.
Setting CV29 to 38 to use the cab address is a great shortcut, it's just that a couple MTH turbines that I have had two digit cab numbers, so I tack on two more digits. I use the same two digits for all locos with two or less digits for the cab number so it's easy for me to remember.
I should also note that the above steps were done with an NCE system, which apparently does the binary value translation for you, thereby allowing you to enter the actual address values into CV17 and 18 without doing the conversion.
dave hikel ALL PROGRAMING OF MTH ENGINES MUST BE DONE ON THE MAIN!
When is MTH going to join the twenty-first century and allow the use of a programming track so as not to completely wreck the programming of other loco's when done on the MAIN!
Rick
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
2059 I'm thinking about getting one of these models but the trouble is my turn radius is 18 degrees everywhere. MTH states on its site the engine can operate on 22 degree turns but I've seen 18 degrees mentioned in other places. To the guys who own these models, have you tried operating them on 18 degree turns? Does it work?
I don't have any experience with this engine, so keep that in mind when I say that, if the manufacturer states that it is recommended for 22" radius, and you wish to run it on a radius that is effectively 20% shorter (!!!), you are probably inviting a probability of trouble in the order of 97%. If the prediction is that a typical user is only 5% likely to experience problems running on 22" radii, and if the standard deviation for the probability function is, say, 2", then you are going to be something like two standard deviations into the 'red' end of the bell curve of a standard normal distribution. In other words, the 'red' is going to be from a nose bleed when your blood pressure rises to catastrophic levels after a week of trying to coax this fine model locomotive around 18" radii.
To help with an example, the BLI PRR J1, a 2-10-4, is recommended for 24" minimum radius. Our hosts here, when they tested one, found that it could get around 22" radius, a much smaller difference into the difficult range. But they didn't say it was working at track speed. I suspect they almost walked it through curves that tight. You are asking if an MTH 4-6-2 recommended for 22" radius will run on 18". It may, but are you willing to walk it all the time, or accept rerailing it often?
Maybe someone with some actual first-hand knowledge will answer in the affirmative, in which case all I have contributed is a bunch of hot air. I guess it wouldn't be the first time...
Crandell
I don't think any of your contributions have been full of hot air! Experience speaks!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Thanks for your reply Crandell. I was told by someone on youtube who owns one of these models that it can make it through 17 1/2 degree turns without a problem. I wanted to see what you guys would have to say. After hearing from you and doing a little experimenting myself, I think he is the one who is full of hot air. I'm betting the pilot truck will derail on an 18 degree turn. I'm wondering though how the Big Boy and the Berkshire are able to make it through 18 degree turns and not the Mikado. MTH has them listed as being able to negotiate the 18 degree turns. The Mikado is a 2-8-2 and the Berkshire is a 2-8-4.
2059 Thanks for your reply Crandell. I was told by someone on youtube who owns one of these models that it can make it through 17 1/2 degree turns without a problem. I wanted to see what you guys would have to say. After hearing from you and doing a little experimenting myself, I think he is the one who is full of hot air. I'm betting the pilot truck will derail on an 18 degree turn. I'm wondering though how the Big Boy and the Berkshire are able to make it through 18 degree turns and not the Mikado. MTH has them listed as being able to negotiate the 18 degree turns. The Mikado is a 2-8-2 and the Berkshire is a 2-8-4.
I have a Mikado and Berkshire and they will both do an 18 inch radius curve. The Mikado has a shorter overall drive wheel length and the drivers are also smaller. The documentation does show 22 inch though. Listed on this link.
http://www.mthtrains.com/content/80-3141-1
The Berkshire advertises 18 inch on the box and will do it but you better have perfrect track. Look at the last line on this link to the right.
http://www.mthtrains.com/content/81-3002-1
Both loco's have flanges on all drivers and there are no blind ones that are usually seen for use on smaller radius track.
The size of the loco doesn't always indicate the radius of track. My Y6b articulated will run full speed around 18 inch curves. The loco is relatively long but the individual trucks are not.
Look at page 13 of the Berkshire manual. There is a specific setting for the pilot when used on 18 inch radius curves:
http://www.mthtrains.com/sites/default/files/download/instruction/80st11910i.pdf
Thank you very much for the information Hamltnblue. I was hoping to hear from someone with first hand knowledge!
i just did mine it was tricky not really sure how it did it but i did. but it can be done