Hi!
I've been on a "sound adjusting" program to lower the engine sound volume on all locos/units while keeping the whistle and a few other functions loud. In working with two BLI RSD15s (HO), it was touch and go but I finally succeeded.
When I finished and tested, the sounds were fine but I must have somehow changed the acceleration / deceleration rates. One loco has instant response - which is what I want, and the other has a significant delay, which I don't want. What CV do I change, and to what value? Yes, I have looked in the manual and I finally gave up as I couldn't find the answer.
Thank you!
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
CV3 is acceleration momentum and CV4 is deceleration momentum. As to value, that's a personal choice, there's always the e-stop of you don;t slow down soon enough. I like alittle in just about any loco (10 or under), although using slightly larger numbers is even better to simulate starting a loaded train.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Typically CV 3 and 4 are starting momentum and stopping momentum. BTW CV 2 controls what speed step one is, so if that was adjusted too high on the one engine it might make it start moving sooner than the other one. I'd try setting CV 2,3 and 4 all to zero on both and see what happens. Maybe check CV 5 and 6 to make sure something hasn't changed there also??
While I've run DCC - and enjoyed immensely - the last three years, in some areas I am still a "newbie".
What I tend to get frustrated with is that some CV info is in the individual Loco's manual and some is in the Digitrax manual. I understand it being that way, and with each new programming project I'm learning a bit more.
DCC "can" be complicated, but the user's requirements dictates how complicated it will be. In any case, changing to DCC was one of my better decisions, and it has increased my MR enjoyment immensely.
Thanks again,
Hey Mobilman. have you got access to a surplus PC? Nothing special, a cheap used XP box would do the trick. If so, can I strongly recommend that you consider downloading the free Decoder Pro software from http://www.decoderpro.com/ and get a PC interface for your DCC system. (What DCC system do you have BTW?)
Here are the reasons for considering this.
1. Making the programming changes you are describing are simple. You don't have to know CV's all is handled by a graphical user interface. Increase and decrease volumes with sliders etc.
2. If you are making several changes to the basic setup for a decoder you save these settings for each individual locomotive. Then if for some reason you have to re-set the decoder you can then simply re-upload all your custom settings at once.
I have been using this program for several years now and can't imagine being without it.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Simon,
Yes, I have heard about Decoder Pro but until very recently didn't think it was worth doing for my purposes. As my PC/Hobby room is right next to the layout room, it just occurred to me that I could run a temp wire between the PC and programming track in the next room.
That's something I need to study...............
Thanks,
simon1966 I strongly recommend that you consider downloading the free Decoder Pro software from http://www.decoderpro.com/ and get a PC interface for your DCC system.
I strongly recommend that you consider downloading the free Decoder Pro software from http://www.decoderpro.com/ and get a PC interface for your DCC system.
That is interesting and sounds like something that I would like to do as well.
Is the PC interface wireless?
How do you get instructions and settings back and forth from the PC to the DCC system to the decoder?
Also, any recommendations for a specific PC interface?
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrain simon1966: I strongly recommend that you consider downloading the free Decoder Pro software from http://www.decoderpro.com/ and get a PC interface for your DCC system. That is interesting and sounds like something that I would like to do as well. Is the PC interface wireless? How do you get instructions and settings back and forth from the PC to the DCC system to the decoder? Also, any recommendations for a specific PC interface? Rich
simon1966: I strongly recommend that you consider downloading the free Decoder Pro software from http://www.decoderpro.com/ and get a PC interface for your DCC system.
Rich,
I thought I showed you how to do this?
With your NCE PHP (like me) it has a connection on the front of the box. It's called a "serial port". What you need is a special cable called a USB to Serial. You can get it Best Buy or Walmart, or online.
You need to install the drivers software on your PC. Then you connect your USB port on your PC to the Serial Port on the NCE box.
Then you can install Decoder Pro JMRI. In Decoder Pro, you create a new entry for each of your locomotives. Then you input what kind of decoder is in it. Then you go through the different settings for it, sounds, lights, momentum, etc. You then tell it to program all new settings to the locomotive.
Also, you need to connect a piece of track to the programming outputs on the NCE box. It has to be completely isolated, a separate track. When you program you put the loco on this programming track.
It's very easy to use, I program all my locos on it. And I also use it for Operations.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Motley Rich, I thought I showed you how to do this?
Nope, you never did.
He didn't show me either...haha, But then again I don't use DCC.
Cheers, Frank
The PC interface to the DCC system is entirely dependent on the DCC system that you use. Not all offer them BTW. http://www.decoderpro.com/help/en/html/hardware/index.shtml this link provides the information you need. Either that, or start a thread here with "I have DCC system X and want to connect a PC and Decoder Pro" There are many of us on the forum that use it and can give specific instructions for most systems. The good news is that the PC requirements are minimal so cast off PC's can do the job just fine. My train room has a decade old PC running Windows 2000 and it is more than adequate for the demands.
The other thing I have done is to run the WiiThrottle server application that is found in Decoder Pro. Via my wireless home network I am using my Android based Galaxy Tablet PC as a dual throttle to control the layout. There is lots you can do once you start to dig into Decoder Pro.
When you look at that list of supported DCC systems, did you have any idea that there were so many?
mobilman44 What I tend to get frustrated with is that some CV info is in the individual Loco's manual and some is in the Digitrax manual. I understand it being that way, and with each new programming project I'm learning a bit more.
To be honest, I don't understand it being that way, which is why I don't install Digitrax decoders in engines generally. TCS decoders have much simpler instructions and walk you through it without having to refer to a separate book or online manual. Unfortunately when I started in DCC TCS didn't have Back EMF "cruise control" so I installed quite a few Digitrax decoders that now I'd rather have TCS ones in.
That being said...one thing about setting up a connection for Decoder Pro is that you can also use the programming track to use Digitrax' "Sound Loader" to change the sounds in their new line of sound decoders. Even though as I said I'm not that hot on Digitrax decoders, I probably will try one of these new ones to compare it to my Tsunami equipped engines.
Stix, to be clear if you want to use the Soundloader program you must have the Digitrax PR3 interface not the RR-Circuits Locobuffer. Since there is more than one choice of PC interface for a Digitrax system. Also, as a die-hard Digitrax DCC user, I also shy away from Digitrax decoders. I don't like how they handle lighting effects with LED's. I have installed a Digitrax sound decoder and used the soundloader application. They have very limited sound files available. But considering the price difference between a Digitrax sound decoder and a Tsunami, they are reasonable value. Not in the same league in terms of sound IMO.