I wish the DCC manufacturers could design a program that could automatically load settings into an MU set up. I'm trying to say, in a 4 unit operation, the lead locomotive parameters are read, and that data is transferred to the other 3 locomotives so they can all run the same speed and if you decide to remove one or all locomotives from the MU set up, press an a progrmmed "F" key for a certain locomotive and that would reset it to it's programmed settings before the MU operation not factory settings.
I have recently changed from my Lenz DCC system to the Roco Z21 system.
I have just started to MU some of my locos.
Each loco has a "settings" page within the app on the i phone I use for control. In the settings page the locos timed run between two specific points on the track at three different control settings is entered into the app. When the locos are MU'd the app adjusts the releative speeds so that the locos run together.
No setting of CVs, no speed matching, only the timing can be a lengthy process and a bit time consuming but it only has to be done once.
Once this was done with my all roster, then any locos could be MU'd with any other locos in the fleet.
http://www.aandhmodels.co.uk/roco-z21-part10-multi-traction---consists-1262-c.asp
The 'same settings' don't mean various locos will run the same. I still don't get why people are so worried about getting every loco to run in lockstep. You couldn't and didn;t when running on DC, DCC is no different. Vast differences don't run well, but as long as they are close - especially with the load of a train, slight differences even out.
If you have your locos already configured to run with similar characteristics, when you MU them they will run together. I like to have all my locos creep at step 1 - if they all do that, then they will all start together in consist. You can also set all of them so they run at a realistic top speed at full throttle - now they will be quite close across the entire speed range.
There's not much to copy anyway - I never use speed tables, no pooint. I refuse to use a decoder that doesn;t support CV2-6-5 for a simple 3 part speed curve, and usually just configuring CV2 for start and CV6 for top speed is sufficient. I run locos set this way in consist for hours at a time at club shows with no excessive heating of the motors or other bad things happening. If I put the three on the track alone and uncoupled, I am sure they won't all stay perfectly apart, yet coupled together and pulling a train they run great.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
The RailPro system automatically adjusts the locomotives speeds to match the lead locomotive. On the fly. No extra buttons to push. When a locomotive is removed from the consist, it reverts to its own settings, automatically.
I've got my locos pretty much speed matched for the groups they run in. My Lenz system adds in locos individually to consists, and when they are released the go back to their original settings.
Some of my consists are simply a single powered unit and one or two sound and light dummies.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
willy6 I wish the DCC manufacturers could design a program that could automatically load settings into an MU set up. I'm trying to say, in a 4 unit operation, the lead locomotive parameters are read, and that data is transferred to the other 3 locomotives so they can all run the same speed and if you decide to remove one or all locomotives from the MU set up, press an a progrmmed "F" key for a certain locomotive and that would reset it to it's programmed settings before the MU operation not factory settings.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Thanks for the answer, I got JMRI but have not got into the advanced aspects of it. I'll check it today.