Can someone address a problem Im having with my MTH Santa Fe A-B units that are not working as a complete consist? The model numbers are #80-2272-1L and 80-2272-1T. I'm using a Digitrax EVO Evolution Advanced 5A/8AStarter Set for control. The locomotives lash up as a consist and run as a pair except the B unit does not shut down (the engine noise remains) using the #3 function key when the A unit does. I've attempted to change the CV on the B unit per the MTH instruction and get the responce but not the correction. Perhaps I'm not programming the B unit correctly?
It's behaving exactly as expected. If you are using the standard Digitrax consisting, the function commands are only getting sent to the lead loco. So the trailing unit never sees the F3. The easiest way to do it is to select the loco number of the B uniut on the left throttle, then you cna directly send it function commands.
I run my FA A-B set with both set to the same address instead of consisting them. But this creates another problem, if one unit hits dirty track, the sound shuts off, but usually the second one does not. So now if I hit F3, the lead unit will start back up, and the trailing unit shuts down. It's one of the many annoyances an design flaws that just make me say no to any further MTH locos. It needs to be on with function on, off with functioon off, noot toggle with change in state of the function, AND if the loco is already at other than speed step 0, it shouldn;t play the startup sequence but rather just resume the prime mover. Actual DCC sound decoders do this just fine. They run pretty well ootherwise, and look nice, so I might just gut them and install Loksound decoders.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinkerI run my FA A-B set with both set to the same address instead of consisting them.
Or you can just consist them instead of giving them the same address.
Problems such as these turned me off to buying any MTH stuff. I do have one diesel unit I bought used from a friend, but have not had to play with it yet. By itself it ran pretty good.
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
Digitrax uses "Universal" consisting where the consisting is done by the command station. When you consist two locos together, one is the "leader" (always the right knob) and the other is a "trailer" (usually the left knob). The command station repeats the leader's engine speed and direction commands to the trailer; only that and nothing else. So when you blow the horn while using a Digitrax consist, only the leader reacts. To access the functions of a trailer, one must have the trailer's address on a throttle (usually the left knob). Turn or push the left knob to make it the active (last used) throttle and now one can blow the trailer's horn or use any other trailer function. To go back to the leader, just turn or push the right knob.
NCE, et al., uses "Advanced" consisting where the consisting is done on the engine decoders using CV19. When two locos are consisted, the same value is programmed into each decoder's CV19. If CV19 is a value greater than 00, it will ignore it's 4-digit address and react as if it were the 2-digit address programmed into CV19.
Originally, MTH DCS decoders did not support CV19; now they do. But I always thought it was interesting that MTH designed a product that could not be MU'd on NCE, Lenz, etc., just Digitrax.