CV's

[NZRMac]

Hello again

Just setting up my loco's, I think I should be using 128 speed steps? do you have to program the decoder for 128 as well? what CV is that?

What value would you recommend for CV's 3 and 4 start- stop?

I'm using the Lenz Compact DCC and have two bit addressing.

Cheers Ken.

[Anonymous]

I think most decoders come factory-set to 28/128 speed steps - my Lenz and Bachmann ones did anyway. The factory values for CV 3 and 4 on Lenz decoders seem pretty good - CV3 is 4 and CV4 is 1. I've reprogrammed my Bachmann decoders with these settings and it does seem to have made them better at controlled starts and slow running, though the speed curve is still wrong - there's a big jump at about speed step 3 which doesn't help with switching!

[NZRMac]

Thanks Matt.

When I select 128 on the dcc it doesn't seem to stay there after power is cycled off-on it returns to 28.

I used 25 as the value on the accelerate decelerate CV's 3 and 4 they seem to work fine a nice gradule take off and slow down, just have to be careful and give myself stopping room.

Ken.

[knewsom]

It may have to do with the memory on the handheld. I know on my Prodigy Advance it will default it back to 28 speed step unless I store the loco in my handheld (by unplugging it from the command station). Once I do that it will remember the last 20 locos and their settings.

Kevin

[Anonymous]

I have the Compact as well and have had the same problem - attempt to select 128, it defaults back to 28. Have given up trying to alter this as it seems to run well as it is, so I'm following the first rule of electronics - if it's working, don't change anything!

[Anonymous]

On my system (Easy DCC) you have to tell the command station which step setting you want to run the loco on. Once the station is set, it always remembers. The decoder has to support 128 steps in order to operate in that mode.

On the acceleration setting I like a large number for a slow start. I keep the decel. fairly quick to avoid accidents.

[NZRMac]

Thanks guys, Kevin, the Lenz Compact isn't quite as flash as the Prodigy!!

I'll just stick to what it wants to do to thanks Matt.

Guy, Yup already crashed the hoppers off the end of the siding!! no damage tho.

Ken.

[cacole]

Some decoders that claim to support 128 speed step are actually 28, and "extrapolate" to 128, which is electronic gimmickry, so they will always revert to 28 speed steps when the power is turned off.

CV29 needs to have a value of 2 programmed into it to tell the decoder to operate on 28/128 speed step instead of 14, if you have a decoder that defaults to 14 speed step mode. If you're also using a long address, CV29 needs to have 34 programmed into it.

[NZRMac]

Thanks Charles, that seems to be happening to me, reverts to 28, I'll just stick to 28 like Matt suggested, loco's all run so why try and change it??

Ken.