I've put these into a couple of my steam locomotives and over all I am really happy with them. The Keep-alive feature is truely a game changer. However, as cool as the braking feature is for a mainline freight, it is kind of a problem for switching in tight situations (F7 is a 20% brake application for each time you push it, F6 releases the brakes). I went though the documentation last night, but I could not find a simple way to disable it. I'd like to toggle it off sometimes. Any suggestions before I call TCS? Thank - Nevin
Nevin I've put these into a couple of my steam locomotives and over all I am really happy with them. The Keep-alive feature is truely a game changer. However, as cool as the braking feature is for a mainline freight, it is kind of a problem for switching in tight situations (F7 is a 20% brake application for each time you push it, F6 releases the brakes). I went though the documentation last night, but I could not find a simple way to disable it. I'd like to toggle it off sometimes. Any suggestions before I call TCS? Thank - Nevin
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Literature/Decoders/WOWSound/WOW101-Steam%20Manual.pdf
Page 15
There is no toggle from what this says (I thought there used to be).
It is possible to switch with prototype throttle, just takes some getting used to (and you have to pay attention).
Page 16 also tells you how to adjust the brake rate.
Thank you, that was helpful. I think I will try to adjust the CV's for braking and see if I can tone it down for the switch engine. I agree that switching with the prototype throttle is doable but we often have a lot less room than the protoype and it takes a lot more concentration. Fortunately I've put up lucite barriers to keep cars from going over the edge of the layout.
IIRC TCS decoders come with CV 3 start momentum set for something like 30, and CV 4 stopping momentum is 95. Something like that anyway. You usually have to hit the brake several times to stop the engine.
I just changed CV 4 to be equal to CV 3. Then I only had to hit the brake function button once to stop the engine. If I just shut the throttle down to zero, it drifts to a stop in the same distance using the brake takes, just doesn't make a squeal.
Switching with the brake is pretty easy once you've re-set CV4. As the engine approaches a car, hit the brake and it slows up and stops just as it couples up. Reverse the engine, and hit the brake button again and the engine starts going to other direction with the car. At yard speed, the engine usually slows and stops within a short distance, 3-4 inches maybe?
wjstix IIRC TCS decoders come with CV 3 start momentum set for something like 30, and CV 4 stopping momentum is 95. Something like that anyway. You usually have to hit the brake several times to stop the engine. I just changed CV 4 to be equal to CV 3. Then I only had to hit the brake function button once to stop the engine. If I just shut the throttle down to zero, it drifts to a stop in the same distance using the brake takes, just doesn't make a squeal. Switching with the brake is pretty easy once you've re-set CV4. As the engine approaches a car, hit the brake and it slows up and stops just as it couples up. Reverse the engine, and hit the brake button again and the engine starts going to other direction with the car. At yard speed, the engine usually slows and stops within a short distance, 3-4 inches maybe?