I have to guess the first thing is to run them and find out which is the slowest engine. Then scale back the speed of the other engines I want in the consist. I know the closer they are in speed the better, but how close do they have to me? My A line is around 65 feet. If I start them say 5 foot a part and after a lap the faster one has caught the slower, is that OK?
One of the reasons I ask is, Simon 1966 speed matched 3 of the 4 PK 1000 F-3's Monos, I did not have a decoder for the 4th one. Guess a good starting point would be to copy the files from one of there decoders and start from there.
Other reason I ask is one of the F-3 A's has went rouge, Simon had problems with one of the A's and I have to guess this is the one. Takes of way quicker then other F3's.
By the way, any one looking for cheap pulling power look at the PK 1000 F 3's. I have seen a pair of A and B both powered for $40.00. Two of them are dragging 34 cars like there is nothing behind them.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Here's a link for Ya !
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn1/y_Speed_Matching_DecPro
Even if you don't use Decoder Pro it has some good tips
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
One tip is it's nice if your programming track is part of your layout, so you can make an adjustment, test it, make another adjustment, test it etc. without having to pick up the engine to take it to a programming track somewhere off the layout.
Generally I start by putting the two engines into a consist, then trying to just use F5 and F6 to match the speed of the engines. It can take some time but eventually you can get it very close. Then I look at F3 and F4 to set the momentum so the engines start and stop together...sometimes F2 might be used too if one is starting later than the other one.
I guess the key point is there is no magic formula, it's just trial and error and testing it out.
In DC days the rule of thumb was that they should be within about 10% of each other. With DCC it's pretty easy to get them within one or two percent. They don't have to be perfect but the closer they are the better they will run, especially at slow speeds.