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PROBLEM SOLVED!!! Setup of 3 decoders for an ABA set

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  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Saturday, August 29, 2009 3:40 PM

 You can speed match even if they have the same addresses - having the same address doesn;t mean they have to have the same settings for start, mid, and top, or the same values in a speed table.

 How to proceed for the OP depends on the intended use. If the units will be mixed and matched, then definitely individual addresses are what is wanted. If they will always be operated as a set, like they had drawbars, then by all means use the same address.

                        --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Charlotte, NC
  • 6,099 posts
Posted by Phoebe Vet on Saturday, August 29, 2009 2:49 PM

Welcome to the forum Sign - Welcome

As usual, I vote with Mr.B.  When you use separate addresses and consist them,it allows you to speed match them.

I use Digitrax and assembling a consist with a DT400 series throttle is very simple.  I don't know about the other systems.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, August 29, 2009 1:41 PM

I don't have this specific decoder set, nor any Mars lights, so I'll stay away from that part.

I would give all units separate addresses unless they are hard-coupled together with permanent drawbars rather than couplers.  I enjoy the simple exercise of bringing engines together and consisting them, and then breaking the consist at the end of the run and sending them off to other jobs.  Separate addresses let you use them all independently.  (Even B units can be operated from "hostelers' cabs" for use in engine service areas when the A units aren't around.)

Your DCC system instructions should tell you how to create consists and put engines in "backwards."  It's not done the same way for every system, although the results should be the same.

There was an MR article a few months back about "advanced consisting" and how to set the engines up so that the lights behave the way you want them to.  It involves setting up certain CVs in the decoder to do this.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • 11 posts
PROBLEM SOLVED!!! Setup of 3 decoders for an ABA set
Posted by ibjman on Saturday, August 29, 2009 12:52 PM

Hello, I'm new to forums so please just let me know if I'm not doing this right, Thx.

I have 1 Loksound XL V3.5 and 2 LokpilotXL V3.0 boards that I am installing in an A-B-A set.

I'm not sure if I should use them all under the same address thereby calling up all three with a single address or if I should have a different address for each board and consist them @ the throttle?

 Also can anyone say when the mars lights on either end should be operational and when 1 or both is on/off? These are in EMD F7's and currently the seperate headlight is wired on "0" key for front headlight

Primarily,I'm needing info on how to make the rear A unit run in the same direction as the front one when I have them all together and I'd like to be able to "switch ends" at times if possable.

 

Also, my mars light connection has 4 wires, 2 for each grain of wheat bulb (I think).

 Can someone help me with seting up the wiring to those? Does it go with one bulb on Aux 1 and one on AUX 2, then set up Aux 1 to be on steady while flashing Aux 2?    

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