Hi Gary:
Good advice so far. Another option would be a LokSound Select Micro sound decoder or a LokPilot Micro non-sound decoder, either with a Loksound Power Pack keep alive.
Both decoders are tiny, but the biggest advantage to this set up is that the Power Pack keep alive is pretty small too. The Power Pack doesn't have as much 'running time' as the TCS keep alives do, but if you are only dealing with unpowered frogs they work great.
Here is one at work in a Grandt Line Box Cab with a Bull Ant drive:
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Couple very good suggestions above. A TCS M1 decoder has self adjusting BEMF which in itself will create a world of difference. To solve the dead frog syndrome, a TCS M1-KA comes with the wiring already installed to easily add a stay-alive capacitor.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
In fairness to Mantua and MRC, I don't think any manufacturer of a tenderless 0-6-0 or decoder will have consistent success over unpowered frogs unless it has keep-alive technology, which is a very new feature relative to the age of DCC and found in very few factory equipped DCC locos, if any.
- Douglas
Mantua + MRC = Disappointment. I would return it and hunt down a Proto 2000 0-6-0 switcher. You'll be much happier.
However, if you don't want to do that and can live w/o sound, a TCS motor-only decoder would be a great alternative and improvement. And, given the short wheel-base of a switcher, I'd opt for one that could utilize a keep-alive module so that you don't have the stall issues at the turnouts.
Mark's advice is sound though and worth a break-in period to see if motor-control improves at lower speeds.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The vendor tells me it's an MRC Decoder.
It also dies at every frog! I wanted to use it as a yard switcher so that's not good
Gary
No doubt needs a good breaking in first before you fiddle with any CVs. Give it a good run for fifteen minutes in both directions at a fair speed. Then do a bit of tweaking.
If the engine has momentum settings, adjust them for a bit of momentum on both acceleration and deceleration. That will help smooth things out a bit. Don't know if your decoder has BEMF (probably not) - but one that did would help immencely.
Hi all,
I just purchased a Mantua 0-6-0 DCC & Sound loco and placed it on the track to see how it runs. Left everything at factory settings.
Speed step 1 - nothing
Speed step 2 - nothing
speed step 3 - a jerk then nothing
Speed step 4 slow jerky movement
Speed step 6 moving steady
Does anyone have one of these? Is it possible to get it to run smooth?
I called the vendor who suggested I up the voltage on the accelarate CV and "try changing the address". Confidence is LOW.
What do you guys think?