Momentum on an NCE Power Cab

[wdcrvr]

I have not really changed much on my locos. I run the NCE Power cab. Does changing the momentum setting change the rate of increase or decrease in the speed of the loco? So if you want to keep your locos from jumping into movement do you set the momentum at a higher level? Does higher momentum also mean that the loco will also take longer to respond to a reduction in speed thereby increasing the stopping distance needed? Thanks wdcrvr

[Doughless]

Lastspikemike

Do you need ESU's proprietary software to read CV values? Lokprogrammer is it called?

 

No.  You can read CVs by using the Program Track mode.

[gregc]

tstage

Actually, it is applied to the decoder, Martin.  And to confirm that I ran a little experiment.

that's interesting.   thanks for doing/reporting this experiment

i would have thought it wouldn't be difficult for the power cab to simply send in/decreasing speed values.

it could have done something similar if there were grade buttons

[tstage]

As mentioned, I generally enter a momentum of 2 or 3 for my steam & diesel locomotives.  All I'm looking for is the gradual/delayed transitions into the speed steps.  I can mimic my own overall momentum by just using the fine speed buttons on my Power Cab.

Tom

[Water Level Route]

BigDaddy

It's against my nature and maybe everyone else, but you should keep what you change on each locomotive.  Six months later you will have no idea.

I generally agree with this.  However, in terms of momentum, I think NCE made it so easy to regularly change momentum so you can alter it based on the size of train you are about to pull.  Since the accel/decel values are roughly equivalent you shouldn't get into a pickle running an engine you haven't in some time.  Just take note of how fast it takes off.  If you do get in a tight spot, press the emergency stop button.

[tstage]

Correct.  You can change them in either programming track mode, programming on the main mode (POM), or "on the fly" using the momentum button on your Power Cab.  The locomotive will come to halt though if you perform the latter and it is already moving.  It will then resume the set speed step using the new momentum values.

Tom

[Martin4]

Thanks for the info Tom.

So CVs 3 and 4 are modified even without being in Program Mode ?

Martin 4

[tstage]

Actually, it is applied to the decoder, Martin.  And to confirm that I ran a little experiment.

I took my Walthers SW7 switcher and checked the momentum CVs (3 & 4) in programming track mode.  Each had a value of "24", which is equivalent to "3" using the Power Cab momentum button.  Using the Power Cab I changed momentum to "5" and CVs 3 & 4 each showed a value of "40".  I cycled power, turned the Power Cab back on, and checked CVs 3 & 4 again.  Their values were still "40".

So, whether you use the momentum button or manually change CVs 3 & 4 to increase or decrease momentum, the CV values are retained in the decoder...until you change it to something else.

Tom

[Martin4]

I think the momentum is not applied to the decoder setup; it is a momentary feature.

 

[BigDaddy]

Martin4

You have to know that a level of momentum has been applied and remenber the value. Or set up the momentum each time you want to be sure of applyint it.

It's against my nature and maybe everyone else, but you should keep what you change on each locomotive.  Six months later you will have no idea.

[tstage]

The Power Cab only asks you to enter a value of 1 through 9 (0, being the default) for the momentum level after pressing the MOMENTUM button.  If there is a delay in starting out/slowing down then the values in CVs 3 & 4 have changed.  You have to read the values of those CVs and divide by 8 to determine the actual momentum setting of your decoder.  I generally keep the momentum value of my locomotives about the same - i.e. 16 or 24; that's 2 or 3 using the MOMENTUM button on the Power Cab.

Tom

[Martin4]

After continuing testing I found a few minutes ago that the momentum function is working. What is confusing is that no value appears when setting it up as if nothing was happening.

You have to know that a level of momentum has been applied and remenber the value. Or set up the momentum each time you want to be sure of applyint it.

Martin 4

[BigDaddy]

I have a handful of diesels with loksound and I have not any problem using momentum.  NCE writes to CV 3 & 4 to do that.  My layout is not wired up at present to test if you need to cycle power, at the moment.

[tstage]

Martin,

The only decoder I have that doesn't seem to take momentum changes from my Power Cab are Loksound.  (I have to manually enter values into CV 3 & 4 to accomplish that.)  All others (e.g. TCS, Digitrax) I don't have that issue.

You might try cycling power to see if that works.

Tom

[Martin4]

When I try setting up a momentum value for any loco on my Power Cab I get prompted to type a value between 0 and 9. But whichever value I type in, nothing happens.

What should be done to get that work properly ?

 

Martin 4