New at DCC continued

[lesterperry]

A few days ago I posted a new at DCC topic and got some replies saying I would love it. Well I am haveing some minor problems figuring it out but I like it so far. It does definatly operate smoother as I was told. I only have one DCC loco out of about 50 so I have a long way to go. The biggest problem is the loco wont move until I get 45 on the controler and runs at speed at 100. I need to get it set to start at 0. I guess I will figure it out eventually.

[jfugate]

lester:

What system did you get? That way, those of us on here who have that system can be of especially good help.

[lesterperry]

MRC prodogy advanced

[jfugate]

I'm assuming you also have an MRC decoder in the loco, or is it some other brand?

Those on here with a Prodigy Advanced system should be able to help. I don't happen to have one, so my advice may be of more limited help.

You should be able to set the starting voltage or set speed steps in the decoder what will alter how the loco runs. Maybe the Prodigy owners on here can describe how that's done with the system.

[cacole]

It sounds like your decoder needs to have its start voltage, acceleration rate, and deceleration rate CVs reset. Try setting CVs 2. 3. and 4 to a value of 4. CVs 3 and 4 adjust the momentum effect in the decoder, so if your locomotive starts up too slowly with a value of 4 in the CV, or coasts too much after you turn the throttle off, try reducing the value in increments of 1 until it performs to your liking.

[lesterperry]

QUOTE: I'm assuming you also have an MRC decoder in the loco, or is it some other brand?

It is a BL decoder factory installed. This is the one that got me to go DCC for sound.

[selector]

Lester, I set my BLI Hudson at a value of 40 for CV 2. Yours will probably be different in value when you are finally happy with your loco's response to commands. CV 2 is the one that sets the voltage at which the loco begins its slowest crawl...the strat voltage. That should eliminate the winding up of the throttle to 10 and beyond before it begins to move.

As cacole stated, CVs 3 and 4 are for inertia and momentum, respectively. The train wants to remain inert upon start-up, so it is slow accelerating. As in CV 2, my CV 3 value is near 40. Same for CV 4, which is the momentum of the loco and train wanting to stay in motion once it has gotten to speed, even though you are trying to stop.

Edit- P.S.- I am using a Digitrax Super Empire Builder, but both of our systems subscribe to NMRA codes and standards, so there should be little difference....I hope.

[lesterperry]

Well I stopped the loco with f9. Now I can't restart it. I get sound but no motion, light won't come on whistle won't work. It has died on me. Funeral services Tuesday @ 4:00 PM

[selector]

Take it off the track, pull the cover off the tender, pull out the black box-like jumper, and put the train back on the track. It should power up in reset mode. Remove it, replace jumper, and recover the tender. Replace on the track and program all your CVs again.

[NZRMac]

Lester F9 is the shut down, like nite nite for trains at the end of the day!!

It's normally a double push of F9 to the disconnect mode, then F9 twice again to standby, then F9 twice again to total shut down.

Start up in the morning is F6 twice thru the same stages as shut down but turns it all on.

My BLI SD40-2 the shut down is cool even hear the engineer close the cab door.

Ken.

[lesterperry]

IT WORKS While preparing for the funeral I gave it one last attempt. It runs. actually I was calling Tonys Train, where it (the MRC ) was purchased and when thay answered the phone it took off running. MAN THEY ARE GOOD. So as of now the funeral is called off.

[selector]

Threats and blue-streak language....yup, does it for me every time.

Actually, not long ago I had the same difficulty because I programmed the CV values into my CVs in the wrong mode and lost everything on all locos....dead silence. I tried hard reset (using the jumpers) and got nada. Went to bed completley confounded and discouraged. Got up next day, powered up the system, and both steamers hissed and chugged, and would have wagged their tails if they'd had 'em. [%-)]

[jfugate]

Sometimes a good reboot will solve a lot. In the computer world where I work, shutting down and powering back up is one debugging step that you learn to try if nothing else seems to be working.

If all else fails, before you scream and holler, throw the throttle across the room, or call tech support -- power down the system, wait a minute or so, and then power it back up.

Amazing how many problems that often will solve. [swg]