Speed table for Atlas decoders?

[Anonymous]

Anybody know of a source for alternate speed tables for the built-in Atlas DCC decoders? I just got a H16-44 off eBay, and the Atlas decoders don't support the "quick and dirty" 3-step speed tables (CV-5 and CV-6) that decoders from Digitrax and others support, so the only way to modify the loco's performance is to change the 28-step speed table.

I could experiment until I get it set to where I'd like it to be, but it would make life a lot easier if someone else out there has already programmed some alternate speed tables, say for a switcher or a local freight/road engine, that I could use as a starting point.

Thanks in advance!

[coal drag]

Progam it via computer (likeRailroad & Co, etc...). Once you program via computer you'll never go back. Speed curves are basically point and shoot. Real easy.

[cacole]

Are you sure the Atlas decoder will accept alternate speed tables?

If it will, here is an alternate speed table from a North Coast Engineering decoder booklet. I am listing the CV number and decimal value for each speed step.

67=2; 68=5; 69=7; 70=12; 71=16; 72=21; 73=26; 74=30; 75=35; 76=40; 77=47; 78=51; 79=58; 80=65; 81=72; 82=79; 83=84; 84=93; 85=100; 86=112; 87=121; 88=135; 89=147; 90=161; 91=177; 92=196; 93=219; 94=255

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by coal drag

Progam it via computer (likeRailroad & Co, etc...). Once you program via computer you'll never go back. Speed curves are basically point and shoot. Real easy.

Eventually I do plan on getting DecoderPro and a USB LocoNet interface, but that's still a bit in the future. I agree, though, that computer will be the ultimate way to go.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

Are you sure the Atlas decoder will accept alternate speed tables?

If it will, here is an alternate speed table from a North Coast Engineering decoder booklet. I am listing the CV number and decimal value for each speed step.

67=2; 68=5; 69=7; 70=12; 71=16; 72=21; 73=26; 74=30; 75=35; 76=40; 77=47; 78=51; 79=58; 80=65; 81=72; 82=79; 83=84; 84=93; 85=100; 86=112; 87=121; 88=135; 89=147; 90=161; 91=177; 92=196; 93=219; 94=255

Yes, the Atlas decoders have the 28-step speed table. What they don't have is CV-5 and CV-6 for quick tuning of the mid and high range. The Digitrax decoder manuals have recommended CV-5/6 settings for various types of engines, such as a switcher, local freight and mainline engine. I'm trying to sort-of duplicate that in the Atlas.

That table is pretty close to the Atlas default, but I'll give it a go and see how it works. Mainly, I'm just playing with programming, as this is my very first DCC-equipped loco. I've got some Digitrax decoders on the way for my older engines, so I'm using this one to learn on. Thank goodness for master reset CVs. [:D]

[ClinchValleySD40]

That's why I replace all the Atlas decoders with good ones, I really like Vmid and Vmax for setting speeds.

[cacole]

Don't forget that you must also change Bit 4 in CV29 to tell the decoder to use the alternate speed table instead of the default. You do this by adding 16 to whatever value is in CV29. For example, if you want to tell the decoder to use a long (4-digit) address, user loadable speed table, operate on DC or DCC, use 28/128 speed steps, and run in the normal forward direction, you have to add the values of Bits 5 (32), 4 (16), 2 (4), and 1 (2), for a total value to program into CV29 of 54.

CV29 values are as follows:

Bit 7, Value 128: 0=Multi-Function Decoder; 1=Accessory Decoder
Bit 6, Value 64: Not used
Bit 5, Value 32: 0=Short Address; 1=Long Address
Bit 4, Value 16: 0= Built-in Speed Table; 1=User Loadable Speed Table
Bit 3, Value 8: 0=Advanced Acknowledgement Disabled; 1=Advanced Acknowledgement Enabled
Bit 2, Value 4: 0=DCC Operation Only; 1=DCC or DC Operation
Bit 1, Value 2: 0=14 Speed Step Mode; 1=28/128 Speed Step Mode
Bit 0, Value 1: 0=Forward Motor Direction; 1=Reverse Motor Direction

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by clinchvalley

That's why I replace all the Atlas decoders with good ones, I really like Vmid and Vmax for setting speeds.

I'll probably do that at some point, but for now my decoder budget is going towards decoders to retro-fit my 11 or so existing locos.[:)]

Actually, after poking around on the web and checking out documentation at the various vendor sites, it looks like the Atlas decoders are built by or licenses from Lenz -- Lenz's documentation for their decoders looks suspiciously similar to Atlas's.

[cacole]

Yes, it's been widely publicized that the Atlas Master DCC system is built by Lenz, as are the Atlas decoders; however, the Atlas Master and Atlas decoders are downgraded and cheapened versions of Lenz DCC products, so you can't rely on a true Lenz decoder's manual to be applicable to the Atlas version.

[Anonymous]

I knew the Atlas Master DCC was by Lenz, and should have figured the decoders were, too. Atlas has half-way decent manuals on their web site, which is good since the one-page DCC sheet that actually comes with the engine is relatively useless. But even there, they only talk about the speed table defaults, without actually saying anything about suggestions for modifying them.

Well, no big deal. Two Digitrax decoders for Kato just arrived, so I'll have some new toys to play with for a while. [8D]