In the last 2.5 years since starting my first layout (as an adult), I haven't spent a whole lot of time running trains. I've had my Powercab for a little over a year. This past weekend, I put decoders in two more of my four locos. So I figured it was time to figure out this DCC thing a bit more. Last night, I tried setting up a consist for the very first time. My setup is a NCE Powercab w/ no external booster. The four locos in my little fleet include: 1) Kato Dash-9 w/ TCS Decoder UP 2) Kato Dash-9 w/ TCS Decoder BNSF 3) Kato SD40-2 w/ TCS Decoder Maersk Sealand 4) Fox Valley Gevo w/ Digitrax Decoder UP I first tried Advanced consisting, then Old Style, then Advanced again. The problem seems to be one loco runs substantially slower than the other, and it causes the slow loco to drag the consist. And the consist of two locos barely moves. I was attempting this with the two locos lashed up while they were stationary, then rolled on the power (up to 3-6). I also tried starting them not-lashed up, and they ran at different speeds, until they met & lashed, then I was back to the original problem (slow loco causing substantial strain on the faster loco). I tried a few different combinations of locos, but not all. I didn't test the SD40-2 at all. What the heck am I doing wrong? Might it help to reset each decoder, and try again? Thanks! Noah
I would have thought the two Dash-9's would run well together. You may need to speed match the locomotives. Do you use JMRI?
No. I haven't gotten that into DCC yet. Although, I do have JMRI downloaded on my Mac. Lol. I've pretty much only done the most basic DCC operations thus far. Don't I need the NCE USB port to run JMRI (like the NCE 524223)? I did reset the momentum settings to 0 on each loco address (not the consist address), and got them to consist pretty well. I mean, they run around together with no apparent problems. But like you guys said, I'd to set it up properly, and speed match. But it appears the problem I was having may have been from previously programmed momentum settings. Side DCC questions: is it smart to have a circuit protector (like the NCE 524227)? Also, can I buy a coiled cable for my Powercab? It comes with a coiled cable that works with an extra cab, but not the actual Powercab. I had the messy excess straight wire that dangles down to the floor. Thanks for the help guys!
One thing you need to be aware of - Digitrax decoders have a separate setting for Bemf compensation when in an advanced consist and when not. The default settings have it on when not in a consist and off when in one, resulting in a large difference in running characteristics when placed into an advanced consist. The quick solution is to program CV57 to a value of 102, which sets the consisted and non-consisted bemf settings to the same value.
Noah, You should consider joining the JMRI Yahoo Group, lots of good information there. I have my profile set up to receive a Daily Digest that send me an email at least every day. Since I have a DigiTrax system, I went with the PR3 to connect my laptop to either the programming track or the layout. I would assume that your NCE command station has a built-in circuit breaker and you can verify that with the quarter test. Unless you plan on multiple operators running on your layout, I wouldn't think you need anymore than that.
