Qualifier: I am just a few months into Z and trying to come up to speed on some of the basics in this scale. I ran DC only in both HO and N which made for some interesting MU tests (speed matching locos, as much as one can, in DC). My post is primarily so I don't start out with any bad habits. Question 1 - DC MU Operations What makes/models of locos have been tested and are known to run well together? Other DC MU suggestions? Question 2 - DCC MU Operations Should one standardize on one brand or down to one model of decoder for optimal operations? Does this matter? Can you control speed independantly via the available DCC decoders - or are MU operations similar to DC, but you can control lights, etc. with DCC that is not possible with DC. Other DCC MU comments? Question 3 - What you run... Please share with us your MU operations - types of locos, decoders (if applicable), etc., and other comments. Thanks in advance to all!
Well, I have found that you cannot MU a GP35 equipt with Lenz Gold Mini decoders with ones sporting DZ123 decoders, or DZ123 with DZ143 even, as the 123's run faster. You'll see, and so will the naysayers after they try it, as each decoder seems to have different speed profiles even on same locos. You need to use Decoder Pro to tune the speed tables to match better, and it is not so quick to do. It's fun to fiddle with though. I like to only MU like models with like decoders now.
But they do seem to run compatibly if you "old school" Consist them. True, I was never able to Advance Consist either a 123 and 143 or even two 143's, two NCE Z14 or combos on the NCE system and ZERO responses on the NCE of Z-DCC forum so it must be me Old school baby.
Graves, 1) search for posts about running together. In general, the new AZL SD series run slowest, the MTL GP's and F7's run some what similar but not quite and the Marklin's run the fastest (F7 or steam) 2) You can mix and match but it really depends on functions. If you want to simply run DCC together, turn the front light on/off, mix and match. If you want advanced features (by adding extra wiring and LED's), then the 4 function decoders are best (DZ143, NCE Z14, etc.). 2 and 4 functions don't seem to mix and match well when consisted but if you want to run independently, have at it ! You can control the speed of any loco independently and if you don't like any one's response, you can tweak it in two ways: simple Min/Mid/Max settings (default) or 28 individual speed table settings. Sheesh. So any two can be speed matched at any speed. In MU, the functions are remapped. When you over-ride say the Front headlight, only the Lead loco responds. When you go from Forward to Reverse, only the Lead loco's front light and the Rear loco's rear light alternate. Now ain't that cool !!! 3)Please see #1 I've had a bear trying to program the Digitrax on the NCE Command Station thru the Pro Cab. While it has really easy prompting for programming, there always seemed to be something not right. Part of that is that there are some CV's for each vendor that are specific to their function/features that are not NMRA "standard" and I think the NCE Pro Cab is trying to program the default ones which not all of the Digitrax are. Plus, there are a lot of conflicting values and text in the various decoder pages and manuals from Digitrax. It took a few attempts and patience to ferret them all out but I have them all working now, most thru the NCE Pro Cab but a few are noted that must be changed by direct CV programming. As for the NCE decoders, very compatible with the NCR sytem and, a brainer to program as they are not trying to be a decoder that does every nuance like the longer on market Digitrax decoders.
So it sounds like DCC at this point isn't quite the panacea for MU'ing locos that everyone thinks it is. Randy
I have another question about mu with dcc. Its it better to run the engines with same address or with different addresses.
It don't make any difference really. It's easier to run them with the same address because you don't have to make a consist, but sometimes you want a locomotive facing backwards in the consist, so in that case you need to use the consist instead of all with the same address.
Rob's no-brainer single address has it's limitations, similar to Old-style consisting. However with Old Style, 1) as Rob points out, you can have one backward without physically rewiring the motor. 2) the lights [and sound if you have it] are the same in all locos. 3) there is a lag in control as each address's packet is sent. With Advanced Consisting, you can assign each loco's direction and the lights [and sound] function only on the forward and rear loco (e.g. when 3 or more are connected).
