I am using a Lenz 100 System with mostly Digitrax decoders. Double Heading is working fine if speeds are close. MUing locos run super super slow and then with BEMF off just super slow. MUing For Dummies. ------------------------------------------------------ How close do you speed match? At all 28 speed steps? Match speeds vs. Loco or the Clock? 2 Locos or a Loop and a Stop watch? BEMF Off? On? CV 2,5,6 or Speed tables? Thanks, Loco1999
Loco1999: Set up a speed table for both loco's. You can also use CV 2, CV 5 & CV 6 but make sure they correlate to the CV values in CV 66 to CV 94. Stay cool and run steam.....
What are the potential consequences of not running "matched" locos? with or without DCC? I can see what might happen if I put a slower or faster one mid train but if both engines are coupled what could happen? Thanks
Steve: When two or more loco's are properly speed matched, it provides for smoother operation of the train. This can be done very easily with DCC and it requires more effort with DC. Stay cool and run steam......
Is this a trick question or something? I just connect the MU hose between locos and let technology do the rest
Can you do cv 2,3,4,5,6 and adjust the trims? Or do you do the 28 step speed tables the same for two locos and just adjust the trims? ( change cv29 first? ) Do you have to type in all of the cv's or are those default values already there? Should I be using a level test loop for speed matching the locos? Thanks, Loco1999
To set up the speed curves, type in all the CV values and adjust the trim BTW CV 2 is equivalent to CV 67 CV 5 is equivalent to CV 94 CV 6 is equivalent to CV 81 CV 3 and CV 4 adjusts acceleration and deceleration. They aren't incorporated into any the CV's between 67 & 94. When you set up custom speed tables you have to adjust CV 29 accordingly for custom speed tables. The above is for Digitrax decoders. You can run the loco's about 3-4 inches apart on your layout or on a test loop. I do it on the layout. Stay cool and run steam....
Thanks Bob. I will try when I get a block of time. Should I try the values from .... http://www.digitrax.com/v1/28steptab.htm It seems a little overwhelming. If you want to computer program these is there a long cord you can use like a network cable? Thanks, Loco1999
Loco1999: I try to keep CV 94 to a maximum of 175. CV 81 is in the 85-100 range. When you mu two loco's CV 2 or CV 67 might have to be bumped up to the 50-60 range to get them both moving. It's all about adjusting the values. Once you have an idea of the starting value, the rest is easy. Each CV is then an increased value over the preceding CV. You have to play with the numbers to see what works best for your loco's. Each loco is like a fingerprint. There are no two loco's the same. If you do it by hand, the entire process takes about 5-6 minutes. Just write down what you programmed for a speed table for each loco . Stay cool and run steam......
This might help. Since you use Digitrax decoders I load the default speed table then use CV66 and CV95 to adjust the speed for matching. Saves me time loading all the CV values. Sometimes I need to add a bit of CV65 for kick start but it seems to work pretty well. I have run consists of two U25's, a C628, C630 and a couple of GP30's without a problem. I can tell when I have it just right, when they are running on level, no load and the couplers just float together, no real pull or push. Try it, it's fast and easy.
One more thing, when I get them to run that close in speed I don't bother to turn off BEMF. No need, there is no "fighting" between units.
Thanks for the help. I tried the default values for 65-95. I set cv 29 to a value of 50. Then I adjusted 65,66,95. The locos ran ok at speed 8 but are still not matched. At speed 16 they are way off. What can I do about this? What do I do with 2,3,4,5,6? Thanks, Loco1999
Loco1999: You have to adjust the values for both loco's from CV 81 and up. CV 81 is speed step 14 out of 28 CV 2 is equivalent to CV 67. CV 5 is equivalent to CV 94 CV 6 is equivalent to CV 81. Set CV 2, CV 5 and CV 6 to the same values as CV 67, CV 94 and CV 81. That will help you solve the speed matching problem. CV 3 and CV 4 can be adjusted after you get the speed curves adjusted. Stay cool and run steam.....
Thanks Bob. I can see how it works now. My tunnel motor is tough to do, It loses power a bunch and makes the process impossible. The SD-50 I am matching it to is showing me how it should work. I think the problem with the tunnel motor is the decoder shorting, It does not happen with the shell off. Thanks, Loco1999
Loco1999: With a Lenz decoder, the scenario is different. You have to use a custom speed table. Lenz decoders don't support CV 5 & CV 6. Stay cool and run steam....
Loco1999: Place some kapton tape over the top of the decoder to insulate it from the shell. See if that helps you. Stay cool and run steam.....
"Place some kapton tape over the top of the decoder to insulate it from the shell. See if that helps you." Great, it worked!!!!! How about an old SD-50 (fast motor) where you set the 28 speed steps and sometimes it jumps on step 7 but sometimes on step 9? I thought it was time for tuning the cv for step 9 but sometimes step 7 is fine and sometimes it jumps. Any Ideas? Thanks, Loco1999
Loco1999: When you set up the speed curve for the loco, set the speed step values for 6, 7, 8 and 9 at an increment of two. So if speedstep 6 is 40, 7 is 42, 8 is 44, 9 is 46 and 10 is 52. The jumping is caused by too much of an increment in values between speed steps. Try lowering the increments for the old high speed motor. See if that works for that loco. Stay cool and run steam.....
Thanks for the info, it helps. I am using cv 67 - 94 as speed steps 1 to 28 ( 4 to 31 in doc). 1 14 2 16 3 19 4 22 5 25 6 35 7 40 8 42 9 43 10 44 The problem happens on 7 or 9, Going to 9 is high, If I lower 1 it equals 8 Then 8-1 is low. Problem going from 6 to 7 is 50/50. Ok on a newer slow speed engine are increments of 4 to much? (This is a too slow running tunnel motor.) Thanks, Loco1999
