I have an Atlas GE-8 and I am having trouble consistig it with a proto U28b. Both have sound. The U28b does not run as smooth in consist as it does alone. Also can a MRC prodigy advanced show scale speed? I am clueless on both of these issues.
the first thing I will ascked is. Are the two engine going the same speed. They need to travel at the same speed or your going to have problems. What I do IS take the two engines and space them apart and get them to chase each other and adjust the cv on one loco so it travels the same speed as the first one. when they are going the same speed then you can consist them.
As for the MRC question I cannot help you. sorry. I run NCE PH PRO
I have two Kato SD70Macs that do not run at the same speed (I have done the above “chase” test). They work OK in a consist but I am sure one is running harder than the other.
I also have an MRC PA and I have yet to learn how to adjust the two locos. I am too busy on the layout still.
Hope to hear from others too.
Peter
You guys have all brought up a slew of questions here, and answering any of them probably requires more information than you’ve given, but here are some things to try…
First off, it sounds like you are all using the MRC PA. This system uses Advanced Consisting, which means the consist information is stored in the decoders. Because of the way different manufacturers decoders work, some will run differently while in a consist, while others will seem unaffected. For example, Digitrax BEMF equipped decoders have a CV that allows you to adjust the BEMF intensity for normal and consisted modes of operation separately. You will need to do some research using the documentation that came with the decoders you have in order to figure this out most likely, but chances are this is where some of your problems reside.
The other side of this equation is the mechanical part of the locomotive itself. Some locomotives have different gear ratios, and even locomotives that are the same may run differently due to break in time or other issues. Ideally, consisting locomotives that run similarly will consist fine without much work. If you want to consist two locomotives that don’t run the same, you can use the motor voltage or speed table settings in the decoder (most newer generation decoders have this cabability) to alter the performance of the locomotive.
While going into all the facets of speed table programming here doesn’t make much sense, remember just playing with the start voltage (CV2), the top speed voltage (CV5), and the mid point voltage (CV6) will probably get the locomotives close enough to run together nicely. Only in extreme situations have I ever had to modify the speed table to get decent results. Just keep in mind programming motor voltages or speed tables to match different locomotives can be time consuming, but if you plan on running them together often, it’s time well spent… [:D]
Good luck guys!
Jeff
Thanks to all!!
[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by jnichols
You guys have all brought up a slew of questions here, and answering any of them probably requires more information than you’ve given, but here are some things to try…
First off, it sounds like you are all using the MRC PA. This system uses Advanced Consisting, which means the consist information is stored in the decoders. Because of the way different manufacturers decoders work, some will run differently while in a consist, while others will seem unaffected. For example, Digitrax BEMF equipped decoders have a CV that allows you to adjust the BEMF intensity for normal and consisted modes of operation separately. You will need to do some research using the documentation that came with the decoders you have in order to figure this out most likely, but chances are this is where some of your problems reside.
The other side of this equation is the mechanical part of the locomotive itself. Some locomotives have different gear ratios, and even locomotives that are the same may run differently due to break in time or other issues. Ideally, consisting locomotives that run similarly will consist fine without much work. If you want to consist two locomotives that don’t run the same, you can use the motor voltage or speed table settings in the decoder (most newer generation decoders have this cabability) to alter the performance of the locomotive.
While going into all the facets of speed table programming here doesn’t make much sense, remember just playing with the start voltage (CV2), the top speed voltage (CV5), and the mid point voltage (CV6) will probably get the locomotives close enough to run together nicely. Only in extreme situations have I ever had to modify the speed table to get decent results. Just keep in mind programming motor voltages or speed tables to match different locomotives can be time consuming, but if you plan on running them together often, it’s time well spent… [:D]
Good luck guys!
J
Jeff, that is not entirely accurate.
According to the MRC web site’s information on the Prodigy Advance, the system is capable of using both universal and advanced consisting. http://www.modelrectifier.com/products/trainSound/product.asp?ID=1659&Subcategory=Prodigy%20DCC
Perhaps if BigBlueConrail tried experimenting with the two types of consists he might using one or the other will solve his problem. However, I think it would be better if he adjusted the CVs that control speed/acceleration so that both locomotives run in tandem.
While you are correct, I don’t consider a command station supporting one “old style consist” as MRC likes to call it, true universal consisting so I usually ignore it. This is more akin to the double header feature that Lenz uses rather than fully supported universal consisting like the Digitrax command stations (and others) support. Because of this limitation, I assumed they were consisting using the method the system supports completely. So let me correct my post:
When consisting, pressing the Consist button repeatedly will bring up different options on the LCD display and should toggle between “Cons SET” and “oLd SET”. Cons SET is the advanced consisting and would apply to the problems I described in my original post, and oLd SET would have a unique set of problems (potentially anyway).
Thanks for the correction… [:D]
Jeff