I have the digitrax Zephyr set and the DT400 throttle and I was wonder how i would be able to MU locomotives facing opposite directions, if it is possible.
It’s possible to do that. I don’t have DCC yet so I can’t tell you exactly how you would do that.
-dekruif
You’ll have to get the digitrax manual out, but yeah, you can do that.
With NCE it’s very simple, as you program in the consist, you enter the loco address for each unit in the consist, and then you enter which direction the loco is facing in the consist: F for forward and R for reverse. You may also be able to select which headlights come on (or stay off) when changing direction.
okay
thanks man,
ill try it out!
Rebige,
It is certainly possible. First you have to change the ‘normal direction of travel’ CV29, on the loco that is going to be run backwards. Then just follow the directions for your Zephyr or DT400.
I generally change CVs, if its only one or two, with my Zephyr and confirm the setting at the same time. Then I MU the locos on the DT400.
Remember to remove the second loco from the MU and dispatch it when you are done.
Give it a try, you will be surprised at how easy it is.
Here’s how I do it on my Super Chief with a DT400. I would imagine the Zephyr handles it the same way:
EDIT: This is “command station” consisting. You do NOT need to change any CV’s for this method of consisting!
1 ) On the DT400’s right throttle, select the loco you want to be the lead loco in the consist.
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On the DT400’s left throttle, select the trailing loco. Be sure it’s set to run in the same physical direction as the lead loco. Let’s say the lead loco is facing forward and is set to go forward on the throttle. If the trailing loco is facing the opposite direction, you’d want it set to reverse on the throttle.
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Press the MU button to get the flashing “+ add” and “- delete” display
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Press + to add the second loco.
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Control the consist with the lead loco’s (right) throttle.
HTH,
Steve
Yes - do NOT change any CVs, there is no need. Simply set the direction switch to make each unit run in the proper direction BEFORE adding it to the MU. All locos in the consist will then travel in the same physical direction, even if a couple of them are actually facing backwards.
It’s a bit easier with a DT400 because you have the two throttle knobs, but it works exactly the same way with the Zephyr console.
–Randy
As others have said, normally you do not need to change CV29. But, (there is always a but) if you assign more than one loco the same address you might need to change the normal direction of travel bit in CV29.
I have a pair of SW1500’s and a pair of SD40’s I use in my yard for classification and trimmer duties. Both sets share a single address…meaning the SW1500’s use address 1500 and the SD40’s use 7240 (each has its own decoder). I did this to reduce the number of slots used by my Zephyr command station (only supports 10 addresses). I have both sets coupled back to back. Meaning the cabs are at either end. For this to work, I had to set one of the SW1500 and one of the SD40 CV29 bits that controls normal direction of travel (NDOT) to reverse. This is only because I chose to use on address for more than one loco. You might also change CV29 value if you run a loco long hood forward. But that has to do with the actual direction you want that loco to run (for what ever reason). My reason was because I wanted to use one address for to loco’s that would be coupled long hood to long hood back to back.
This is all explained in the Zephyr manual. If you read it and think about what they are trying to tell you it all makes sense. Took me awhile…heck I am still learning all of the advantages digitrax can provide…I probably use 3% of its capabilities.
Normal MUing is much easier with the DT400. I pretty much do all my MUing with it and then “dispatch” the MU’d units via loconet if another throttle needs them (like my kids). MUing on the Zephyr was always a pain in my opinion, but the DT400 solved that.
Hope that helps,
Mike
modelmaker51,
Nice needless shot against Digitrax while promoting your own DCC choice. No, you don’t need to refer to the manual with Digitrax MU’ing, as it’s almost the same steps as you describe with NCE.
1). You enter the “top” loco on the DT400’s right throttle and select it’s direction (they have little arrows to indicate direction on the DT400).
2). You then enter the next engine in the MU on the left throttle and select it’s direction.
3). You then hit “MU” then “+” and you’re done.
Repeat step 2 & 3 for more MU locos.
Does that sound like something you need to use the manual for?
BRVRR,
What in the world are you talking about? I have used a Z w/ DT400’s since they came out, and I’ve never had to program CV29 to MU loco’s together. And I operate my 25’ x 50’ HO layout with three people on an almost weekly basis.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
I have a couple of engines with low-end TCS decoders. They will not go into a consist in the reverse direction, only forward. Since only my TCS decoders behave this way, and all my other decoders behave normally, I have to conclude that the decoders just don’t have that feature. I suppose I could resort to the CV29 thing, but I prefer to just put those engines in front and put my Digitrax-equipped engines behind them. FYI, I’ve got a Lenz system.
He wasn’t taking a shot at digitrax, its a fact that most of the time you will be referring to the manual when using anything digitrax. I don’t recall ever seeing a thread asking how to consist with an NCE setup, i could be wrong though.
SunsetLimited,
It sounded like a shot to me, especially considering the context. Here we have a thread titled “Digitrax MUing”, and the original poster was asking questions about his Digitrax Zephyr system with his Digitrax DT400 throttle (all emphasis by me).
So what does modelmaker51 do? Why, he says that “You’ll have to get the digitrax manual out…” And then goes on to say how “…very simple…” it is with his DCC choice, NCE. Now why would he do that? Why would he go out of his way to say that with Digitrax, you need the manual, but with NCE it’s “very simple”? It certainly didn’t answer the original question now did it?
What would lead any DCC user to go into a thread that’s about a system that they don’t have? Isn’t that a tad strange? Unless it’s to take a shot at another system.
Oh, and a nice shot by you, as well. “…its a fact that most of the time you will be referring to the manual when using anything digitrax.” That’s not a “fact”, that’s your opinion. Most of the time, one isn’t doing odd things with any DCC system, just running trains. Are you telling us that to run a train with Digitrax, you need the manual? Gimme a break.
Do you think that maybe the reason there is so many “how to” Digitrax threads is because they are the most popular DCC system in North America?
And why is it one doesn’t see Digitrax users taking shots at other DCC systems, but we see non-Digitrax users frequently take shots at Digitrax? Sort of like how you never see PC Magazine take shots at Apple, but MacAddict has cartoons mocking Bill Gates in almost every issue.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
This is the kind of utter un-substantiated opinion that is in no way “A fact”. I just don’t understand why NCE users have this smug kind of attitude towards Digitrax equipment. I have run my Digitrax equipment along with my 9 and 7 year old boys for close to 3 years. The manual is in a filing cabinet where it stays. Not that it really matters, but just last month there was a thread asking how to consist on the Power Cab. Once you have learned to do anything on any of the DCC systems most people can accomplish these things without needing to look at the manual. They are all darned good DCC systems. At any given point in time one manufacturer may be ahead of another. Digitrax hit a serious home run by introducing the Zephyr and providing an entry level DCC system that was affordable. NCE has finally caught and introduced a very competetive entry level system. Digitrax had rock solid simplex wireless for several years while NCE was struggling with coverage problems with their 2 way wireless. By all accounts they have this sorted now with repeaters etc.
Each of the manufacturers offers fine equipment backed by decent support. Each has feature sets that appeal to different users. Each has a price point that appeals to different people. This notion that somehow one system is way superior than another is pointless.
Not an expert by any means. I’m currently doing a four unit consist, and one thing my Guru at the LHS mention is you want to check and make sure each loco runs the same speed for a given throttle setting. Something about setting up or ajusting the speed tables. He sort of lost me, but the point was that you ideally need to have each loco running together pulling the load, not having one loco running a bit faster and dragging the other loco (s). Did I explain this ok??? He told me to do this on my test track (which he also suggested I set up for learning/programing and such). I ran the four loco’s with about a foot of space between them on my oval test track and in less than one loop around the track (4 x 8), you could EASILY see that out of the box they were all running a bit different (they were all purchased at the same time, same manufacture, and are powered F-7 A/B sets). After seeing this, I’m thinking it really is a good idea to get them all running in tandem and not working against each other. I want to pull bigger trains with more engines, not smaller!!
tstage is one NCE user that never throws cheaps shots at other DCC manufacturers.
It would be nice if we could all be as well mannered as he is.
Indeed very true, Tom is one of the real gentlemen on this forum. A poor choice of words on my part, it just gets a little irritating after a while the constant repetition of “You need the manual to do anything” when there are clearly many very happy Digitrax users who have no problem operating their systems.
Thats not a FACT. I’ve been using Digitrax products for 3 years now and I haven’t touched a manual since the first month I’ve owned my system. Once you do something a couple times then it becomes very SIMPLE to operate.
Paul3,
I run several units AA, AB and a few ABAs on the same address to conserve slots. I change CV29 when MUing them to another loco because I though I had to to get the arrangement I wanted. It might not be right but it works.
I learned something on this thread today though. I didn’t realize that just changing the direction arrow on the DT400 would accomplish the same thing. I will give it a try. I guess it pays to read and reread the manuals on occasion. Thanks to all. Thanks Randy.
BRVRR,
Just remember with the DT400 throttle, when the arrow points to the right (towards the front of the little steam loco icon), the engine will run forwards provided you’re decoder is properly set up for “F” being forward (each loco usually has a small “F” located on the frame or carbody to show which end is forward). Obviously, if the arrow points to the left, the loco will run backwards.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven