If I wanted to double head lets say 2 SD35’s using DCC, and one had sound, what would it take to make them run properly together. Would it be as simple as changing/matching the start voltage, how would the rest of the speed curve get matched up?
I dont have DCC yet but will very soon.
I am in the same boat. Just waiting for my first DCC loco and yet to buy the DCC gear. So not an answer, but an addition to the question.
I will want to double head with one loco running cab forward and the other running in reverse. How easy is this to do?
Let the DCC gurus go to it.
bush9245, I have read most of the online manuals for this and it does not seem too dificult.
You should have no problem if you are using DCC as you always have full track voltage, you may have to alter speed tables if they aren’t closely matched to stop motors straining against each other. You can select locos to run in reverse in a back to back consist by programming the decoder to make it run in reverse, should be in your systems instruction manual.
Analog running.
If you try running the same two locos on Analog the sound equipped one will need 4-5 volts before it moves off as it uses this to power up the sound. Consequently it needs a more gentle touch on the throttle as the full speed range is controlled by say only two thirds of the turn of you control knob.
The one with a plain decoder will operate like any other non equipped loco starting at approx 1-2 volts and using the full range of the dial to control the speed so it will start first and not match the curve of the sound one.
One of the hardest things about DCC is programming. I HIGHLY recommend buying a Locobuffer (to connect your computer to your DCC system) and download JMRI decoder programming software. It greatly simplifies programming in a visual/graphical manner,
David
Thank you for your responses, I cannot say enough as to how much I enjoy the replies to my queries. I ordered a Procab today and look forward to learning the ups and downs.
If you get a programming unit like David suggests register on yahoo JMRI users they’ll sort out any problems for you. I have sorted a lot of my questions just reading the posts on there, it took a while to figure out the verification in the log on but once you’re in it’s very useful. The page displays on a PC are much easier to use than working out all the bit numbers using my DCC cab to program.
On DC, sound equipped units (like QSI) use a lot more power than a standard DC engine, so it’s pretty hard to run sound and non-sound together. On DCC, the two engines should run about the same speed right out of the box. You might need to tweek the CV’s on one to get them to run together, but otherwise it should be no problem. On my layout, I’ve found when getting two engines from the same maker (Iike two Atlas GP’s) that I usually just have to adjust the momentum and highest speed settings a little to get them to run together very well.
BTW programming decoders is very easy IF you get a decoder with good instructions. Although they don’t have Back-EMF (i.e. cruise control), I found Train Control Systems decoders to be the easiest to work with. TCS gives you a sheet showing every CV, and what number to put in to get what you want. With Digitrax, you basically have to buy a book from them to find out what the CV’s are - and even then, it often comes down to guesswork.
I have a Stewart F3 A & B set with a powered A and dummy B. I had been asking around if adding a sound only decoder in the dummy B (in addition to a full function sound decoder in the A) would would give the B a ‘voice’ of its own thus improving the sound of the consist. The response I got from people I asked was there was not much difference because the speakers would be so close together and it was not worth the extra cost. Based on this, I am planning on a full function sound decoder in the A unit driving 4 good sized speakers in the B as discussed in Alan Gartner’s Wiring for DCC Site.
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/sound.htm