I have been using a Digitrax, Empire Builder, for about 5 years now. I finally bought some
quality engines, Proto 2000, and I can’t seem to set the CV’s for MUing. When I set CV 3 to
25, CV 4 will also change to 25. This is true for CV’s 2,5,6 the address will remain at the set
value. What am I doing wrong??? I had been using Atheran BB before and
never had a need to change CV values before. I have done several searchs but did not find
an answer. Thanks for any help you can give me.
t-whistler
What throttle are you using, the DT400, DT300, or DT100? Maybe DecoderPro? Which mode are you using to program? If you supply as much info as possible, it makes it easier for someone to help you. You can also join the Digitrax User’s Group on Yahoo, and check the archives.
I am using a DT 300 throttle and am trying to set CVs in the run mode. Nothing will happen under the operations mode. I have not tried Decoder Pro
t-whistler
First, I would do this on the programming track. It’s just easier to deal with that way, and you don’t run the risk of accidentally doing something that affects other locos at the same time.
If these engines run OK, you should be able to MU them without messing with CV’s. CV 2 is start voltage, and CV’s 3 and 4 control acceleration and deceleration rates, respectively. They should be completely independent of each other.
I would not try to do any CV changes while the engines are MU’d, by the way. There may be some strange side effects, and it wouldn’t surprise me if something odd happened based on which direction the engine goes in the MU.
Which command station do you have? DCS100 or DB150?
David
I run the Super Chief DCS 200 with DT400 throttles.
Your CV’s remind me vaguely of trying to speed match one engine with another. Is this what you are trying to do?
The Empire builder does not have read back CV ability, if you are able to use the Decoder Pro you probably will be able to “see” everything at once.
My F units are mu’ed with one unit having direction reversed, horn disabled and light off. This is pernament along with the B units horn, lights off as well. If I should have to reverse an AA or similar consist the other unit’s light is turned on manually once I have control.
My NW Units are more problem matic, they are set for direction only and one unit horn disabled. However both units show lights in proper direction which may not be exactly what I want yet trying to figure out the CV’s on the bit level.
When consisting steam engines I disable light, horn on the helper. To me this is a little easier than trying to program CV’s.
All programming is done on a peice of track away from anything else, one unit at a time.
The other CV is NOT changing. The SUper EMpire Builder cannot read back CV values, so when you program CV3 to 25, and then select CV4 on the throttle, the previously used value of 25 is still displayed ont he right side of the throttle. That is NOT the current value of CV4.
–Randy
Randy has it. When you change the dialed CV, and then twiddle the right hand knob on the throttle to see what value it is, unless you also press “enter”, the value that was set at the factory, or the last value programmed, is what that CV will still have when you press “exit”.
So, go back and dial in the CV, twiddle to read the right hand knob value, and then press “enter”. Exit programming, and you are in business.
Thanks for all the advice, Randy, Selectro, and Safety Valve. Now maybe I can do some MUing with some of my engines. I will try setting some CVs tonight when everyone leaves after being home for Mothers Day. Some day I will have to try Decoder Pro. Thanks again guys and I will let you know what happens.
Del