I’m very new, i.e. never used DCC before and am getting ready to install the new EasyDCC system I purchased and try it with the MTH Erie Loco I just purchased.
In reading through the manuals, the EasyDCC says it supports all 13 NMRA-DCC functions and I can find how to select #0-12.
The manual for the Loco lists functions 0-28 though…
So, does this mean I can only use 0-12 with my EasyDCC system or is there some other way to control the rest of the functions?
Let me know if my question is not intelligible and I’ll try to provide more info.
Other than the first 5 or 6 functions, you probably won’t use any of them. For example, it’s not going to be right for a conductor to yell “All Aboard!” for a freight train.
But to answer your question: No, the EasyDCC will not be able to control the extra functions that are in the locomotive’s decoder. But if you read what those extra sounds are, I think you’ll realize that they’re ones you can easily do without.
I may not use more than the first few, but my 5 year old son would… he’s dying to hear the “all aboard” and other chatter that some of those higher ones control.
it is possible to have more than one DCC system hooked up to a layout? for example, I’m assuming if I lay out the dough for the MTH DCS system I’ll be able to control everything, but would there be a conflict with having two different systems hooked up to the layout? i’m guessing it can be done, but ?
yes. You would have to install a DPDT (center-off) switch to switch between the two. The switch one way would make the whole layout be DCS and when switched the other it would be DCC.
There are many threads here talking about doing the the same thing between DC and DCC. It is the same concept. I think you would probably easily find them by searching for “DC DCC DPDT”.
I do not have any MTH decoders nor CVPs Easy DCC, but I am certain the decoder could be re-programmed to put the sounds you want on the first functions that you do have control over. for example, I am assuming that “All Aboard” could be assigned to F1 instead of F15 or where ever it is on an MTH.
Unfortunately, Texas Zepher, that’s not the case. The DCC side of the MTH decoder does not support function mapping.
Here’s a list of the functions.
F0 - headlight on/off
F1 - bell on/off
F2 - whistle/horn on/off
F3 - Start-up/Shut-down
F4 - Passenger or freight announcement initiate and advance
F5 - All lights on/off
F6 - Engine sounds on/off
F7 - Volume (9 steps from off to high)
F8 - Smoke on/off
F9 - Forward signal sound (two toots)
F10 - Reverse signal sound (three toots)
F11 - Coupler slack sound
F12 - One shot doppler on/off
Here’s what Johnathan will be missing:
F13 - Extended start-up
F14 - Extended shut-down
F15 - Labored chuff
F16 - Drifting chuff
F17 - Smoke volume low/med/high
F18 - Single short whistle toot
F19 - Coupler close sound
F20 - Feature reset
F21 - Idle sequence 1
F22 - Idle sequence 2
F23 - Idle sequence 3
F24 - Idle sequence 4
F25 - Brake sound on/off
F26 - Cab chatter on/off
F27 - Clickety-clack sound on/off
F28 - Train Wreck sound
Just my personal opinion, the extended start-up and shut-down, labored and drift chuff, and the idle sound sequences are really worth while. The idle sequences are each designed around a particular function in an engine service facility like taking on water or lubricating the side rods. Not my cup of tea, but Kids really like the train wreck sounds. Adding the DCS system gives a lot more control over the individ
If you read Classic Toy Trains, you will find that it is apparently quite common for 3 rail O scalers to purchase multiple operating systems to run all of the various brand trains they own. Sometimes I think the high rail modelers are more fascinated by the operating systems than the trains. Mention a ZW transformer and their eyes immediately light up.
I find it odd that MTH believes HO scale modelers will be equally willing to purchase multiple operating systems for their layouts. After all the NMRA has done to standardize DCC, you would think MTH would have paid attention. Yes, one can operate the MTH locos using DCC, but no, one cannot operate DCC equipped locos using DCS. Now that I own an advanced DCC system, I will certainly not pay for a DCS system just to get a few extra sounds.
The note from MTH says they have programmed more than what is currently in the NMRA standard so that when they catch up, you’ll have a loco that already ready…
Now, whether or not that is reality???
I guess all the research everyone here helped me with on the DCC controller side was great, but little did I know how much I could be impacted by the other side of the equation
The QSI already handles the Labored Chuff and Drifting Chuff automatically, these two higher function keys are not necessary.
Basically the simple fact as I see it is you need to buy the MTH’s control system to take advantage of all of the higher functions. Half of the functions already exist in my QSI models automatically depending on my engine’s situation; with the two I listed as the top ones.
The MTH engines have automatic labored and drifting chuff as well, but the functions give you the ability to key them in manually as well. Let’s say a train is approaching a grade. The engine will automatically trigger labored chuff if the grade is steep enough and the train heavy enough. But, I get to add a level of realism as the engineer by hitting labored chuff manually before the engine reaches the grade. Like I said, it’s just my opinion, but I really like the option to manually trigger labored and drift chuff.
Hornblower is quite correct that in O-gauge people are willing to buy and operate more than one command control system. MTH has DCS and Lionel has TMCC and Legacy (just introduced). I model in both HO and O and I build layouts full time, so I own and use all the systems. There are some real pluses and minus to each market’s approach to command control. DCC offers cross compatibility within DCC, but is not backwards compatible with conventional engines. Lionel was the first to enter the command control market in O-gauge in 1995 with TMCC. TMCC actually uses the DCC command codes, but it sends the data using the rails as a low power RF antenna, rather then modulating the current frequency. This was very important for TMCC to gain market acceptance. People were not going to buy the system if they couldn’t run their collection of post-war Lionel, especially if they were limited to only 10 amps from the largest boost
The Erie is very nice and will fill the place with smoke. I have the full blown Digitrax system using a dt400r and you CAN NOT program hardly anything period on an MTH. Program track with 2 different boosters and decoder pro can not get a readout from the engine. The auto program that MTH has to set the cab numbers as the address was smooth. Momentum on CV 3-4 was a bust really. I LOOKED into getting DCS but that is not in my future, layout is just to big to play the toggle game for one engine.
MTH is very hard to get information from as far as future for DCC and us that want to tweak the product. Just enjoy what you get with the ERIE like I am and just get another DCC unit so you can tweak away. SOundtraxx and LOK are neat with there functions and QSI is rock solid with theres.
The values for CV’s 3 and 4 work backwards of most decoders on an MTH. The value entered represents scale miles per hour per second (smph/sec). Enter a value of 1 and that will give you the maximum amount of momentum.
OK I set them BOTH t “1” no effect at all. I need to check my OPS program notes and make sure I have the correct key sequence. Gee Operator ERROR what a concept!!
Finally got the Easy DCC installed. Placed the MTH 28882 Erie on the tracks, programmed the Controller and the train ran; however the was no lights, sounds or smoke. I ran through the trouble shooting steps but that didn’t help.
So, I disconnected the DCC power supply, hooked up my old DC power supply and voila, it runs with lights, sounds and smoke.
If anyone has this configuration and has been able to get the engine to function properly, I’d appreciate some advice.
I do not have any MTH locos but according to the list of functions on an earlier responce you have to press F3 to wake the decoder and F8 to turn on the smoke. Try that and get back to us.
