I picked up a used Like-Life Proto 2K E8/9 Burlington CB&Q #9948B at a train swap. It is an older P2K E8 with opening side doors and without the DCC ready plug but it was modified and had DCC installed. Its definately my smoothest running engine and it hauls at top speed. I loved the way it runs enough to want a companion for it. I bought a new P2K E8/9 w/ DCC and Sound factory installed (newer chasis without opening side doors) but found it didn’t run quite as smooth nor have near the performance or top end speed.
I figured the older models may have been better performers than the newer ones. I finally found two older DC only P2K Burlington E8s, #9942A & #9943A. Unfortunately I found these two perform slower than my DCC w/ sound model. This newbies question, what could be the difference and what could I do to improve my latter engines performance to near the performance of my first one?
1.) Could running 2A & 3A DC with my EZ-Command result in slower performance?
2.) Could 8B have enhanced performanced because of the DCC board installed on it? Could I nearly match 8B with 2A &3A if I upgrade them to DCC?
3.) Could 8B have enhanced perrformance (higher speeds throughout and much higher top speed) because of adjusted CVs?
4.) If I could modify the CVs on my newer DCC w/sound E8 could I nearly match 8B?
5.) Any other ideas on how to enhance performance?
The quick answer to your problem is, install decoders into the 2 new units (2A & 3A) and then speed match all 3 (2A, 3A and unit w/DCC & sound) to match you best runner so they can be consisted in any combination.
Now depending on what decoders are in all 4 units will dictate the CV’s that need modified so be sure to check any documentation you have on the decoders being used. My best suggestion for quick speed matching is adjusting the start voltage (usually CV2) the mid range voltage (usually CV6) and the high end voltage (usually CV5). For more complex speed matching you get into speed tables.
Place them on a long straight-away and match 2 of them, then add the next afterwards, be sure to test all 3 speed stages (low, mid, high).
However if it is any constilation to you, I own aproximatly 26 P2K GP7’s and 9’s plus the 2 E8’s and I have them all converted to DCC. Every single one runs differently, and they all use the same kind of digitrax decoder. So naturally I matched them all to the one that runs the best so they can all be consisted at anytime in any combination.
On the 2 P2K E8’s they are with mars lights and I installed decoders in them and then speed matched them both as I run them end to end consisted all the time.
Thanks Dano, that does help. I was hoping that the modern technology of DCC would help out. Unfortunately my EZ-Command doesn’t read or edit CV’s, but when my experience level and budget expand (for Digitrax or the like) I’ll hope to try to speed match. I’ll probably attempt the first step in converting the engines to DCC soon.
Currently my best runner can match the top speed of my others at only about 50% throttle.
1b.) Could my slower performers likely not be able to achieve that same type of speed?
2b.) Could my best runner likely be setup in such a manner that it could be over exerting itself and thus be reducing the engines longevity?
I think once you have all of them converted to DCC and get things set up so you can change the CV’s to speed match them, you’ll find they all run together great and you shouldn’t have anything more to worry about.
1b: once you get a decoder in them and speed match them they will run exactly the same
2b: It is possible that the person who programmed it set the CV’s high but as for longevity, anything with moving parts wears over time. But not that fast, really I wouldn’t worry about it unless your high-balling all the time.