Marcus’ NCE DCC for Everyone. No pictures in this version. More DCC stuff at my Main North HOME

Topics in blue are web pages and won’t print in DCC for Novices. Topics in italics are future Topics

 

DCC is for Everyone.	Sound Decoders.	Wiring & General.
Introduction	General	See Allan Gartner’s Wiring for DCC
DCC is for EVERYONE.	General instructions & programming	Wire size, current rating.
What is DCC?	Speakers and mounting	Attaching Droppers to Power Bus
Why go DCC?	Adding a sound decoder	More shorts in DCC - NO.
DCC has got Easier in 5 years.	Sound Resets - Why & Fix	What’s a DCC Friendly Turnout?
Books on DCC.	Individual program Dual Installs	Do you have to make all your your Turnouts DCC Friendly-NO
DCC for Existing DC layouts	DSD sound only-Use 100 ohms
How to connect to a DC layout	Program DUAL Decoder Installs	What is the Coin Test
Look for these features	“Noisy” Soundtraxx decoders	When to add a booster.
	Test for motor buzz/hum	Add an Ammeter to the layout
Programming.	Sound Locos on the Program Track	DCC Meters.
DCC Programming	The Sound Decoder ‘problem’.	Measuring Track Voltage using NCE
Configuration Variables - CVs		Power & Cab Bus Terminators
CV 1 - The Short Address CV		Twisting the Power Bus - Why
CV 7 & 8 Decoder make & version	Soundtraxx – Tsunami & DSDs	1156s for Power Division
CV 17 & 18 Long Address CVs.	Using DSD/TSU for sound ONLY	C/Breaks not resetting & Sound
CV 29 Decoder Configuration	Tsunamis on DC Setting Up	Short Management-C/B or 1156
The address- What does it mean	Tsunami Playable Whistle & NCE	Runaways Why - What to do
Programming - why & what is it	Horn/Whistle Volume LOW.
Program Track - Service Mode	Decoder Selector for Soundtraxx
On the Main – POM Operations Mode	My method of setting up Tsunamis
Programming after fitting decoder	Speed Matching Tsunamis etc
Programming the Address of loco		Decoder Pro.
What happens during a CV Read	QSI	Decoder Pro- What is it.
Basic programming of a decoder.	Programming QSIs Indexed CVs	Decoder Pro 2.4x Manual  > 8.0 MB
What is ‘CANNOT READ CV’	Change the Address of a QSI loco	Animated Demos of Decoder Pro
Address of DUAL decoder install	Resetting QSI decoders	Getting the COM Port right - PCs
Program DUAL Decoder Installs	QSIs Resetting on layout Power Up	Checking USB Adaptor operation
	Setting the AD60 Headlights.	Getting the Port right - Macs
	Adjust Volume of QSIs by CVs	Debugging Dec Pro Installations
		List of Decoders at Decoder Pro
	NCE Specific Information - System.	Decoder Pro for Power Pro
Installing Decoders & Gen info.	How about a video visit to NCE?	USB to Serial Adaptor for Dec Pro
Decoder Selection & Installation	Manuals – Systems, Decoder etc	Decoder Pro for  Power Cab
Current draw of locos	Power Pro Current EPROM – Mar07	Using NCE Monitor to Check Dec Pro
Use Slipping not Stall Current	Procab Frozen Display & no control	Speed Matching with Dec Pro.
Decoder types/sizes	The system doesn’t start up.	Dec Pro without reading a CV.
NCE decoders at NCE.	The Emergency Stop button.	Dec Pro HELP for Power Cab/USB.
Left & Right Rail in DCC	C/S Battery Flat-What happens	Troubleshoot Dec Pro for NCE.
NMRA DCC Ready Plug	Power Pro C/S EPROM Version	Reading QSI CVs & Decoder Pro
Loco goes the wrong direction	Cab Bus wiring & Wall Warts	Tsunami Format Change Notes
Why doesn’t the loco go?	RJ12 cable connections.	Copying Roster between computers
Reset - Why and how.	Power Cab Best Entry Level sys	WiFiThrottle with iPhone & Dec Pro
Reset for QSI locos.	Expanding the Power Cab
Identify unknown decoders	Power Cab Software Version No.	Great DCC sites, Groups etc.
Functions & Outputs.	Details of 2004 EPROM Upgrade	Mark Schutzer
	Power Pro Box 2/4 Pin Connectors	Mark Gurries
	CMD STN Mod to read Sound CVs	Silicon Valley Line
Motor Control		Joe Fugate’s great DCC videos
Speed Steps	NCE Info - Cabs/Throttles.	Marcus’ NSW Main North in DCC
Speed Tables	Cab Addresses for ALL throttles	Join Yahoo Groups- great info
PWM for motor voltage	Change Cab Address	Yahoo Model Railroad Groups
Motor Fine Tuning.	Resetting Throttles	Microsoft Outlook for email
Back EMF	NCE’s Momentum Button	2011 NMRA Convention Clinics
Back EMF & CVs - Don Fiehmann	NCE throttle modifications
Compare Back EMF T/C & Dither	Throttle Keypad repairs	Choosing a DCC system.
Top Speed - Why lower in DCC.	Current Software Versions Nos.	Choosing a DCC system
My 30 MPH Max Speed Table	Selecting F10 to F28 & Status	The best entry level DCC.
	Function Standard – Mine.	Intro NCE & DCC at Tony’s
	Horn/Whistle does not go OFF	NCE Systems Quick Comparisons
	Draft Version of Mini Panel Manual	The best option for Clubs
Lights & Resistors	Cab06 showing incorrect address	Club Members  – Use Power Cabs
Using LEDs & Incandescent		NCE features for comparison
Lighting Effects	NCE Radio	NCE Flexibility & Full Feature
Function Mapping	Operating with V1.5 Radio.
Headlights in a Consist - NCE.	Battery Consumption with Radio	Power Cab – NCE’s “Entry Level”
LEDs Connecting to decoder.	Battery Types for Radio Throttles	Expanding the Power Cab System.
Resistors for LEDs & Lamps	Procab Screen Back Light Time	Program Track with SB3a
Resistor Colour Code Chart	Identifying V1.5 Radio Throttles	Using TWO Power Cabs
	NCE’s V1.5 FAQs	Radio for the Power Cab system
	Marcus’ V1.5 Radio FAQs	Upgrading the Power Cab to Radio
Consisting.	Mark Gurries’ Radio Hackers Guide	JMRI USB Interface/PCab Limitation
Consisting - Types	Cab04 Adjust Time Out Period	Using Circuit Breakers with P/Cab
Consisting with NCE, it’s easy.	Radio does NOT Start Up	Using Auto Reversers with P/Cab
KILLED Consist & one loco DIDN’T	Cab Addresses for Radio Throttles	Power Cab Starts but no DCC power
Speed Matching for Consists.	Setting the RB02 Layout I.D.
Speed Match ALL Locos 30 MPH	RB02 V2.0 Upgrade	Clubs/Associations of Australia
Consisting with Back EMF	Identifying RB02 V2.0 Upgrade	Australian Model Railway Mag.
Headlights & Functions in Consist	Internal Antennas – Mark S’s pdf	Australian Model Railway Assoc
Headlights in a Consist - NCE.	Cab04R External ON/OFF Switch	NMRA Australian Region.
Operation of Functions in Consists	Cab On Board Charger – Mark S
Consisting with different brands		Printing DCC for Novices.
Consisting with Back EMF.		Click here for details
Bankers on my Main North

 

DCC is for Everyone.

 

Introduction.

 

During Oct 06, there was discussion on the NCE DCC Yahoo Group requesting a book along the lines of the “xxx for Dummies” series of books and asked if there could be a DCC for Dummies or a similarly titled book to address issues that a newbie or novice DCC user would have, that don't understand all sorts of things electrical etc and the jargon that sometimes is necessary to solve some of the new issues.

 

I thought the user manuals that came with systems and all the components, answered so many of the questions asked. On the 15 or so model railroad Yahoo groups that I belong to, there are many questions that repeat themselves due to the steady growth in new members. All these groups just get bigger as people see and reap the benefits of sound and DCC on their ever growing model railroad empires that provide a much more satisfying operating experience. Model trains are now MUCH more fun, now.

 

Later in the month (Oct 06), I had a very comfortable, non pain 5 day hospital stay that caused me to miss the NMRA Convention here in Sydney Australia. I took my laptop and decided to start to put together “DCC for Novices” that I hope will help a few modellers. Something I would not have done if I was at home. Being a one fingered typist and of average comprehension ability (I should have been more serious at high school all those years ago in the 60s), what I get onto these pages may not be grammatically correct and free flowing, hopefully will have the technical content, necessary to answer any questions asked.

 

I purchased my NCE DCC radio system in Feb 03 after using a local DC Command control system, Infocom, so independent train control is not new to me. I am still learning about my NCE DCC system and I don’t use all the features of this great DCC system that just continues to get better, if that's possible. NCE releases Command Station Upgrades regularly (EPROMS), that provide enhancements to the system eg the great new 2004 Consisting method of double ended loco addressing etc and fixes to any bugs that get past the beta testers that become evident due to many modellers demanding operating experiences and Jim Scorse's relentless desire to make it the best DCC system. Thanks Jim and the team at NCE.

 

Thanks to Mark Gurries, Rex Beistle, Don Vollrath, Mark Schutzer, Den Lippert and others for all the great informative replies on the NCE Yahoo Group list, that answer so many of the questions. I am staggered at their input and I am always learning.

 

DCC for Novices is aimed mainly at NCE users, as I know a little about the NCE system but nothing about the others. I can see how hard it would be to write a DCC for Dummies type of book for all the systems, because many of the questions asked are system specific. Systems are being enhanced with more features and better ways of doing things (look at the way Consisting is done now). A requirement for a continually updated book would be impossible. There are many general topics for all. Now I am committed to the web book, Ill have to update it along the way.

 

If anyone has a question, that the answer would be valuable to others, please let me know and I will include it in these pages.

 

Hope you enjoy DCC for Novices and hopefully it answers some of your queries.

 

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DCC is for Everyone.

 

DCC is for ALL existing DC layouts and layouts of any size, not just for new and large layouts. Now is the time to connect DCC, its much easier now. Just connect DCC and have so much more fun.

 

NCE’s “Entry Level” system, the 1.5 Amp Power Cab at US$189.95 (Tony’s $149.95) Aug 2010, makes this so much cheaper than the Power Pro, and is a “full blown” DCC system, in the palm of your hand with most of the features of the 5 Amp Power Pro. 

 

With the availability of RTR DCC locos complete with sound and cheaper DCC Entry Levels systems, it has never been easier and cheaper to install DCC on any layout. All those stories you've heard about re-wiring the layout and modifying points/turnouts may not happen on your own layout. Just get DCC connected and see what ACTUALLY happens.

 

Imagine how an owner of an existing DC layout that operates free of any major problem, would feel, when told by us DCCers, or what he reads in the DCC books, sees on the chat groups etc, that if their wiring was smaller than 12 or 14 AWG, they would need to rewire their layouts. Not many DC layouts are wired with anything this size. Also to have trouble free operation at points/turnouts, all these should be made DCC Friendly. Any interest these DC owners had in DCC, would soon disappear. They would feel that DCC is a big joke. They would rightly say I’ll be happy with DC if that's what it takes to have DCC. They would be robbed of all the benefits of DCC.

 

While I thoroughly agree with using thicker wire, so that the system can sense a short, this depends on the size of the layout, the length of the Power Busses and the DCC system used.

 

The effect of global shutdowns of the layout when there is a short at the Points/Turnouts should be assessed for EACH layout and can only be done AFTER DCC has been connected. You may only have the occasional short that may be very tolerable. Modifying all your installed Points/Turnouts for this, is plainly too much effort for only a small gain and certainly not necessary before you connect DCC. Anyway any problems found, you can fix them later at a time that is suitable and convenient to yourself, in the meantime you're reaping the benefits and having fun with DCC.

 

See below how to easily connect DCC.

 

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What is DCC.

 

Digital Command Control is where a decoder (receiver) with its own unique address, is installed in every loco, between the loco’s Pick Ups and the motor, to tell it how to operate. The address, speed, direction etc, of a loco, is selected on the throttle and is combined with power from the system and sent to all sections of the layout. Only the loco with the address “match”, will move while all the others, remain stationary.

 

To achieve this level of independent control, does require extra expense and in a lot of cases effort (installing decoders), but the benefits of operating a layout with DCC, will soon be realised.

 

A simple analogy is: In DC you control your layout and in DCC you control your loco/train.

 

The extra level of realism that DCC provides, is in every ones reach now, with the availability of many reasonably priced RTR DCC locos (fitted with a decoder), many with sound and cheaper entry level DCC systems. Wiring up a DCC layout is easier than DC, no need for any electrical blocks in many situations and DCC can be installed on any existing operating DC layout, see below how to.

 

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Why go to DCC.

 

As a DC owner/operator, would you like any of these features when operating your trains on your personal or club layout?

 

• Easy individual loco control.
• Operation more typical of the prototype.
• No block controls and no more “Who's got my train”.
• Easier wiring.
• Better motor performance by tuning your locos.
• Walk around capability.
• Sound in your existing locos.
• Lights effects that can be selected off/dim/on and at a constant intensity and on even when the loco is stationary.
• Do you want to operate trains and not your layout.

 

If you answer yes to a few of these, then DCC is for you. The benefit that each modeller gets from DCC will vary, depending on the:

 

• Type of layout he is operating - shunting/operations or mainline running.
• Size of layout.
• How he operates it from one central point or walk around.
• What effects he wants out his locos - lights, sounds etc.
• The amount of locos operated.

 

DCC is not for everyone. Some model railroaders are happy watching trains go around the layout and don’t consider operation as a part of the running session. What someone sees as a priority, others may not? It is all about choice.

 

There are hardly any choices with DC but DCC has many.

 

I have mentioned some of the benefits of DCC, and YES they do come at a cost. These include:

 

• Purchasing a DCC system starting from $100.
• Purchasing a decoder for each operating loco depending on type - non sound or sound.
• Increased price of a RTR loco with the addition of sound or a chip.
• Time and effort to fit decoders to each loco.
• Yes I can hear you say, “I’ll have to fit decoders to all of the 200 plus locos that I own, that’s going to cost me heaps”.
• Don’t think of it like that. How many of those do you operate now? Fit decoders into your favourite locos that you run now.

 

Talking about installing decoders in all your locos, I operate a medium sized walk around double deck layout (approx 30 feet x 30 feet) with 25 locos. So now how many do you have to chip? Fitting decoders to locos is so much easier now. The size of decoders is getting much smaller, more features and cheaper. A small HO decoder is the size of your thumb nail. How easy will this be to fit?

 

Manufacturers are now providing locos that make it all that easier to go DCC, when purchasing new models. They are:

 

DCC Ready locos that have all the loco wiring terminated (for HO) with a NMRA 8 pin socket that makes installing a decoder really easy. Another benefit, there is room for the decoder and this is important if the loco is manufactured with a large weight and many are these days.

DCC Equipped locos that come with a decoder already fitted and ready to run. There are manufacturers making RTR sound locos, for example Broadway Limited in the U.S. and Eureka Models in Australia. These locos are the best. When the installation of the decoder and/or sound is done by manufacturer, it is so much cheaper. In my Eureka Models AD60 Garratt, supplied with sound, it cost extra A$90. This is a lot less than the Soundtraxx Tsunami decoder and speaker that I would have to purchase (A$165) and I did not have to spend hours, fitting it and grinding some weight out to find room for the chip and speaker.

 

Once you have operated on a DCC layout, you will find the restrictions in DC, hard to put up with.

 

Playing trains is only a part of this wonderful hobby. Some modellers spend a great deal of their hobby hours building beautifully detailed models, while others make wonderful scenery etc. There still is only 24 hours in a day. DCC is NOT the only way to control a layout, but it has been said, In DCC you operate your loco, whereas in DC you operate your layout.

 

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Things have changed since I went to DCC, in April 03.

 

These things have changed and will make a huge difference in going DCC. Now is the Time. The below list items, will make you DCC adventure cheaper, easier and above all, more fun especially with the availability of RTR sound locos and sound decoders.

 

·       DCC systems have become cheaper.

·       Many DCC manufacturers offer entry level systems. Eg. NCE’s Power Cab can be purchased for US$139.95.

·       Decoders are cheaper, smaller in size for easier installation and offer more features and function outputs.

·       Decoder current determination uses slipping current instead of Stall current, enabling Z scale decoders in HO locos.

·      These small 1 Amp decoders like the NCE Z14SR and the TCS M1 can be located between HO steam locos driving wheels, allowing separation of tender and loco for better handling and easy installation. Good for club operators.

·       Locos of the latest designs (last 15 to 20 years) only need about 200 300 mAs of current.

·       Manufacturers are producing DCC RTR locos.

·       Many RTR locos are available with sound. Sound provides a whole new dimension to your layout.

·      The availability of these RTR, means users that feel they don't have skills to fit decoders, now can have DCC.

 

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Books on DCC.

 

There are four excellent DCC books available from hobby shops and the Internet. The first 3 are published by Kalmbach Books.

 

• DCC Made Easy by Lionel Strang.

 

• DCC Projects and Applications by Mike Polsgrove Model Railroader DCC Corner fame.

 

• The DCC Guide by Don Fiehmann

 

• Digital Command Control - A comprehensive guide to DCC by Stan Ames, Rutger Friberg and Ed Loizeaux.

 

Any of these books are suitable and certainly worthwhile for new entrants into the DCC. These books explain what DCC is about, in not too technical terms. Included are descriptions of the DCC systems components including: Command Stations, booster, throttles etc, how to wire up a layout, how to install a decoder etc.

 

The latest (late 2007), The DCC Guide by Don Fiehmann, is thoroughly recommended.

 

Digital Command Control was written by members of the NMRA DCC Working group that implanted certain Standards and Recommended Practices (R.Ps.), that are necessary for the continued success of DCC. What these Standards & RPs gives us is commonality at the rails. In essence, this allows ANY DCC system to control ANY brand of DCC decoder.

 

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Connecting DCC to existing working DC layouts no need to rewire the layout or modify your points/turnouts.

 

While writing some new pages for DCC for Novices, I thought about two recent converts to DCC that I know about. Both of these model railroaders, along with many others, have well established operating DC layouts with wiring that is nowhere near the standard that is promoted and recommended by all, including me, for DCC. This recommendation is NOT for the actual running of trains (a loco draws 100- 300 mAs) but because a 5 Amp short on all sections of the layout has to be sensed by the Power Pro’s booster, to remove power from the short.

 

The catalyst for both of these modellers going to DCC was the introduction of a sound loco (a 620/720 or an AD60 QSI equipped model of our local NSW Australian prototype) on their DC layouts. They soon realised that sound brings a whole new dimension to their layouts. Their interest in the hobby has been rekindled and they are having fun, more than ever before, just like a kid with a new toy. Now they wanted sound for their existing favourite DC locos. One of the modellers, I fitted Soundtraxx Tsunami decoders to two of his C36 4-6-0s. He wants more sound. They were bitten, “big time” by the Sound Bug. After operating the Tsunami, they both asked, how hard would it be to connect DCC to their layouts, to get the most of the Tsunamis and QSIs.

 

Connect an Entry Level DCC system like NCE's US$140 Power Cab to the layout, by switching all the mainline blocks to one Cab, say Cab 1, disconnect Cab 1 from the layout and connect the Power Cabs track connections to the Cab 1’s layout side connections, taking less than 30 minutes.

 

The Power Cabs current (Amps) capacity of approximately 1.5 Amps and this will operate 2 to 3 sound locos at the same time. Enough power for a single operator home DC layout with the capability for a second operator using any of NCE’s standard throttles, irrespective of the size of the layout. It’s not the size of the layout that determines the capability of whether a system is “big enough”, it is the AMOUNT of locos that are RUNNING at the ONE time.

 

No layout re-wiring and making their points/turnouts, DCC Friendly, is/was necessary.

 

It’s that easy.

 

See below for using a 5 Amp Power Pro system.

 

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Re-wiring, DCC Friendly Points/Turnouts and DCC for existing DC layout.

 

This topic is about helping existing DC owners to convert their layouts to DCC, so they can enjoy the benefits of DCC with the minimum amount of fuss. This is possible if we don't scare modellers off and explain the options.

 

There has been plenty of discussion about these two topics. For building a layout from scratch for DCC, yes wiring with the correct gauge wire is essential. Making your points/turnouts DCC Friendly prior to installation is recommended.

 

For an existing DC layout, providing this, may be impossible or at best, very difficult to achieve.

 

Imagine how an owner of an existing DC layout that operates fault free to their standards, would feel, when told by us DCCers, or has read in all the DCC books, that if their wiring was smaller than 12 14 AWG, they would need to rewire their layouts. Not many DC layouts are wired with anything this size. Also to have trouble free operation at points/turnouts, all these should be made DCC Friendly. Told this any interest these DC owners had in DCC, would soon disappear, they would feel that DCC is a big joke. They would rightly say they’d be happy with DC if that's what it takes to have DCC. They would be robbed of all the benefits of DCC.

 

I will try to explain, you can make going to DCC easy or as hard as you like.

 

• The easy way, just connect DCC and operate less than 30 minutes and this will work for almost all existing DC layouts.
• The hard way, re-wire your layout and rip out all of your points/turnouts and make them DCC Friendly. It may not be necessary.

 

Why is it suggested to re-wire a layout?

 

In DCC a 5 Amp booster supplies the current to operate ALL the locos/trains on the whole layout, where as in DC, the DC Cab only supplies the current for one train approximately 1.0 Amp. A short on any layout creates heat and the current has to interrupted to reduce the chance of any damage. A short in DCC with a 5 Amp system will create approximately 60 watts and in DC approximately 15 to 20 watts. For obvious reasons in DCC with this much heat, it is paramount that the booster can sense a short.

 

The requirement of heavier gauge wiring on DCC layouts is not so much to run trains, but so a booster can sense the short. Thinner wire has higher resistance value (ohms) per foot than thick wire. Depending on the size of the layout and the gauge of the wire used, the resistance of the wiring may prevent the booster from tripping and removing the power to a short. A short left un-noticed may cause serious damage.

 

What should an existing layout owner do?

 

Most shorts on a layout happen at the points/turnouts and many are caused by running into an incorrectly set point/turnout. This is operator error. The benefit of making your points/turnouts DCC Friendly will vary, with each layout. Shorts at these same points/turnouts happened in DC, but in a lot of cases, went un-noticed or the loco had a slight hesitation. Depending on how many shorts will be sensed in DCC will depend on types of wheels being used (may be plastic), if wheel sets are in gauge, the track alignment etc. These shorts may be tolerable for one or two operators.

 

My recommendation is connect DCC and see what happens. You never know until you try your layout with DCC. You might have two or three shorts for a whole session. Does this warrant all the effort required to make your points/turnouts, DCC Friendly.

 

For the re-wiring issue, your layout wiring may be ok. A 1.0 to 2.0 Entry Level system like NCE's Power Cab works slightly different than the 5 Amp Power Pro.

 

My recommendation, connect the system of your choice to the layout, but for a 5 Amp Power Pro prior to operating any trains, carry out the Coin Test by placing a coin or a metal object across the track on ALL sections of the layout and if the booster cuts out then all is ok.

 

If the booster doesn't cut out, wire up the Power Pro with an 1156 in series with one track feeder as shown below. This will restrict the current to approximately 2.0 Amps but the booster will never shutdown, removing power from the layout. A strategically placed 1156 will provide a great visual indication of a short that will attract someone's attention.

 

Understanding the issues will have you enjoying the benefits of operating your layout in DCC in less than half an hour. Addressing any problem now can be done at your leisure and you never know, they may not create the hassle that was perceived, prior to connecting the layout to DCC.

 

Many thanks to Joe Fugate, the DCC 1156 pioneer, for showing us how to use the trusty old incandescent lamp to solve a “high tech” problem. It’s not the first time in DCC that an old lamp saved a new issue.

 

See other topics in DCC for Novices to help you in your DCC experience.

 

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Look for these features when choosing a DCC system

 

Listed below are 10 of the most important features I have found, when using my NCE DCC. See how many of these are found in the other DCC systems. Your level of priority will be determined by the way you operate and the type of layout you have. You may not understand what these features are while researching DCC, but many DCC users agree that a lot of these features are important to them, also.

 

1. An entry level option that provides nearly all the features of its more expensive 5 Amp big brother.
2. Clubs with NCE Power Pro setup, each member would need to purchase a throttle. Purchase a Power Cab for operating trains at the Club and it’s a complete DCC system at home.
3. 4 digit addressing that is so much easier to remember the loco number, the one on the side of the locos cab.
4. Easy to set up consisting and double ended addressing, by using the loco number, not the two digit Consist Address – CV 19.
5. Easy two button presses momentum programming that allows easy changes from main line running to switching.
6. Programming on the Main POM that the can be done ANYWHERE on the layout with the supplied full featured throttle.
7. A throttle that is not part of a control panel and is centrally mounted will provide 15 feet of walk around capability out of the box.
8. An easy to upgrade system with plenty of options and supports radio control.
9. A computer interface option to operate programs like Decoder Pro.
10. Total flexibility.

 

The throttle is your interface to the trains, so the most important criteria when selecting a DCC system is, what does the throttle feel/operate like to.

 

Try these tasks on your short list of DCC systems throttles. Compare the ease of doing the below operating tasks:

 

• Select and run a loco/train including operating the Whistles/Horns, Lights etc.
• Set up a Consist, operate it and then “Kill” the Consist.
• Do some programming using the Program Track.
• Try “On the Main – POM” programming. Once used this will be your preferred method of programming.

 

Don’t make you decision on price alone. The cost of the DCC system is only a part of the DCC “experience”.

 

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DCC Programming.

 

One of the first terms you will hear when someone talks about DCC, is programming.

 

Not to be confused with programming a computer that many don't want to do or understand anything about, programming in DCC is just “adjusting” the decoder to fine tune the motor performance, selecting a particular light effect, changing the address, configuring the system etc with what are called “Configuration Variables – see next topic. Do not be put off by this term programming.

 

All decoders and RTR DCC locos come from the factory with default values for every CV including operating on Address 3 (CV 1 default value). A new “out of the box” DCC equipped loco, or a decoder that you’ve installed into a loco, will work on #3 and will provide more than adequate performance, without any need of programming, just select 3 on the throttle and the loco runs.

 

To get independent control, you’ll now have to do your first bit of “programming”, you’ll have to change the “address” of at least one of your locos. Using your Power Cab or Power Pro Manual follow the instructions on how to change the address on the Program Track or “On the Main”. Usually the address of a loco/decoder is the number (up to 4 digits) of the loco, on the side of the Cab.

 

After a short period of time operating your new DCC system, the “black magic” of DCC, will no longer be an issue and you will see that you can fine tune your locos, something that could not be done in DC, by programming. Now programming will be an asset, instead of something that is feared about with DCC.

 

Programming can be as simple or as complicated as the user wants it.

 

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Decoder Configuration Variables - CVs for short.

 

At the heart of each decoder is a microcontroller that deciphers information from the DCC track voltage to control the decoder’s Outputs e.g. Motor, lights etc and how the decoder is configured e.g. Address number, operate on DC etc. To adjust how the Microcontroller performs it’s “job”, is done by programming the decoder’s Configuration Variables, CVs for short.

 

For example in NON Back EMF decoders, the delay of the loco to move off at start up, as soon as the throttle is turned, can be reduced or eliminated by programming CV 2 with a higher value. Similarly a locos top speed can be reduced by programming CV 5 with a lower value. 

 

Configuration Variables for all decoders are grouped in the following categories: 

 

• Mandatory. These CVs must be implemented in order to conform to the NMRA's Recommended Practice (RPs).
• Recommended. These are strongly encouraged but not mandatory.
• Optional.  These are at the manufacturer's discretion.

 

See the NMRA Standards page for the CV lists. Not all current CVs are listed, as decoder manufacturers are always adding their individual CVs to control their particular features.

 

To comply with the minimum NMRA Standard, all decoders must have the Mandatory CVs that are CV 1 the Short Address, CV 3 and CV 4 the momentum CVs and CV 29 the configuration CV. This minimum standard makes it possible that ALL decoders can be operated by ANY DCC system commonality at the track.

 

The basic CVs are discussed below.

 

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CV 1 – the Short Address CV.

 

The “two digit” Short Address, in the range of 1 to 127 for NCE, is stored in CV 1.

 

Addresses in the range of 128 to 9999 are stored in CVs 17 and 18.

 

All decoders and RTR locos “out of the box” will have all their CVs at the factory values (default). This will provide adequate running etc and the decoder (loco) will operate on the Short Address of “3”.

 

A decoder that is not responding correctly or not at all, can be reset to factory settings (default), see each decoder’s Manual to see how to reset them.

 

Note: The Short Address is typed “3” not “03” or “003” or “0003” For NCE, placing a 0 in front of a 1, 2 or 3 digit number (1-127), makes it a Long address.

 

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CV 7 and CV 8 - the decoder manufacturer and version CVs Essential for Advanced Programming.

 

These two CVs provide details of the decoder and cannot be changed. Some decoder manufacturers use the CV 8 to reset the decoder. See the section on “Resetting a Decoder”.

 

CV 7 - Version. This displays the version of software installed in the decoder.

 

CV 8 Manufacturer ID No. This displays the manufacturers Identification number. The NMRA list here will correlate the number to the manufacturer. This along with CV 7, the version number will allow you to identify a decoder. Especially useful when trying to identify a loco that will allow you to visit the manufactures web site and download the applicable manual.

 

For example, for an NCE decoder CV 8 shows 11 in CV 8 (NCE’s Manufacturer ID number is “11”) and CV 7 shows 33, indicating decoder software version 3.3. This version does not have Torque Compensation (CVs 116 and 117), whereas version 35 of the later decoders, does. So no point trying to set CV 116 and 117, to fine tune the motor control in a version 33.

 

Fine tuning the motor, setting the Light Effects of the decoder’s outputs and Function Mapping CANNOT be done, without referring to the manual. All manufacturers use different CVs to control these features. There is no point guessing.

 

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CVs 17 and 18 the Long Address CVs.

 

Since decoders can have an address between 1 and 9999. Addresses in the range of 128 to 9999 have to be stored in two CVs.

 

• CV 17 for the High Byte of the 4 digit address.
• CV 18 for the Low Byte of the 4 digit address.

 

For example when you need to program a loco with a Long Address, this can be done by either programming modes:

 

Using the Program Track, use “1=STD” option

Using “On the Main – POM” mode, use “1=STD” option.

 

For both modes of programming all that has to be entered is the actual loco number and the Command Station will automatically work out the applicable values for CVs 17 & 18. For example for an address of “4836”, the system will program CV 17 with “210” and CV 18 with “228”.

 

There is what I consider a complicated method of working out the values of CV 17 and 18 for a particular address that can lead to mistakes that I have seen on the Yahoo groups in programming a loco that resulted in the loco not moving after programming. In the event that you need to find out the values of CV 17 and 18, program the desired address into a loco using the above methods and then reading CV 17 and 18 on the Program Track using 2 = CV option. Alternatively use this CV 17 & 18 Calculator

 

Programming the long address of QSI locos using POM may be unsuccessful and if you try to read CVs on the Program Track you may get the CANNOT READ CV message. See the topic on Programming the locos address and what does CANNOT READ CV message mean?

 

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CV29 - The Configuration Variable CV – CFG

 

This is one of the most important CVs in the decoder. This is where you set up what you want the decoder to do and which address to respond to.

 

At the 3 = CFG option you will be prompted for:

 

• The Direction Normal or Reverse. Note this is the electronic way of reversing the direction of the motor if the loco goes in the wrong direction, after the decoder has been installed and it is too hard to reverse the motor leads. If the decoders read value is an even number, add 1, if the value is an odd number, then subtract 1.
• Analogue (DC) on or off. NCE and many other decoders DO NOT operate correctly on DC unless the DC is PURE DC. That is without any form of pulse control. This rules out most DC controllers. To prevent runaways that happen on some layouts, setting DC to OFF, reduces the chance of runaways. I suggest you always set DC to OFF in CV 29.
• Whether to use Internal or External Speed Tables. Internal speed table are made with CV 2, CV 5 and CV 6 or using a selectable pre-programmed speed table, loaded in the decoder. External (Uploadable) Speed Tables comprising of CV 67 through to CV 94, you can add any value to each of these CVs to make your own speed table. A convenient and easy way to do this is to use Decoder Pro . See also motor fine tuning.
• Which address the decoder should respond to, either the Short (2 digit) or Long address (4 digits).

 

If you ever need to program CV 29 at the 2 = CV option you have to know the value of your combination above. Some values are:

 

• 34 = DC OFF, Normal direction, Internal Speed Table & responding to the Long Address.
• 38 = DC ON, Normal direction, Internal Speed Table & responding to the Long Address.
• 50 = DC OFF, Normal direction, External Speed Table & responding to the Long Address.
• 54 = DC ON, Normal direction, External Speed Table & responding to the Long Address.

 

For all the combinations, see the decoder and the system manuals.

 

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The Address - What does it mean and types?

 

To allow for individual control in DCC, each loco has its own decoder, that is programmed with its own unique address, normally the loco road number. To operate that loco, the address is entered into the throttle with whatever the operator wants the loco to do (command). This address and command, form what is called a “DCC Packet”. The booster adds power to this packet, which is then transmitted to all parts of the layout. All decoders (locos) are listening and only the decoder with the matching address responds to the command.

 

It is this matching address scenario that gives DCC, its individual loco operation.

         

Most decoders now come with three types of addresses:

 

• The short 2 digit address. For NCE addresses 1 to 127.
• The Long 4 digit address. For NCE addresses 0 to 9999. Note: For NCE, placing a 0 in front of any 1 or 2 digit number makes it a long address.
• The Consist address. The Consist Address and Short Address are shared, using the 1 to 127 range. So there may be some conflicts here, just be careful.

 

In most cases, DCC users use the Long 4 digit addresses to control their locos, e.g. 3801, 5335 etc. Use the short address for operating locos like the Austrains NRs e.g. NR52 NR60 NR109 etc.

 

There are times when two or more locos may intentionally move at once - consisting. See the notes on consisting later.

 

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Programming Why and What.

 

A decoder is programmed to adjust how the microprocessor, the heart/brains of a decoder, what it responds to and how it controls its outputs, the motor, lights, if applicable, sounds etc. For a DCC system and its components, they can be programmed to be set up each system or component like a throttle, in different ways, to best suit the individual. Working with the system manual, will provide all the options and what to program to give these features. What can be programmed for the decoders and system, are:

 

• Decoders:
• Assign a unique address for each decoder for independent control.
• Configure the decoder by selecting numerous parameters in CV 29.
• Fine tune the motors performance. This includes CVs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 116, 117 etc for NCE decoders. Also the use of Speed Tables and their associated CVs. For other brands see their relevant manuals.
• Selecting the headlights and any other lights to the users desired effect that range from Rule 17, dimmable, on/off, reversing, mars, beacon, gyra, strobe etc. See the relevant decoder manual.
• Sound decoders have many adjustments like volume, chuff rate, bell, whistle/horn selections, etc sounds. Sound decoder manuals are very comprehensive.

 

• The DCC system and components:
• Cab (throttle) addresses. The same reason each decoder requires a different address, so do throttles.
• Cab Parameters.
• Command Station parameters.
• Other system adjustments.

 

In the event of something going wrong when programming, the user may think that he has damaged the decoder because the loco does not respond. No damage is done, the decoder is just confused. Normal operation can be restored by resetting the decoder. For many decoders including NCE, place the loco on the Program Track and program CV 30 with 2. See the decoder manual. All CVs will be returned to the default values, where communications will allow the user to start over again. Note: After a reset the operating address is short address 3.

 

Systems and components can be similarly reset, see the manual.

 

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Types of Decoder Programming:

 

There are a few modes of programming a decoder: Paged, Direct, Register, etc, to change a CV but the two terminologies we are familiar with NCE, are:

 

• On the Program Track or Service mode on a dedicated piece of track located in a yard on a siding etc.
• On the Main or operations mode programming abbreviated to POM, allows for programming ANYWHERE on the layout.

 

As you become used to programming, you’ll free yourself from the MYTH that you program all the locos that are on the track that a lot of people still think can happen when POM is used and the NEED to read a CV that you just programmed, really happened, you will find POM is the most convenient type of programming.

 

Utilize one of the most powerful features of DCC, as of Jan 2012 most decoders support POM.

 

The pros and cons of each type are:

 

• Program Track or Service Mode:

 

• You can read the “stored” value of a CV of most decoders
• The Program Track is current limited and this allows for testing a new installation for correct wiring. This ensures that the decoder is not damaged if the wiring was incorrect.
• This type of programming does not require an address, so a loco that has become confused or is operating irregularly, it can be reset.
• To read CVs on the Program Track, only one decoder (loco) can be read. A loco with two decoders, separate motor and sound decoders, the CVs cannot be read, without disconnecting one of the decoders from the track.
• Some people only use this form of programming, because they can check that what they have programmed into the decoder, by reading the CV they’ve just programmed. With clean track and wheels, all writes work.
• Using the Program Track can be somewhat inconvenient due the loco always has to be physically returned to the same piece of track. This inconvenience can be reduced by using POM mode of programming. See below.

 

• Programming on the Main POM or Operations Mode.

 

• POM is the easy way to program. No layout shutdowns or returning to specific place for programming.
• You cannot read CV values, just change them.
• POM is address dependant, just like operating the locos on the layout.
• POM can be done anywhere on the layout and hence is very convenient.
• POM in most cases, only needs the loco to be stopped, program a CV, then re-start the loco with the CV value taking effect immediately, confirming the write.
• POM enables on the fly programming or programming “as you run”.
• Adjusting the motor performance CVs and sound volumes is really easy. It’s dynamic programming.
• A great benefit of POM programming, is that the layout is NOT shutdown. How good is that for you club members without Power Cabs?
• Some users are very apprehensive about using POM mode programming, because they feel or have heard that it, programs every loco. This is just a myth that should be corrected. For the same reason not all locos move on the layout, only the addressed loco/decoder gets programmed. POM is address dependant.
• POM is a very powerful feature and almost all decoders support this type of programming because of its convenience. I feel this is one of the greatest features of a DCC system. Try it and you will agree.

 

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The Initial Programming of a newly installed decoder.

 

The Program Track is current limited.

 

A mistake made while wiring up a decoder could cause a short circuit that may damage a decoder when the loco was placed on a powered track. If a “faulty wired” loco is placed on the Program Track instead of on the layout, the current limited output of the Program Track would eliminate this short circuit from damaging the decoder. Instead of a “normal” display, the Procab will display something like “Short Circuit etc”, alerting the operator that there is something wrong with the installation.

 

It is for this reason, all NEW installations should be checked on the Program Track using the “1 = STD”, “2 = CV” option.

 

A correctly installed decoder will result with a displayed value at either of the above programming options. If the message CANNOT READ CV shows, then there may be a fault with the wiring or for another reason - see the section, what does CANNOT READ CV mean?

 

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Programming the address of a loco.

 

In a lot of cases, the first time user of DCC, this will be their first experience at programming to provide independent control. Using either of the below programming options, NCE makes it really easy by working out the correct CV values for the appropriate CVs for the desired address. Nothing to work out, its all done by the system automatically by following the prompts at:

 

1.    On the Program Track - using 1 = STD option and follow the prompts. The same as what I call the Initial Check of a new decoder installation.

Note: If you get the CANNOT READ CV message while programming a sound loco, you’ll need a Program Track booster from Soundtraxx. For the time being, just press ENTER on this message, but only if you are sure there are no faults with the decoder installation. For more details see the section on “What does CANNOT READ CV mean?”

 

2.    On the Main - Operate the loco usually by 3 the default short address and selecting 1 = ADR then 1 = LONG or 2 = Short then type the desired Address.

Note: For QSI equipped locos, prior to using POM to change the address, turn off the decoder’s Verbal Acknowledgement by programming CV 62 to 0, otherwise this won’t work.  

 

In a lot of cases, the loco will have the DC running, turned OFF. If the loco needs to be operated on a DC layout, CV 29 will have to be programmed to either 6 or 38 if programming for a short or long address respectively. NCE recommends all decoders to be set with the DC (or analogue) running OFF. For more details, see either: the CV 29 topic below, the decoder or system manual or this CV 29 Calculator

 

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Basic Programming of a loco your desired long address, better loco starting and lights.

 

A decoder including sound ones, will work quite satisfactorily on their default settings. So the only programming that’s REALLY necessary, is to change the Address of the decoder that’ll give us independent control and isn’t that the basis of going to DCC.

 

To change the address for NCE it is easy. Select the Program Track – PROG/ESC then “4”, then press ENTER, then at the “1=STD 2=CV 3=CFG” display, press “1” for a “STANDARD” program and follow the prompts. When using a 4 digit (or Long) address, the Command Station will work out the values for CV 17 and CV 18 automatically for the Long Address.

 

So how hard is it to program a loco? Not hard at all. What's all the hype about? You certainly don't need to know how to program a computer or a degree in programming, to program a loco in DCC.

To reduce or eliminate the locos delay on take off, program CV 2 - Volts Start, higher. This single adjustment will dramatically improve the starting performance of the loco. Add some Momentum (Acceleration - CV 3 and Deceleration - CV 4) for more realistic operation, especially great for a mainline loco.

 

If the default setting did not provide the desired lighting effect program the relevant CVs (see the decoder Manual). For NCE, CVs 120 and 121, need to programmed.

 

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What happens when reading CVs on the Program Track?

 

When you want to read the value of a CV, the Command Station sends a command to the decoder where the decoder pulses the motor according to the value of the CV. The current flowing from the Command Station during this pulsing of the motor is interpreted by the Command Station as the value for the requested CV and is displayed on the Procab.

 

With two decoders, both would be pulsing its own motor or speaker, causing more current to flow from the Command Station providing an incorrect value. So any read of dual decoder installations, the value would be wrong and certainly would not represent the value of ANY of the two CVs that were being read.

 

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Programming the address or any CV of sound locos on the Program Track.

 

When using the Program Track, to program any decoder, after entering the CV number you want to program, the system reads the decoder for the currently programmed value.

 

Due to the increased Inrush Current of sound decoders, you may get the CANNOT READ CV message that prevents reading ANY CV values. When this is displayed the users has to decide what can be done:

 

• This message during the first read of what I call the Initial Check for a newly installed decoder could mean a potential short caused by a fault in the decoder installation. What to do? Double check the installation and you'll have to decide, whether to proceed or not. This could lead to a dilemma. The only way in this situation, is to use a Program Track booster from Tony's or Soundtraxx. These will allow the read of a CV.
• With a loco/decoder that has been working, when the message CANNOT READ CV is displayed, just press ENTER and continue programming as normal. The entered CV will be programmed with the value.
• For a RTR loco or an operating sound loco, you can use POM and the 2 = CV option.

 

Note: Reading a CV value is NOT a requirement for programming a decoder, so if you are sure that this above message is NOT caused by a faulty installation, bad connection or dirty track/wheels. Press ENTER at this message and type in the desired value.

 

For more details, see what does the message “CANNOT READ CV” mean, see below.

 

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What does the message “CANNOT READ CV” mean, when on the Program Track.

 

The Program Track on the NCE Power Pro/Powerhouse Pro etc and many other DCC systems are current “limited” to 250 mAs as per the NMRA Standards. This figure was determined many years ago and before sound decoders were available, to protect the decoder/Command Station in the event that a “new” decoder installation where there was a “short circuit” caused from incorrect wiring etc.

     

If you see this “CANNOT READ CV” message on your Procab when attempting to program a loco on the Program Track, the cause could be due to:

 

1. Wiring problems to the Program Track that could include a faulty changeover switch, if installed, bad connections etc.

With the Program Track SELECTED on your Procab (PROG/ESC 4 times and then ENTER) with the display showing “PROG TRK 1=STD 2=CV 3=CFG”, a digital Multimeter with A.C. Volts selected should indicate 10.0 to 14.0 Volts A.C. If not, there is a problem with the wiring to the Program Track. If a “Changeover” Switch similar to what’s shown in the Manual is installed, this would be a good place to start. Also check the 2 wires in the Plug connecting to the Power Pro “Program Track” terminals, are secured.

 

2. A broken wire or loose connection in the loco wiring.

Check the decoder installation for loose or broken wires. The wires under the Black “Tabs” on DCC Ready locos at the Circuit Board or the 8 Pin NMRA Plug/Socket, are a constant source of poor connection. LOOK here.

 

3. Dirty loco wheels/track.

Irrespective of how clean the wheels of the loco are or the Program Track, CLEAN them. I have seen many shiny wheels cause this message.

 

4. A faulty decoder installation.

A faulty “installation” where the wiring from the decoder to the loco “terminals” is incorrect. Depending on which wires are incorrect/swapped around, there could be a short circuit. Check and re-check the wiring comparing it to the Instruction Manual.

   

5. A faulty decoder.

A faulty decoder will quite often give this indication. Inspect the decoder for evidence of burning etc. If all the “connections are okay, replace the decoder.

 

6. Trying to read a Sound Decoder CV.

See the below Topic on “The Sound Decoder Problem.

 

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The Sound decoder problem:

 

The Program Track on the NCE Power Pro/Powerhouse Pro etc and many other DCC systems are current “limited” to 250 mAs as per the NMRA Standards. This figure was determined many years ago and before sound decoders were available, to protect the decoder/Command Station in the event that a “new” decoder installation where there was a short circuit, providing a very handy feature.

 

Sound equipped locos are becoming popular and maybe this is your first attempt to “program” a sound equipped loco on the Program Track. The first instruction when programming a decoder on the Program Track is to tell the decoder to “pulse” the Motor according to the CV value and the Command Station interprets the pulses of power and displays the value on the Procab’s display. Sound decoders have more Capacitors and are of a higher value (capacitance) than NON sound decoders. When power is first applied to the sound equipped loco due to the higher “capacitance”, the Command Station interprets the Inrush Current (higher than the 250 mAs mentioned above) as the Capacitors are “charged” the Capacitors, as a “short circuit” and hence the “CANNOT READ CV message.

 

With this 250 mAs current limit on the Program Track, a couple of manufacturers have produced Program Track Boosters to overcome this “inability” of reading Sound decoder CVs. Soundtraxx with their PTB-100 Program Track Booster and Tony’s with their Power Pax.

 

What can be done if you don’t have a Program Track Booster?

 

At the “CANNOT READ CV” message during programming, just write the value that you want after pressing ENTER The system will accept the value and write it to the CV. You will not be able read CVs but you will be able to program the loco. Alternatively use Programming On the Main POM, to program your loco.

 

With sound locos becoming more popular since Broadway Limited released RTR locos with QSI chips, DCC operators cannot read the value of CVs, install a PTB-100 or a Power Pax Program Track Booster and wired between the Power Pro and the Program Track. These allow users to read CVs of sound locos.

 

Reading CVs is not a prerequisite of programming a loco. You can completely program a loco using the “Program on the Main” - POM (Operations) mode of programming, including changing to the 4 digit long address, without reading a CV.

 

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For determining the loco current for a DCC decoder Use Slipping current not Stall current.

 

A loco motor would only ever STALL if the gearbox jammed up or there was some mechanical fault with the driveline. How often does this happen, hardly ever, I’ve never had it happen to me in the 20 or so years I’ve been playing with trains. After questioning others that have been in the hobby a lot longer than me, say that it only rarely happens.

 

Why base the decoder current selection on a scenario that “rarely” if at all, happens.

 

A situation that happens regularly, is the loco stalls on a hill or runs into a stationary train etc. In this case the wheels will be spinning.

 

There is a big difference in current (amps) between a “slipping” or a “stalled” motor. The SLIPPING current can be as little as ¼ of the “stall” current. For example my NSW 45 Class diesel, Slipping Current = 320 mAs and the Stall Current = 1.4 Amps (1,400 mAs).

 

Using the above example, using the STALL Current value, I would have to use a 1.3 Amp D13SR or similar. Using the SLIPPING Current value, I could use a 1.0 Amp Z14SR Amp decoder or a 0.5 Lenz Gold Mini. The advantages here are enormous if space is at a premium. Using the same set of figures, I could not fit a Soundtraxx 1.0 Amp DSD-100LC or the latest 1.0 Amp Tsunami or the .75 Amp Tsunami Micro decoders. I am aiming to fit sound to all of my locos, so I would be in a bind if I used the STALL current value.

 

Many decoder now have overload protection and in some cases, shutdown when the decoder overheats. These types of protection are there to cover the worst possible cases.

 

Some decoder manufacturers have removed the word STALL in their instructions and use the words Continuous and Peak (Stall), as is the case with NCE.

 

So use the SLIPPING Continuous current for determining the decoder Current Rating.

 

Bye the way, Almost 90% of my locos have 1.0 Amp sound decoders and they are still operating 3 to 4 years later. More than half of the fleet have “stall” currents in excess of 1.3 Amps. Most modellers that are using Soundtraxx DSD and Tsunami sound decoders are exceeding the specifications of the decoder, with no reports of damaging decoders due to normal every day running.

 

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Is Left & Right Rail applicable to DCC during decoder installation?

Courtesy of Mark Gurries on NCE-DCC Yahoo group – May 30, 2007.

 

The NMRA DC polarity convention covering rail polarity is:

 

A “Positive” rail polarity on the Engineer's Side of the locomotive with the engine Facing Forward, will result in Forward motion.

 

This allowed standardization of direction between multiple manufactures of DC locomotives. Hence when you MU multiple brands of DC locomotive on the track, they will all move in the same direction.

 

Most DCC decoders support DC mode, if turned on, so people can continue to run decoder equipped locomotives on a DC layout. As such, if you plan to run your decoder equipped locomotive on DC, you should follow the same rail polarity rules if you plan to have this locomotive MU with standard DC locomotives or other Decoder equipped locomotives. The red wire goes to the positive rail as described by the rule.

 

If you never plan to run DC on this locomotive, it does not matter how you connect the red and black wires to the rails in terms of which goes to which rail. Direction of the locomotive is controlled by the decoder and not the rail polarity.

 

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The NMRA 8 pin DCC Ready Plug.

 

Manufactures of loco have been terminating the wiring in a loco from the Pick Ups, Motor and Lights (if installed) to a plug. In an effort to standardize this, the NMRA has provided a standard 8 pin plug for HO. This will allow the easy installation of a DCC decoder. For DC operation, this 8 Pin Plug/Socket has a DC Bridging Plug installed. This 8 Pin Plug/Socket is normally part of the loco’s Light Board and normally use Diodes for constant lighting with normally 1.5 volt incandescent lamps. If fitting a DCC decoder these 1.5 volt lamps will be damaged if the decoder is fitted without installing a voltage dropping resistor for these lamps. The decoders function operating voltage is about 12 14 volts DC.

 

For details, see Litchfield Station’s page on the NMRA 8 Pin DCC Ready Plug .

 

Looking at the plug from the socket side, the pins are numbered as I have notated them in the diagram. I have seen numbers on these plugs that are not correct, so please check the wires go to the right pins according to the photo below.

 

For the original wiring of the loco, it is not unusual to see just red and black wires. There maybe NO colour coding for the original loco wiring. The table below relates to the DCC decoder wiring colours that the manufacturers have standardized.

 

Note: The black caps on the DCC Ready Plus are a confirmed source of bad connections. If you are having problems with intermittent operation, please check these first. I have even seen where the insulation has not even been removed or loose strands of wire poking out from underneath these caps and touching the motor. This shows up as a short when trying to program the loco.

This plug is so designed that the decoder can be inserted 180 degrees out, and the decoder will not be damaged, the loco may go the wrong direction and the lights will not work as the lamp common, is connected to the pin 3, the optional connection.

 

The connections to pins 4 and 8 to the track pickups can be reversed. This will not cause any problems in DCC. Reversing the connections to the motor will reverse the direction of the motor as this is DC power.

 

Note: The wiring to this DCC Ready Plug was incorrect on the Austrains 442 and lots of NRs that will DAMAGE the decoder. Check carefully.

 

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Programming the Long Address.

 

For Sound locos including QSI equipped locos, see below.

 

4 digit addressing enables users to use the loco road number as the address thus reducing all the hassles associated with remembering which two digits to use when addressing the locos.

 

This can be done a few ways and will depend whether you are programming a RTR loco with a chip installed or a loco you have installed a chip into, using:

 

1. Program Track – Use the “1 = STD” or Initial Program option, where the Command Station will program the correct values of CV 17 and 18 after typing in your desired 4 digit Long address. No need to know these values it will all be done automatically.
2. On the Main – POM – Use the “1 = ADR” option. Similar to above, the C/S does it all automatically.
3. Individually programming CVs 17, 18 and 29 where you will have to know the values of both CV 17 and CV 18. You can get these by using this CV 17 & 18 Calculator. Program CV 29 with 34 for DC OFF or use this CV 29 Calculator to determine your value for CV 29. Note: If using this method on the Main - POM, CV 29 must be programmed LAST.

 

Note: Sound locos may cause the Procab to display CANNOT READ CV message when using the Program Track.

         

I find after checking a RTR locos operation on the default address of 3, the easiest way to program the Long Address is to use the 1 = ADR option using POM. This confirms that we have communication with the loco decoder (its running) and that the correct values of CVs 17 18 and 29 will be programmed into the decoder. On completion, the Procab shows ADDR and your new 4 digit number and you are now operating the loco with your new Long Address.

 

Note: CV 29 will be programmed with 34 that will disable DC operation of the loco. If you want to run your loco on DC, program CV 29 to 38 prior to using the loco on a DC layout otherwise you will have to reset the loco with the wand when you arrive at the DC layout, as the loco will not operate.

 

Note: Using the 1 = ADR option on QSI equipped locos see below.

 

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Programming the Long Address for QSI Equipped locos.

 

When using “On the Main – POM”, to change the address of a QSI equipped loco, program CV 62 to “0” (Verbal Acknowledgement disabled).

 

Changing the address from the default short address of 3, to the Long address, 3 CVs (17, 18 & 29) need to programmed.  

 

Command Stations like the NCE Power Pro, Power Cab etc work out the correct values for each of these CVs for the desired Address, automatically when using either of their Address Options, “1=STD” on the Program Track or 1=ADR” on the Main – POM.

 

When using the Program Track to program sound locos, systems like NCE’s Power Pro display a “Cannot Read CV” message. See why here.

 

Using “On the Main – POM”, all locos except the QSI accept the address change.

 

The QSI, by default has the Verbal Acknowledgement enabled – CV 62 to “1”. While writing the 3 “address” CVs, the QSI announces the Long Address confirming that CVs 17 and 18 have been changed (programmed) but MISSES the change for CV 29 so the decoder responds to the Long Address. This results in the loco not responding when the operator “dials up” his new address, the loco makes a sound (power on the track) but it does NOT move. This is because the loco is STILL using the Short Address #3. Without doing any thing else, you can confirm this by dialling up 3 and the loco will operate normally.

 

There are two fixes for this “QSI not working”, after attempting to change the address:

 

·         Since the loco/decoder is still responding to address 3, dial up 3 and program CV 29 to 34 or 50 and all is okay. The loco will now operate on the new Long Address.

·         Prior to changing the address using “On the Main”, program CV 62 to “0”. When finished changing the address, program CV 62 to “1” if you want the Verbal Announcements.

 

NOTE: Prior to ANY “multiple CV “writes” to the QSI, eg Volume changes, Speed Tables etc, CV 62 has to be programmed to “0”. This is especially important when using Decoder Pro to adjust your QSIs. See the QSI Misc Tab.

 

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Reading QSI CVs with Decoder Pro.

 

Thanks to Ollie Mayes on the QSI Yahoo group on April 6, 2009.

 

When you select Service Mode Programming, the Service Mode Programming Setup windows opens in the Page mode. Select an engine and open the Programmer window. It opens in the Direct Byte mode. No matter what mode is selected in the setup window the Programmer opens in the Direct Byte mode.

 

Change this window to Page mode, and you’ll be able to read the CVs.

 

With an NCE Power Pro unit and a PTB-100 Program Track Booster (Soundtraxx), I don’t have any problem reading CVs of a QSI.

 

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Programming QSIs including Indexed CVs

 

Programming some of the QSIs CVs, is the same as what we are used to, just select the CV and program the decimal value, but for other CVs, QSI uses what they call Indexed CVs as there were not enough available CVs to cover all the required adjustments. Quite ingenious, but a new way of programming CVs that is a little hard to understand and certainly more difficult to implement.

 

These Indexed CVs are CVs 51, 52 and 56. Depending on the CV, they ALL have a “Primary Index” (First Pointer) and SET in CV 49.

 

Some Indexed CVs have on top of the Primary Index (set in CV 49), they have a Secondary Index (Second Pointer), SET in CV 50.

 

Programming Examples of Indexed CVs:            

 

• CV 56.12 with a value of “32” – A TWO numbered CV with just a Primary Index.

 

• Firstly program the second number into CV 49.
• Then program CV 56 with the required value.

 

• In this case, program CV 49 to “12” then CV 56 with “32”, both CVs in a row.

 

 

• CV 55.70.1 with a value 10 – A THREE numbered CV using both Primary and Secondary Indexes.

 

• Firstly program the second number into CV 49.
• Then program the THIRD number into CV 50.
• Then program CV 55 with the required value. 

 

• In this case program CV 49 to “70” then CV 50 to “1” then CV 55 to “10”, all three CVs in a row.

 

NOTE: The NCE Procab can program QSI Indexed CVs that use only a Primary (P.I.), using POM’s Option 8 (QSI Sound). Indexed CVs using BOTH the Primary AND Secondary Indexes, CANNOT be programming using this method.

  

To determine the correct decimal value for a particular effect, you must use the QSI Q1a DCC Reference Manual Version 4.0.2 for Firmware 7 by Bit Weighting where you choose the effect and give the 1s and 0s their relevant bit weight for an 8 bit word. For some modellers, including me, this can be a little difficult to work out, similar to determining what value to program into Soundtraxx DSD and DSX CVs, using the Technical manuals.

 

An easier way to program these Indexed CVs, is to use Decoder Pro.

 

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AD60 Headlights Programming Indexed CVs example.

 

Programming the headlights for the AD60 to auto reversing headlights is an example of programming Indexed CVs with a total of 6 CVs needing programming. To do this, program the following CVs to:

 

• The Forward Headlight, that is on bright in forward and OFF in reverse, CV 55.70.1 has to be programmed with a value of 10 as per page 105 of the manual. This set by programming:

 

• CV 49 set to 70.
• CV 50 set to 1. and
• CV 55 set to 10.

 

• The Reverse Headlight, that is on bright in reverse and off in forward, CV 55.73.1, has to be programmed with a value of 160 as per page 110 of the manual. This is set by programming:

 

• CV 49 set to 73.
• CV 50 set to 1 and
• CV 55 set to 160.

 

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Adjusting the Volume of QSIs with CVs including the AD60 including Individual Sounds Levels.

This requires programming Indexed CVs. In this case two CVs will have to be programmed.

 

Overall Volume of the QSIs can be adjusted 3 ways.

 

1.      Easily adjusted by using the Wand if the QSI chip supports the wand.

• Position the Wand across the loco where the instructions say to. In case of the AD60, just forward of the dome. It will start to announce short toots and in a descending order. Remove wand when the level is ok. At minimum and maximum levels, the decoder announces this.
• If the loco does not support the wand, then use method 2.

 

2.     Using POM, programme both CV 49 to 0 and then CV 51 to between 0 no sound to 127 - max sound.

 

3.     For NCE, using POM by using option 8 - QSI Sound. At the moment the Procab can only set CVs 51, 52 and 56.

 

·       Using POM and on the menus, scroll through to 8 = QSI Sound. Press 8 and Enter.

·       At the CV prompt, enter 51 for the CV.

·       It will then prompt for the Primary Index, in this case enter 0 (CV 49 value from above).

·       Now enter 0 to 127 for the appropriate volume.

 

Programming Individual Sound Volume levels.

 

Primary Index Entered into CV 49.	Individual Sound	Default.
0	Whistle	11
8	Bell (not in AD60)	11
10	Chuff (Steam exhaust)	11
16	Pump 1	11
19	Blower (hiss)	8
21	Long Air Let-off	11
22	Short Air Let-off	11
24	Squealing Brakes	11
26	Dynamo	11
29	Boiler Pop-off	11
30	Boiler Blow-down	11
31	Water Injector	11
34	Coupler Sounds	11

These CVs are Indexed CVs with a P.I. From the table (left) enter the desired individual sound value into CV 49 and then program CV 52 as follows:

 

0 for No Sound, 1 15 sets the volume level, from the lowest level at 1 to the highest at 15 into CV 52.

 

For example, changing the whistle level to the highest volume = 15, from the default 11, to make it louder.

 

CV 49 set to 0 and

CV 52 set to 15.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Using the Heavy Load feature.

 

One of the greatest features of the QSI chip in the Eureka Models AD60 Garratts, in fact any QSI decoder, is the "Heavy Load" feature. This feature is selected by using F9 on the throttle. If your DCC throttle can only support 8 functions, then the Heavy Load will have to be re-mapped. See manual.

 

Basically while operating the loco as you start to climb the grade on the layout, press F9 - one short Toot from the loco. Now when increasing the throttle, the sound gets louder, simulating a labouring loco. Decrease the throttle and the sound gets softer, simulating a coasting loco. Press F7 will engage the Air Brakes/Wheel Flange sounds. All the time the "Heavy Load" is engaged, the loco maintains the same speed.

 

Back on the flat with the throttle near the original position prior to engaging "Heavy Load", press F9 - two short Toots and the "Heavy Load" feature is set to OFF and the loco returns to normal control with the throttle.

 

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Adjusting the Chuff Rate - CV 56.12.

 

This is another indexed CV. CV 56 is the CV you program with the value (10 to 100), AFTER programming CV 49 (the “pointer” CV) with “12”.

 

Alternatively the NCE Procab can program Indexed CVs by using POM and using Option 8 = QSI sound.

 

• At CV prompt, enter 56
• Then enter 12
• Enter a value approx range 10 to 100 with the lower number less chuffs per rev. Default is 32.
• Some have tried programming 60 instead of 32 for what they feel is better. Not enough chuffs down low for me.

 

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Resetting a Decoder.

 

Every now and then a decoder gets confused and wont respond or has some form of irregular operation. Many problems with decoders are solved by resetting the decoder. These range from:

 

• Loco stopping due to a short and not starting again.
• A short on the layout somewhere causing a loco not to respond after being addressed.
• A power interruption causing some irregular running.
• While programming the decoder, the sequence was interrupted.
• Programming the decoder, the decoder just got confused.
• Out of the box the decoder did not work or showed some form of irregularity.

 

If at any time, a loco does not work, firstly suspect that it is still in a consist. Read the value of CV 19 and it should display 0. If it reads “0”, do reset of the decoder on the Program Track. Most, if not all CVs will be set to their factory defaults

 

Reset Procedure:

 

Note: After a reset, the loco will ONLY respond to the short address of 3.

 

Place loco on the Program Track and program the appropriate CV with the value stated below.

 

NCE                  CV 30 with 2 or use the Program Track Menu Option 7 “RECOVERY PROGRAMMING”.

Soundtraxx        CV 30 with 2 or CV 8 to 8 and cycle the power.

QSI                   CV 49 to 128, CV 50 to 255 and CV 56 to 113 or hold the Wand over the Reed Switch and apply power, see below.

Loksound           CV 8 with 8.

Digitrax             CV 8 with 8.

TCS                   CV 30 with 2 or CV 8 with 2 and cycle power.

Lenz                 CV 8 with 33.

 

 

Resetting QSI sound locos.

 

Note: If you cannot get your QSI equipped loco moving after you “killed” (cleared) a Consist, click here.

 

These decoders require more than the write 2 to CV 30 reset of all my other locos except Lenz and Loksound (8 into CV 8). Resetting the QSIs locos can be done by two methods:

 

• The Wand if the loco supports this. Earlier locos with out the supplied Wand, then there is a reset link on the decoder board. You will have to access this. To use the Wand, a cylindrical magnet with a plastic handle, you will have to know the location of the Reed Switch on the decoder, so that it can be operated by the wand. The location of this reed switch will be on the supplied instruction sheet with the loco. My first QSI did not come with this instruction sheet, so I had to pull the top off my Eureka 620/720 railmotor to ascertain where I had to place the Wand.

 

• To reset with the Wand: With power off to the loco, place the Wand close to the Reed Switch and turn power on. The loco when powered up with the reed switch closed by the Wand, the decoder resets all the CVs to the factory defaults. Re-address the loco by 3 and the QSIs announces Reset.

 

• In DCC, you can do an electronic reset by programming the below CVs with the appropriate values. As the address information may be corrupted, you may have to use the Program Track.

 

• Set CV 49 to 128.
• Set CV 50 to 255.
• Set CV 56 to 113.

 

• You will have to address the loco by "3" to operate it after a reset. To re-program the QSIs Long Address, it is easier to do it On the Main POM using the 1 = ADR option. See the next topic below.

 

Changing the Address of a QSI equipped Loco.

 

If using “On the Main – POM” mode of programming, program CV 62 to “0” prior to changing the Address.

 

When using the Program Track to program/read CVs of some sound locos, many Command Station like NCE’s Power Pro system display the message “Cannot Read CV”. Program Track Boosters like Soundtraxx’s PTB-100 or QSI Solution’s Power Pax are used to “boost” the signal to allow the system to program/read CVs.

 

Many modellers and even the manufacturers of these sound locos have recommended to use “On the Main – POM” mode of programming locos, when programming these locos.

 

One common programming routine is to change the decoder/loco’s address from the default short address of 3 to the Long Address (number on loco Cab).

 

To program a loco to operate on the Long Address, the Command Station works out the appropriate values for 3 CVs – CV 17 and CV 18 for the Long Address and CV 29 to tell the decoder to now respond to the new Long Address and writes the information to the decoder.

 

For all decoders except the QSI, this is not a problem.

 

For the QSI decoder (Aug 2011 - prior to the Titan), when the Command Station writes the desired values to these 3 CVs (CVs 17, 18 & 29), the QSI’s Verbal Acknowledgment feature that by default is turned ON, INTERUPTS this “writing/programming’ of the 3 CVs. While the QSI receives the values for CV 17 and 18, data for the Long Address, the QSI MISSES the programming of CV 29, to tell the decoder to now respond to the Long Address.

 

When this happens, the decoder is STILL responding to the Short Address 3. When the operator now dials up the new address he thought the decoder/loco should respond to, the loco does NOT move. The sounds come alive, (power on the track) but the loco does not move.

 

There are two fixes to rectify this particular “Changing the Address of a QSI” issue:

 

·         Dial up loco address 3 and program CV 29 to 34 (Speed Tables OFF) or 50 (Speed Tables ON). Add 4 if you want DC ON. When done, dial up the QSI’s Long Address and all should work.

·         Prior to changing the address, program CV 62 to “0” to disable the Verbal Acknowledgement feature. When finished, you may turn it back on by CV 62 to “1”.

 

Those of you that use tinker with their decoders and program multiple CVs like volume changes, Speed Tables etc using Decoder Pro, are prompted to turn OFF the Verbal Acknowledgement, using the QSI Misc Tab. If you are having trouble programming the QSI with Decoder Pro. See the QSI Misc Tab.

 

Recommendations: Unless you want the Verbal Acknowledgement ON, leave it OFF CV 63 yo “0”and whenever you are running on a DCC layout, always disable DC operation, CV 29 to 34 or 50.

 

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QSI equipped locos resetting on layout “Power Up” & Volume changing as the loco passes another loco. 

 

If a QSI equipped loco announces “Reset” when the layout is powered up and then does not operate on its previously programmed Address, the Reed Switch has failed in the “Closed” position and the loco has Reset as soon as power is applied to the loco.

 

Another issue with the QSI Reed Switches, is that they can be operated by the strong magnetic fields found in some of the later Can Motors as two loco pass on adjacent track or if the decoder is in close proximity to a DC Un-Coupler.

                                                                                                                                                    

In these above cases, the Reed Switch has to be disabled for “normal” operation. This can be done by:

 

1. Accessing the decoder and cutting one of the Reed Switch leads or removing it altogether.
2. Later versions of QSI software allows for a DCC disable of the Reed Switch by programming two CVs;

CV 49 to “0”

CV 56 to “128”

 

Easily done with Decoder Pro using the Sound Tab.

 

With the Reed Switch disabled, you will not be able to use the Magnetic Wand (Resetting, Volumes etc). To enable it again if the Reed Switch has NOT “jammed” closed, program:

 

                   CV 49 to “0”

                   CV 56 to “0”.

 

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The Loco goes the wrong direction after the installation of a decoder.

 

A common problem and this is due to:

 

• The motor + and - connections reversed compared to when the loco was operating on DC.
• A diesel is operating with long hood forward and the normal direction is short hood forward no arguments which is the right way round here, please. This would certainly show up when installing a plug n play decoder that does have the direction set.

 

Note: It does NOT matter which of the track pickups the red and black decoder wires connect to, as this does not control the direction in a DCC loco. The DCC track voltage is rectified inside the decoder.

 

Changing the direction can be altered by two procedures.

 

• Reversing (interchanging) the connections to the motor.

 

• Reversing the connections to the motor can be inconvenient if the loco is all assembled again.
• On an installation, I temporally wire up the motor connections, place loco on the Program Track and check for reading CVs. If o.k. I flip the switch and operate the loco. If the direction is wrong, I swap the motor wires.
• I then complete the installation knowing the loco goes the right direction.
• The beauty of this method is, the loco is going in the right direction, all the time see below reset note.

 

• Changing the direction electronically in CV 29.

 

• Read the value of CV 29 on the Program Track. Change the direction electronically by CV 29 by adding 1 if the value for CV 29 is an even value or subtracting 1 for an odd value. This procedure is simple. See below for the drawback with this method.

 

When you do a reset of a loco, it will give the direction bit value in CV 29 is 0 - NORMAL direction. A loco where the direction was changed electronically by adding 1 to the CV 29 value, the loco will go in the REVERSE direction after a reset.

 

I recommend changing the wires because of this reset scenario.

 

For NCE you can change the CV 29 value at either the 2 = CV or the 3 = CFG selections during programming in either the Program Track mode or POM mode.

 

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Why doesn't the loco go.

 

DCC is a 5 to 8,500 Hz square wave A.C. signal, which the microprocessor in the decoder has to decipher, to issue speed commands and function selection continuously for the decoder to operate. Sometimes the decoder does get confused for some reason. A reported common problem and it has happened to me is that when there is a short on the layout, the decoder acts strangely with some funny result. Sometimes the address CVs are affected which will prevent communication with the decoder. This is seen as a locked up decoder. Sometimes this lock up could have been caused by Operator Error.

 

What should we do to correct this lockup or loco not operating situation? I have listed a few things below:

 

• Lack of Power: Move loco to a known clean track and check for power. This happens too often not to consider first.
• Consist Address: One common operator fault is that we are trying to get a loco to move that was in a Consist previously. Program CV 19 to 0. Also the operating command station may not know about an Advanced Consist that was set up on another layout. Set CV 19 to 0 and rebuild the consist if required and see next item.
• If it is a QSI loco it may be in shutdown mode (pressing F9 TWICE, when stopped). To exit Shutdown press F6 TWICE, quickly. The loco sounds start and in a few seconds will be ready to operate. This is so common for QSIs, whether intentionally or by mistake. I never “shutdown” my QSIs. “F9” is used lots of times on my QSIs for the Heavy Load feature BUT the loco has to be MOVING, to enable the Heavy Load. If the loco is STATIONARY, the QSI can be inadvertently SHUTDOWN. Since I never use this shutdown feature and don’t know anyone who does, I disable this feature using Decoder Pro. One other issue, if “someone” does shutdown the QSI (F9 twice) and a “new” operator or even me, goes to operate that loco next or in a week or two, the loco WON’T move, unless F6 is pressed twice. A hassle, in my opinion.
• Sound Loco STILL has the Brake applied If the loco was stopped using the “Bake” feature (Tsunami etc) and you DON’T de-select the Brake, prior to moving away, the loco will NOT move. De-select the Brake – F7 on many sound locos.  
• Command Station may still have a consist assigned to this loco. This could be the case if the loco was taken to the club and CV 19 set to 0 to run it as above. Advanced Consists must be removed in the Command Station. A give away here with NCE is that when you select the loco, "CONXXXX" will show on the display. To clear the C/S, select Browse Consist menu on the Procab menu (PROG/ESC pressed 9 times or PROG/ESC and 9). Enter. This will sow you the locos in consist. If the loco you are trying to operate is here, then press CLEAR on this entry. The Command Station consist is removed.
• Wrong Address: Make sure you are addressing the loco by the right address. The Short Address is without a “0”. Also CV 29 may be incorrect for the address you are trying to use.
• Command station may be 128 speed steps configuration and decoder only supports 14 speed step configuration. Reset C/S.
• Manual Notching: If a diesel sound decoder, you may have this set. Set to auto notching.
• Voltage too high: If a QSI equipped loco does not run on an Atlas or Roco DCC system and the track voltage is greater than 22.5 Volts DCC, the decoder shuts down. This “over voltage” shutdown is indicated by a “few hoots”.
• After an Initial Installation: When programming a loco for the first time, many new users do the 1 = STD programming to set up the loco, go through the procedure and set both short and long addresses and forget to set the address in the CFG option at the end. If they wanted a long and press Enter at the CFG the loco will only respond to the short address. Check this, if the loco never ran after doing a 1 = STD program.

 

If the loco still does not work after checking the above, place the loco on the Program Track and read the following CVs.

 

• If Cannot read CVs or something similar shows on display, the probable cause is dirty wheels, faulty pickups, bad connections, faulty/damaged decoder or faulty Program Track wiring. Isolate and rectify. Sound locos also cause this message. See the topic Why Program Track cannot read CVs
• CV 29 may be set incorrectly, ensure correct value for the required type of address (short or long) is being used.
• CV 3 Acceleration set to high, reset to 0

 

Note: Ensure acknowledgement of programming command by the small movement of the loco.

 

If all else fails to get the loco to work, do a Reset.

 

When a reset is done, the decoder will ONLY respond to the short address of 3. You will have to reprogram the long 4 digit address if that was being used any CVs that you changed to fine tune motor and lights.

 

For both NCE TCS and Soundtraxx, to reset decoders, select CV 30, enter value of 2 and cycle power.

 

For NCE system users you can also do this at the Program Track and select option 7 Recovery Programming with the new EPROM.

 

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Why is the locos top speed lower in DCC than in DC prior to fitting a decoder?

 

I have observed and many others have reported that when they’ve install a decoder into a loco, the loco goes much slower at Top Speed in DCC than what it did in DC.

 

Depending on the type of DC Power Pack (Controller) being used, while they are rated at 12 Volts DC, they put out much more than 12 Volts. Many especially the early types provide an “unregulated” DC supply provided by a suitable drop down Transformer, Rectifier and then some form of Rheostat. Later Power Packs had simple electronics instead of the Rheostat. In both cases these Packs the “12” Volts supplied to the Rheostat/Electronics was not REGULATED and provided voltages up to 20 Volts DC. Later more complex electronic Power Packs provided regulated 12 Volts DC. These units would provide a maximum of 12 to 14 Volts DC.

 

For DCC equipped locos, I measured some decoder motor outputs for some comparison test to see why the locos ran slower in DCC to DC.

 

Test Conditions:

1. NCE DCC Power Pro 5 with a Track Voltage of 14.2 Volts DCC (NMRA Nominal DCC Track Voltage) measured with my Pricom DCC Pocket Tester.
2. Decoder’s CV 5 programmed to "255" if applicable and Internal Speed Tales set - CV 29 at "34" and CV 3 & 4 at "0").
3. Throttle set at Speed Step 28 out of 28 (Full Speed).
4. Loco “blocked” and running at full speed with wheels slipping (loco stationary).

 

Listed below are the DC voltages at the Motor Terminals while operating:

 

• Soundtraxx Tsunami - 11.6 Volts DC.
• Soundtraxx DSD-100LC - 12.6 Volts DC.
• TCS MC2 - 11.6 Volts DC.
• NCE D13SR - 13.0 Volts DC.
• Lenz 1034 - 12.3 Volts DC.
• TCS T1 - 11.3 Volts DC.

 

With 14.2 Volts applied to the track, this shows that the decoder electronics "drop" between 1 to 3 volts. This I would consider normal. Inside the decoder, the electronics has a bridge rectifier and transistors/FETs etc to make the DC for the PWM motor drive voltage etc, that have "voltage drops" across them.

 

With a voltage to the Motor in DCC being in the range 11.6 to 13.0 Volts DC when compared to what the same motor had in DC, 12.0 to 20.0 Volts DC, there could be a verly large variation up to 100% higher for DC. No wonder the loco goes faster in DC.

 

One other thing to consider in "top speed" running, is the DCC track voltage. NCE is operating at 14.2 Volts DCC, the "nominal" NMRA recommendation for HO. Of the other U.S. made DCC systems, some operate around the same 14.2 volts DCC but others operate with a higher voltage. I have measured 22.5 Volts DCC on a European DCC system. The Europeans seem to want their locos to go "faster". Have you noticed how bright the incandescent headlights are on these systems or they have blown.

 

A note on Top Speed I have never understood, if the prototype of the model you have went at 100 MPH, why you would want the model to go at 100 scale MPH. That would be 3 feet in 1.75 seconds and 30 feet in 17.5 seconds. I guess some people have extremely long layouts, but for me I want the "operating" experience to last a little longer and with my track laying abilities, I would have to install safety nets around the layout. These above speeds are for toy trains, not for the serious modellers that go to added expense of using DCC to “play” trains.

 

I have visited the La Mesa Club’s Tehachapi Loop layout in San Diego that is 125 feet long and operated on some “smaller” layouts when I attended the NMRA 2011 Convention in San Jose/Sacramento USA and many layouts here in Australia (not quite as big as the Tehachapi Loop layout) and not once did I see a train “driven” at more than 30 MPHs. These observations and my own personal preference, why would anyone want to operate a train at greater than 30 scale MPH, in HO.

 

I have reduced the Top Speed of all of my locos to 30 MPH, see My 30 MPH Max Speed Table and my Blog entry.    

 

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Functions and Outputs.

 

A decoder, on top of its motor control and sound circuitry if applicable, have Functions. The amount of functions varies but most have at least two. The common effect for these two functions, are headlights. Many decoders have more, like the 3 function D13SR and the 4 function D14SR etc.

 

Each function can be programmed to one of many different effects. See the EFX Lighting Effects table of your NCE decoder manual. Decoders from all decoder manufacturers have the same arrangement, but not necessarily the same effects as NCE and they certainly use different CV numbers for their effects.

 

The NCE decoder uses these CVs:

 

• CV 120 is used to control Output 1, the No 1 tab or the white wire.
• CV 121 is used to control Output 2, the No 2 tab or the yellow wire.
• CV 122 is used to control Output 3, the No 3 tab or the green wire. etc

 

The current capacity of the function must be considered when connecting a light or other load. At the moment NCE decoders are providing only 40 mAs outputs. If you connect say an 80mAs lamp, this will overload the circuitry and will most probably damage the Function Output transistor/FET etc. So be careful when connecting lamps. No more than 40 mAs.

 

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Selecting Functions on NCE throttles.

 

• Functions F0 - F9 = Press the keypad number button, that is if a function has been mapped to operate with F5, press 5
• Functions F10 F12 = Press SHIFT and F10 or F11 or F12 on the bottom row of buttons on the Procab.
• Functions F10 to F19 = While holding down SHIFT button, press the Headlight (or “0”) button, once. The display shows F10 to F19.
• Functions F20 to F28 = While holding down the SHIFT button, press the Headlight (or “0”) button TWICE. The display shows F20 to F28.

 

An alternative “one finger” method of accessing F10 to F28, is to program the “OPTION” button with “122” in the Cab Address (Press SELECT LOCO while plugging in and follow the prompts ‘till “PROG OPTION KEY is displayed or for more details, see the Manual.

 

Press “OPTION” button ONCE then 1 to 0 for F10 to F19 or press “OPTION” Button TWICE then 0 to 9 for F20 to F28.

 

To see what Functions have be operated or the state of all the Functions, press the EXPN button. Not available if operating in Radio as this EXPN button accesses the Radio Set Up Menu.  

 

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Operation of Functions when in Consists.

 

When locos are Consisted (MUed), Functions eg. Headlights, Horn/Whistle, Dynamic Brakes etc (sound locos) can be configured to be used or NOT be used. For example if two/three diesels are consisted together only the Headlights at the “end” of the lashup, should illuminate while the “facing” Headlights should remain extinguished. Same for the Horn, only the front diesel should make the sound.

 

While in individual operation all the Functions will work but when in a Consist they can be enabled/disabled by using CVs 21 and 22, using the Decoder Manual or even better, Decoder Pro.

 

For NCE Users: NCE Command Stations (Power Pro and Power Cab) have a CMD STN Setting for “Send Functions Commands to Consists”. By default it is YES. Make sure it is still 1= YES if you are having trouble getting your Functions to work as desired when using Consists.   

 

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Lighting Effects.

 

Each decoder function output can be programmed as a Rule 17, dimmable, reversing headlight or as a Mars, Beacon, Gyra, marker lights. The flashing rate of these lights can be adjusted. The available options are limited only by what the manufacturer implements in the decoder. Not all manufacturers provide the same level of effects.

 

All present day NCE decoders offer software version 3.5 that has the same lighting effects for all decoders, just the quantity of functions change in different decoders. Using the Decoder Manual, I have copied the EFX Lighting Effects below.

 

All NCE D13SRs now are released with 4 functions that means CV 123 is added. Below is the version 3.5 firmware copied from the DA-SR decoder at http://www.ncecorporation.com/pdf/dasr.pdf

 

 

• To program the lighting effect, add the values of the effects you desire. For example for my Reversible Dimmable LED Headlights, I have added each value as below:

 

• "0" for on/off feature.
• "32" on DIM when both FO and F4 are operated, otherwise bright. (This dims the headlight when F4 is operated).
• "128" from the Flag notes below add this value if using LEDs. This gives a different PWM duty cycle for LEDs to give an appropriate DIM voltage. Without adding this "128", you would have the DIM voltage for incandescent lamps that would be too high to make a difference for LEDs.
• 1 From the Flag Notes below. add this value, if you want this effect to only be active in the FORWARD direction. Note adding 2 would make the effect only active in the REVERSE direction. This is how you get the automatic changing of the headlights with direction changes.

 

This gives a total of:

 

·         "161" for CV 120 for my Front Headlight that is connected to the white wire.

·         "162" for CV 121 for my Rear Headlight that is connected to the yellow wire.

 

The headlight will only illuminate in the direction of travel and dimmed by pressing F4.

 

• The headlight is operated by the function button “F0”, that has been “mapped” by default to the HEADLIGHT button on the Procab. On the Cab04 you press 0 to illuminate the headlights.
• The beauty of the FO function is that it has an action that alternatively energises Output 1 and Output 2 with each direction change of the loco. This means that when loco goes one direction, Output 1 in energised and when the loco goes the other direction Output 2 is energised. This has been designed this way to enable auto reversing headlights that some operators like me, want. The FO function has two parts the FO Forward, and FO Rear written FOF and FOR respectively.
• Each Output of the decoder can be assigned to any function button. This is called Function Mapping.

 

An interesting example of headlight operation, was mentioned on the NCE Yahoo list in Oct 06, that gave a fully independent headlight operation using a combination of headlight effects and re-assigning function buttons (Function Mapping). The relevant CVs and values are copied below. This is just an example of how flexible decoders are in controlling the headlights, providing modellers with the effect they desire in endeavouring to get their best effect.

 

These CVs were programmed with their respective values CV33=1, CV34=1, CV35=2, CV120=32, CV121=36 and CV122=0.

 

CV 33, 34 and 35 are Function Mapping CVs that when programmed, re - mapped the outputs to operate by the relevant function buttons and CVs 120, 121, 122 etc, determines which lighting effect is applied to each of the outputs 1, 2, 3 etc.

 

• CV 33 set to "1", will operate output 1, when F0 Fwd is operated.
• CV 34 set to "1", will operate output 1, when F0 Rear is operated.
• CV 35 set to "2", will operate output 2, when F1 is operated.

 

 

• CV 120 set to "32", will provide Output 1 with an on/off light that will be "dim" when F0 and F4 are on, otherwise it will be bright.
• CV 121 set to "36", will provide Output 2 with an on/off light that will be "dim" when F0 and F8 are on, otherwise it will be bright.
• CV 122 set to "0" will provide a lighting effect on Output 3 of an on/off "bright" light that cannot be dimmed by either F4 or F8.

 

It does not mater what direction the loco is going, direction has NO influence on the headlights at all. Either or both headlights can be selected on, with F4 dimming the front and F8 dimming the rear any combination true independent light control.

 

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Function Mapping.

 

Once a decoder output has been programmed to provide the desired lighting effect, this output can be mapped or connected to any function button. Tying this particular lighting effect or a particular sound to a function, is called Function Mapping.

 

In the previous NCE Lighting Effect topic, the output of the F1, F2 etc were programmed with a value of 160. This provided an ON/OFF headlight dimmed with F4 operating LEDs. The function was not mapped in these NCE decoders because they are headlights and can be controlled by F0F and FOR, for direction change.

 

Referring to the Soundtraxx Tsunami sound decoder Manual, the Function Table (map) shows how each function button (left column) can be connected or mapped to particular sound or light effect shown on the top line. Mapping a function button (F0 to F12) is achieved by programming the applicable CV (33 to 46) with the desired effects value, shown in the column below the sound or effect.

 

Cross referencing the bold values, in the table shows the default sound/effect for each function button. For example F2 operates the Whistle. From the table, it can be seen that F2 can be mapped to operate the Headlight, Backlight, Whistle, Bell, FX5, FX6, Dynamo and short Whistle all the sounds/effects NOT in the blocked out section.

 

All decoders have tables like the Tsunami and use similar “cross referencing” method to program the applicable CV for the applicable function, so as to connect/set the desired sound or lighting effect.

 

For example "F6" (CV 40) can be mapped so that it operates the Bell, when it is pressed.

 

The default settings of the Tsunami provide the effect , the values shown in bold .

 

From the Soundtraxx Tsunami decoder manual, it shows the settings with the default settings, shown in bold. Using this table, you can assign each function button F1 (CV 35) to F12 (CV 46) to one of 8 outputs, but only to the values . FO(f) CV 33 and FO(r) CV 34 are for the headlight. All decoder manuals have a table similar to this but obviously sound decoders have more effects, enabling more options.

 

A function button can be mapped to operate any output within the Function Mapping Table of the Decoder Manual and can activate more than one effect. Below are a few examples from the Tsunami, refer to the above table.

 

• The Tsunami the default setting for CV 33 is "65", and CV 34 is 66". This provides the headlight ON and the sound of the dynamo when in the forward direction and the Backlight ON and dynamo sound in the reverse direction.
• You could also re-map the brake sound from the default of F11, - CV 45 set to "64" to a new single button function F9, for easier operation by setting CV 43 to "128". You have now re-mapped F9 to the Brake sound instead of the Water Stop.
• NCE decoders use F4 to dim the headlights. The default for dimming the headlight on the Tsunami is F7. I want all my decoders to use F4 for consistency. I need to re-map F4 for this. Program CV 38 to "128". Its that easy. Now F4 dims the headlights on the Tsunami.

 

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Auto Reversing Headlights in a Consist with NCE.

 

I wanted auto reversing, dimmable headlights for my diesels and from the Light Effects Table, I programmed the following:

 

• CV 120 to “33” for Incandescents or “161” for LEDs.
• CV 121 to “34” for Incandescents or “162” for LEDs.

 

This works perfectly and they DIM when F4 is operated. When two diesels are consisted with the rear ends facing each other, I wanted the facing rear ends headlights to never illuminate, but work normally when NOT in a consist. They are regularly separated on my layout.

 

From the manual, this should be possible, I can do it with my Soundtraxx and TCS decoders but no mater what I program into CV 21 and 22, it doesn’t work, it seems that NCE decoders with the version 3.3 and 3.5 software don’t support this lighting effect that I and many others want, while other brand decoders can.

 

During a recent (Mar 07) discussion on the Yahoo NCE group, a few members discussed this inability to set up loco headlights when in a consist as above. One modeller, Bob became so frustrated with not getting the effect explained above, that he disconnected the facing headlights, but is should be possible with DCC.

 

Chris Heili on 17 Mar 07 came to the rescue with his method (copied below) that gives the above effect. I have not tried it as I dont have any NCE decoders in these diesels anymore. The theory sounds correct and it will work because it takes a different approach. Where Bob physically disconnected the facing headlights, Chris has disconnected them with DCC.

 

Chris’s solution:

 

Here's my quick and simple solution for NCE decoders with function mapping.

 

When setting up an advanced consist I use CV33 & CV34 to "disable" lights by mapping the Output to a "Non-Existent" Function. IE: CV33=0 or CV34=0. The values listed below are for a consist that will only have an operational HL of the lead Loco and BU of the Rear Loco with any Mid Locos being always off. The lighting can be turned on and off with F0 as usual and will be directional. This is assuming you have your lighting effects set to normal directional lighting prior to doing this.

 

Here is how I setup a consist:

 

If Lead Loco will be FWD: CV33=1 & CV34=0

If Lead Loco will be REV: CV33=0 & CV34=2

 

Mid Locos: CV33=0 & CV34=0

 

If Rear Loco will be REV: CV33=1 CV34=0

If Rear Loco will be FWD: CV33=0 CV34=2

 

If you program on the main, programming right to the CV, it takes less than a minute to setup 3 locos. You can do it before or after setting up your advanced consist. If you leave your consists together all the time, your golden. If you're making and breaking all the time it's only 1 extra step.

 

To return to normal directional light after removing a loco from a consist, just set CV33=1 and CV34=2.

 

In light of the fact that you're willing to spend a minute or two setting up a consist, an extra minute for correct lighting is worth

it to me. By the way I've only tried this with a Power Cab and NCE decoders.

 

Chris Heili

Dunbar & Wausaukee Railroad

 

Marcus’ Note: While it provides the effect we want, the fact that I have to program CVs 33 and 34 back, to provide non consist light effects is a hassle. The two different effects can be set up automatically in Soundtraxx and TCS decoders without re-programming, when locos are de-consisted, I wonder why I cannot do it with NCE?

 

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Using LEDs or Incandescent Lamps.

 

See my web site article Headlights for DCC.

 

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Speed Steps.

 

In digital electronics an analogue voltage has to be converted into 0s and 1s providing a certain number of voltage levels representing the voltage from minimum to maximum. In DCC the number of different levels, are called Speed Steps. The number of speed steps depends on the system and decoder.

 

Early decoder only had 14 different speed steps (levels) where the voltage between steps was about 1 volt for HO, resulting in a jerky operation. For this reason only very basic decoders come with 14 speed steps. Now, 28 and 128 are the normal amount of speed steps. 128 speed steps are produced from a 28 speed step table, by the decoder by a process called interpolating.

 

For a maximum voltage of 14 volts DC, each speed step on a straight line speed curve will equal:

 

• 14 Speed Steps - 1 volt per Speed Step increment.
• 28 Speed Steps 0.5 volt per Speed Step increment.
• 128 Speed Steps 0.11 volts per Speed Step increment.

 

Display throttles show the speed of the loco in Speed Steps but depending on the speed table (see below) used in the decoder, Speed Step 14 out of 28 or 64 out of 128, this setting may not be half voltage and most probably won’t be half speed.

 

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Speed Tables.

 

The line plotted by the voltage versus speed step, provides a Speed Table In NCE decoders the default speed table curve is a straight line, blue in the diagram below. That is the same approximate 0.5 volt DC for each 28 speed step increment.

 

The default speed table/curve can be modified by programming CVs 2, 6 and 5 as shown by the pink line to improve the locos performance and how it responds to the throttle position. This curve has smaller increments for the first half and larger increments for the second half, providing a two step performance curve.

 

External (up loadable) speed tables are developed by programming a value between 0 and 255 for each of the 28 speed steps, CVs 67 to 94. This curve will take the shape of the programmed speed step values. A typical curve is the one shown in green that progressively increases the difference between each speed step. An easier way than individually programming each speed step that would take about 15 minutes, is to use Decoder Pro. See the section on Decoder Pro.

 

Some decoders like the Soundtraxx range up to the Tsunamis, don’t support CVs 5 and/or 6. In the Soundtraxx Tsunamis to use a Speed Table you have a choice of 14 “Internal” Speed Tables and a “Loadable”, selected by programming CV 25 with a value of between 2 and 15 for the “pre-set” and 16 for the User Loadable” Speed Table. Check the applicable Decoder Instruction manual. If

 

As with any decoder, you have to enable Speed Tables by adding “16” to “your value. For a Long Address and Speed Tables with DC OFF, set CV 29 to “50”

 

Note: If you are trying to reduce your Tsunami’s Top Speed by programming a User Loadable Table CVs 67 to 94, if you don’t program CV 25 with “16”, the Tsunami will use the default setting of CV 25, resulting in a “Linear” Speed Table where you most probably won’t see any change in running. Don’t forget to set CV 25 to “16”

 

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PWM - Pulse Width Modulation The voltage.

 

Pulse Width Modulation, PWM, is a cheap and easy to manufacture technique to control DC motors. Some DC power packs and most DCC decoders use this technique.

 

PWM circuitry generates voltage pulses of constant amplitude, at a certain frequency. The wider the pulses, the higher the effective voltage, thus increasing the speed of the motor. This type of control, helps overcome the motor inertia (mechanical resistance), providing excellent slow speed.

 

PWM has the advantage of very little heat compared to developing a DC voltage which would certainly cause the extra problem of heat sinking the output components. The disadvantage of PWM is that it causes some motors to hum/buzz, very irritating especially in DCC with sound depending on frequency.

 

PWM frequency:

 

• Early “noisy” decoder - about 2 kHz.
• Later “quiet” decoders - above 16 kHz.
• Later Sound decoders - 25 kHz.

 

These quiet decoders and the sound decoders at 25 kHz still have pulses but at these frequencies are above the audible hearing range and thus are quiet, hence the terminology “noisy” for the low frequency units.

 

Frequency vs Torque: With the higher frequency to reduce the motors hum/buzz, the torque of the motor was reduced, thus making the slow speed performance, a little worse. Decoder manufacturers introduced extra pulses to combat this lower torque, namely torque compensation, dither, etc by intermittently introducing larger pulses at lower frequency to give increased torque at the high pulse frequency. These decoders now provide superb low speed running.

 

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Fine Tuning decoders to give better loco speed response.

 

With DCC you can adjust how the motor performs by adjusting the motor control CVs namely 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and any extra ones, see decoder instructions. Using CVs 2, 5 and 6, called, using the internal speed tables. Programming these 3 CVs by:

 

Note 1: Back EMF decoders like Lenz, TCS, Loksound etc, there is no need to adjust CV 2 as locos with these decoder move off smoothly at Speed Step, every time. I always use a Back EMF decoder in NON sound installations because of the superb low speed performance of these decoders.

 

Note 2: Some NON Back EMF decoders like the ones from NCE, have adjustments to improve slow speed performance and for NCE these are the CVs – CV 116 (T/C Voltage and CV 117 T/C Frequency).

 

• CV 2 Volts Start. Adjust CV 2 until the loco moves off smoothly at Speed Step 1 -3 out of 128.

With NON Back EMF decoders like NCE, adjust CV 116 & CV 117 to get the best “starting off” performance possible. 

• CV 5 - Volts Max, can be adjusted to reduce a loco’s top speed.
• CV 6 Volts Mid, adjusts the middle speed step, to change the linear speed increments to flatten the first half and make the second half, steeper, see diagram left. This improves the slow speed response by smaller speed increments per speed step, so the first half of throttle rotation may give say 30% of speed change.

 

Some decoders support external speed tables. This is done by individually programming a value into each of CVs 67 to 94 to give the desired speed curve. A typical shape of one of these is show in green in the diagram. To individually enter 28 CV values will require a lot of time, especially if adjustment has to carried out and to adjust many decoders. This is best done with Decoder Pro, see the section on Decoder Pro for details.

 

Some decoders offer further motor control CVs to give better slow speed due to the increase in PWM frequency affecting the motors torque. Manufacturers have coined different names for these including dither, torque compensation etc. Check decoder instructions as these are manufacturer specific CVs and all makers use different CV numbers.

 

Note: Soundtraxx decoders do not support CV 5 and CV 6. Select one of the 14 internal speed tables. To reduce a locos top speed, this will have to be done by programming values into CVs 67 to 94, as above by using the User Loadable Speed Table.

 

During the Initial Programming, I suggested the only CV that needs to be adjusted to get satisfactory running, was CV 2 Volts Start. This was to get rid of the lag on loco start up. Other fine tuning CVs are:

 

• CV 3 Momentum acceleration.
• CV 4 Momentum braking.
• CV 5 Volts Max
• CV 6 Volts Med.
• CV 116 – NCE CV for Torque Compensation Kick Rate, frequency.
• CV 117 – NCE CV for Torque Compensation Kick Depth, voltage.

 

CVs 116 and 117 provide a little extra pulses or kicks that improve the low end performance. When the decoders PWM frequency was increased to 16 kHz to produce the more desirable quiet motor control, it lost a little low speed oomph (torque) when compared to the noisy 2 kHz motor drive. Other manufacturers use different CV numbers and names for the same feature for the same reason. Adjust these CVs to the manual description or till you get the best results.

 

The easiest method to program these motor control CVs, and any other CV, is to use Programming on the Main POM. The benefit of this is that you get instant results out on the track without the inconvenience of returning to the Program Track.

 

Note: A lot of users want to check what value they have programmed into a decoder, by reading it immediately after writing it. This can only be done on the Program Track. When using POM to program, with the NCE Procab, you write a value to a CV, say CV 2 programmed to 25. Press ESC/PROG and the loco is ready to operate to test the change. If you're not happy, program CV 2 again, when you enter 2 for the CV you want to change, the last value that you programmed this CV to, in this operating session, comes up on the Procabs display. In this case 020 is displayed. This way you know what was programmed before.

Said another way, the system remembers (it does not read it) the last programmed value for that CV, so long as it was in this session.

 

Program all of these CVs until your loco has the best starting, low speed running, momentum for acceleration and braking. The CVs for torque compensation really provide much smoother constant speed low speed running. Tweak these for the best results. When using the Torque Compensation CVs, set CV 2 to 0 and program these for the best starting. Also see the manual.

 

Some of the Lenz and all of the ESU Loksound range come with Back EMF. This feature provides the best slow speed running and the loco always moves off at Speed Step 1 irrespective of the load. For more details and comparisons, see below topics.

 

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Back EMF:

 

Can motors used in our locos comprise of a 3 or 5 pole laminated steel armature spinning within 2 stationary permanent magnets. Each pole is made up of many turns of fine wire and terminated at a 3 or 5 segment commutator. The commutator is so arranged that it will cause the pole of the armature to be magnetically opposite to the adjacent magnet. The opposing magnetic fields repel each other thus rotating the armature. The same armature pole continually changes from a north pole to a south pole to a north pole etc, as it passes the two magnets thus continually providing a force. This is why the motor keeps rotating.

 

The size of the conductors (resistance) in the armature fields, determines the current flowing providing the rotating magnetic field. The amount of current flowing and the type of magnets used, determines how much force is provided by the motor. Can motors in our locos for the last 15 years spin at higher RPMs and are geared down with a typical 28:1 and 36:1 ratio NWSL gearboxes, provide motor that draw currents in the range of 50 to 200 mAs, allowing us to use much smaller sized decoders. A real good send to a modeller installing DCC decoders into his DC fleet.

 

The motor speed in controlled varying the pulse width of the constant amplitude voltage (Pulse Width Modulation- PWM) that inturns varies the current through the motor and the magnetic force, varying the speed.

 

When the current is turned off, between each of the pulses, the motor acts like a generator, producing a voltage that is called Back EMF (Electromotive Force). This happens in quiet decoders like the NCE range, at about 15,000 times a second.

 

Decoders like Lenz Back EMF decoders and similar, measure this Back EMF voltage and use it as feedback to tell the decoder how fast the armature is rotating. This then provides a constant speed of the loco, irrespective of the load. QSI and the Soundtraxx Tsunami use this back EMF to control the sounds of the decoder.

 

Setting the throttle to speed step 1 or any other speed, the loco moves off at this speed and maintains this speed. If the motor slows or speeds up, the decoder senses this by the reduction or increases in the back EMF, and it adjusts the width of the PWM pulse accordingly. This process happens many times a second, and thus enables a loco to maintain the slowest speed step continuously, irrespective of load and mechanical resistance. To the operator you cannot see this happening, you just see the speed staying the same.

 

Going up a hill or descending, this same decreasing/increasing back EMF is sensed by the decoder and the decoder adjust the motor speed. This is similar to a motor cars cruise control.

 

Consisting locos with Back EMF decoders.

 

Using Back EMF in locos that are consisted together can cause bucking that causes irregular speed and noisy operation. This is caused by each decoder adjusting its own motors speed and having a variable load caused by the other motor. The two locos are fighting each other. Some decoders have CVs to adjust the level of the back EMF feature and to also reduce its effect with increasing speed.

 

The amount of bucking and noise depends on the loco mechanisms and how much Back EMF effect is turned on in the decoder. Some users of multiple Back EMF consists have reported that they don't have any problems, but others do. Once again, your mileage may vary.

 

Operators of O scale where they have two motors controlled by Back EMF decoder have also the same variation in results some have a problem and some don't.

 

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Comparing decoder motor control features, namely Back EMF, Torque Compensation, Dither etc.

 

Stated simply, if you want your loco to move off from stationary at speed step 1 every time, irrespective of the train load, use a Lenz Back EMF decoder. But, yes there is always a proviso, the extra cost of these decoders, and this can be a significant percentage difference. Read on for the full explanation.

 

The relationship between PWM frequency CV 9, noise and performance (oomph).

 

DCC decoders use Pulse Width Modulation PWM techniques to control the motor, lights etc in the loco, but depending on the PWM frequency, may cause a buzz/hum from the motor. This motor buzz/hum varies, depending on the mechanism used.

 

In the early decoders, the PWM frequency could be adjusted between about 200 2,000 Hz (cycles per second) and many operators complained about the noise from these decoders. The noise from some locos is so loud that it had its own sound system, not too prototypical but it was cheap. This adjustment in most cases varied the noise slightly but the noise was still very evident in the noisy mechanisms.

 

For successful quieter operation, manufacturers increased the PWM frequency to about 15,000 Hz hence the term quiet decoders. The noise is still there, but higher than our audible hearing range. Most, if not all manufacturers now use this higher PWM frequency. Getting rid of the noise “problem” created a new issue. These quiet decoders caused the motor to loose its oomph (torque). Now was this a bigger problem than the original noise one? This also required adjusting CV 2 Volts Start, to get the loco to move off at speed step 1 or close to it.

 

An example of this is on my early NCE Version 3.2/3.3 software quiet decoders, I could adjust the PWM frequency using CV 9. Adjusting CV 9 to the higher values with 255 the lowest PWM frequency but this turned the quiet feature of these decoders OFF. This generally gave the decoder more oomph This lower PWM frequency gave a very noisy motor but the loco moved off at speed step 1. This defeated the purpose of introducing these decoders, but due to the loss of oomph, modellers played around with CV 9 to give the best compromise between noise and oomph. Adjusting CV 9 to 0, gives the highest frequency of 15,625 Hz, the loco motor is quiet but I had to adjust CV 2 to 40 (using 128 speed steps) on my NCE Procab to provide the loco to move off at or near speed step 1.

 

Manufacturers introduced an extra enhancement to the PWM voltage to the motor to overcome this loss of torque oomph, by adding an extra magic pulse of different frequency and amplitude. NCE calls it Torque Compensation and uses CV 116 - kick rate (frequency) and CV 117 - kick strength (amplitude). TCS call it Dither, and use CV 56 - frequency and CV 57 voltage. Digitrax call it Torque Compensation etc.

 

This now gave a quiet decoder that gave super slow speed and great performance (oomph) WITHOUT the hum/buzz from the motor/mechanism. Manufactures coined the term Silent Running decoders. The NCE and TCS decoders that come with the Torque Compensation and Dither do not support CV 9 (PWM frequency) and programming this CV does nothing. The decoder just seems to ignore this. For NCE all decoders now are shipped with version 3.5 of the software.

 

Low Speed Performance.

 

In the past I have used, NCE's D13SRs and N12SRs and TCSs T1s and M1s as my motor decoders. Depending on space availability and location against cost, would determine which one. Each of these decoders offers torque compensation or the similar dither for this enhancement to the slow running speed characteristics of these decoders. I adjust the torque compensation or dither volts and frequency CVs. The final product is better than a decoder without these features. My initial decoders were NCE and I adjusted the relevant CVs to achieve the best result.

 

NCE’s Torque Compensation and TCS’s Dither are a "fixed" amount of "enhancement" signal that does work. Using my electrical  experience this type of correction is what is called "open loop" (no feedback). This enhancement will not change according to what is actually happening, like when the load changes when going up a hill.

 

Note: If you don't adjust torque compensation or dither CVs for volts and frequency, or operate these decoders with the minimum values, the loco may need a higher throttle setting (higher speed step setting) to get the loco to move off from stationary. This may be interpreted as a slower decoder. As the dither or torque compensation introduces more oomph to overcome the initial inertia of the loco and possible mechanical resistance because of the higher PWM frequency, CV 2 may have to be adjusted to get the loco to move off at the lowest speed step setting. Also setting dither and/or torque compensation CVs, will affect CV 2 the Volts Start setting.

 

All motors generate voltage when the current is turned off. For the same reason the armature moves (opposing magnetic fields) when current flows in the coil with this coil in a magnetic field (permanent magnets). A coil spinning in a magnetic field, has current induced into it. This is how a generator works.

 

Back EMF is a variable amount of enhancement and value is determined by what is actually happening NOW - real time. This form of adjustment is called "closed loop" feedback. It does this by measuring the voltage generated by the motor, when the power is removed, and that is why it is called Back EMF. Since the current in a later "quiet" decoders is turned on and off at about 15,000 - 25,000 times a second - PWM, this happens very quickly and the PIC inside the decoder changes the "adjustment" to the base power signal to the motor, many times a second. This is a real time adjustment, happening all the time.

 

Thus by definition alone, Back EMF will be better than Dither, Torque Compensation etc as it is "real time" closed loop feedback, enabling continuous adjustment according to all the variables and in the case of our locos variable load.

 

When adjusting the decoders dither or torque compensation etc CVs, you will get varying results dependant on actual load at the time. In model railroad terms, when operating a train with a full load of wagons, shunting a few wagons and operating light engine, the loco start off results will be different. See also my NR loco experience about super slow running complaint.

 

For me, the Back EMF decoder, is all about getting the supreme low speed control with constant take offs at speed step 1 - every time and is not about "cruise control" going up and down hills, but the two go "hand in hand".

 

So that is the theory and these are the differences in Dither, Torque Compensation and Back EMF. I find the results from Back EMF decoder will be determined by the type and condition of the drive line used. This type of control is so good, that it can hide some mechanical problem like a binding mechanism etc, but so what. When the problem gets bad enough, the decoder will not be able to hide it any longer by its magic.

 

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Price comparison between decoders, choice, recommendation and what's in my locos.

 

For me in Australia, decoders cost are: NCE D13SRs about $23, N14SRs about $40. TCSs T1s about $30 and M1s about $43. Lenz Silver about $55, and Lenz Gold, about $60 (Feb 07) and they are always getting cheaper.

 

Depending the available space and for a steam loco, if I didn't want to separate the loco and tender, I would fit a D13SR or a TCS T1. If I wanted to separate the loco and tender for a steam loco, I would mount a TCS M1 between the driving wheels on the loco. The Z14SR is just a little too thick and wide. If located inside the boiler it was ok.

 

Obviously the electronics involved with Back EMF and the European price, makes these Lenz Back EMF decoders more expensive. This above comparisons is not totally fair, as price has not been considered. I have ONLY made comparisons of the features. Not everybody will have the same priorities as me in regards the way a loco starts off. Some are happy at just using the decoder at the default value, some are happy to adjust just CV 2, some want to use Decoder Pro for a User defined speed table, etc. Everybody will have to make a choice on which decoder he/she fits to a loco.

 

After fitting decoders to my somewhat small fleet about 30 locos, when compared to others, and to many installations that I do for others, I have done the sums. The extra cost of say $20 to $30 for fitting the Lenz Back EMF decoder that will give the best possible performance and always start at speed step 1,is worth it. This $20 to $30 is bugger all in the big picture, when for me locos start off at $245 for diesels and $400 for steam locos. This is why I recommend back EMF decoders. As of Dec 07, TCS has back EMF decoders. I hope NCE will make one soon. I will retrofit my popular locos with the irregular starting.

 

With all this said, I recommend (Jan 08) for:

 

·       Non sound installations a Back EMF decoder from Lenz, Loksound and now TCS (Nov 07).

·       Sound for Steam: The Soundtraxx Tsunami. In my NSW locos I use the Light or K36.

·       Sound for diesels: Loksound. Cheaper sound is the Soundtraxx DSD-101LC range of 4 diesel sounds/horn inc a great Alco sound.

 

As my ultimate aim is to have sound in all of my locos, I am somewhat controlled by what the sound decoder manufactures provide in their decoders. QSI now Jan 08, have the Back EMF on and the Soundtraxx Tsunami provides limited Back EMF, providing great slow running. That's my steam fleet covered, now for the diesels. My present diesels all have Soundtraxx DSD-100LCs or 101LCs. These are noisy low PWM frequency that provides reasonably good low speed performance. I have a couple of Loksounds in my 44s.

 

Note: When consisting locos, the effect of Back EMF should be decreased as the loco speed increases, if this possible by adjusting CVs OR deactivate the Back EMF , otherwise there will be a jerking operation of the consist. I will add detail here later.

 

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Adding a Sound decoder.

 

When adding a sound decoder to an existing loco that already has a DCC motor decoder, there are numerous options depending on the sound decoder purchased, and these are:

 

• Adding a Soundtraxx DSX sound only decoder. This setup will then be a DUAL decoder installation. See Programming Dual Decoder Installations.
• Removing the existing motor decoder and fit a combination motor and sound decoder the normal recommendation, but then you have a spare motor only decoder. You'll use it somewhere, Ill bet, so it wont go to waste.
• If you are using the more expensive Back EMF motor decoders from Lenz, ESU etc, you may want to keep this type of motor drive and fit a cheap sound decoder eg the Soundtraxx DSD100LC or DSD101LC or 090 series and use these combination decoder only for their sound only and another DUAL installation.
• If you have fitted a Soundtraxx decoder (prior to the Tsunamis), these may cause an annoying buzz/hum from the mechanism, even after adjusting CV 9 (range 0 255), that really spoils the operation of the loco. A solution to this annoying buzz/hum is adding a second decoder. See the Problem with Soundtraxx decoders
• The last couple of years (now April 07), has seen more brands of sound decoders, but before these came onto the market, most of the after market sound installations were using Soundtraxx decoders. With the Tsunami Steam and ESU Steam and Diesels combination motor and sound decoders, but these are nearly A$200 plus fitting BUT these later combination decoders come with quiet Back EMF motor control. Not everyone first starts of with the best and they use the cheaper available options only to find they are not happy with what they have fitted. The fix for this scenario is to fit a second motor decoder. And hence the DUAL Installation hassles come into play.

 

As with all evolving products, manufacturers are always providing better versions that generally are cheaper and smaller. It pays to sometimes wait, but when we finally take the plunge, we can only choose from what is available NOW and not what is promised to be released.

 

For my initial sound installation as of April 07, if I wanted to save a few dollars, try a noisy Soundtraxx decoder. See how to Test for whether the motor will buzz/hum prior to installing the decoder into a loco, below.

 

See Setting the Address for DUAL Installations and Programming DUAL decoder installations below for programming these installations.

 

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The problems with Soundtraxx decoders prior to the Tsunami.

 

I have numerous DSD-100LCs in my loco fleet, but they have a few problems that Soundtraxx has addressed and are not in the new Tsunami decoders. At the moment (April 07) there are only Steam Tsunamis, no Diesels.

 

The previous price for the DSD-100LCs were in Australia, were $65. They have been replaced by the DSD-101LC range that has 3 versions, an Alco and two EMD 1^st and 2^nd Generations at A$94. An 8 ohm speaker has to be provided. Steam Tsunamis are A$165.

 

The specific Soundtraxx decoders for example the 090 range are a little more expensive but have the same problems as the DSD-100LC and 101LCs. These are:

 

• Low frequency motor control: This causes the motor to buzz/hum and the level of this buzz/hum varies depending on the type of mechanism. Some of my locos, this buzz/hum is tolerable but others, it is so annoying. No matter what value is programmed into CV 9, it does not reduce the buzz/hum significantly. The best value for me is 230 (the highest PWM motor drive frequency. For these locos, I have fitted a second decoder, just for the motor control for example the smaller NCE N14SR or the TCS T1 or M1. This fixes the headlight problem mentioned below and provides better motor control with CV 5 Volts Max and CV 6 Volts Mid, that Soundtraxx decoders don't provide. I am used to fitting two decoders, as I have a few DSX sound only decoders.

 

• Cannot operate LED headlights properly: LEDs do not stay off when selected off, they continually flash. I have fitted the Tony's fix for this if there is no second decoder. This is a little fiddly but works great.

 

• Do not remember headlight selection: Only fix is with second decoder.

 

• Most annoying sound reset on the slightest hint of dirty track: These can be reduced somewhat by cleaning and minimal lubrication of the mechanism. Too much oil causes intermittent electrical pick up. I use Peco Electrolube here. At the slightest hint of dirt I still get them and others have reported these irritating sound resets. Soundtraxx has recommended for the DSX an addition of a external capacitor that is easily soldered to the relevant pads but nothing for the DSD-100LCs. For my DSD-100LCs, I have added my own Stay Alive capacitor.

 

Early DCC decoders had the same low PWM frequency motor drive and quickly good the title of Noisy decoders, that these Soundtraxx decoders have. Modellers complained about the buzz/hum that these decoders caused. All later model DCC decoder have what is called by many as Quiet Drive etc. See my PWM article.

 

I have two DSD-100LC steam decoders, but I find the sound from these not appealing (to tinny) but the diesels are appealing enough and provide idle sounds that the steam ones don't. I set all my decoders to turn off the sounds automatically, after 3 minutes of inactivity. I will put one of these steam DSD-100LCs into Thomas. The little kids wont notice the buzz/hum.

 

Most of my future loco purchases will be coming RTR with SOUND from Eureka Models that will have a QSI chip included for an extra A$100. This saves me buying ANY decoder and speaker and saves heaps of time and money. They will have back EMF and will be quiet.

 

If fitting steam sound decoders to an existing loco for the first time then there would be no alternative, just fit the Tsunami at A$165 plus speaker. This will give great performance with a back EMF motor control the ultimate as far as I am concerned.

 

My preference for sound has changed from one that wanted idling and more prototypical correct sounds to one that is just giving each loco a sound identity, a diesel hum or a steam chuff. This enables a generic sound decoder, hence the DSD-100LC but I have to put up with noisy non back EMF motor control. This is something that each modeller will have to sort out.

 

But dollars do count. When there is a fleet of sound locos, the ultimate roster, I have got sound into MORE locos for the same expense. Running eventually a timetable operation on my layout, each loco will only be run for 15 to 30 minutes instead of for hours, so even the type layout operation can determine what type of sound.

 

Alternative decoders Apr 07:

 

Diesels: Loksound & maybe soon Soundtraxx Diesel Tsunamis.

Steam: Soundtraxx Tsunami and Loksound

 

Note: QSI Solutions (A part of Tony's Trains) as of Jul 09 have released some after market QSI manufactured decoders.

 

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Sound Drop Outs or Sound Resets Why and How to Fix.

 

Sound "drop outs" or "sound resets" are caused by a momentary loss of power to the loco.

 

Locos prior to sound had these same pickup problems, but they "coasted" over the dirt and then picked up power again normally with possibly a slight hesitation in speed but mainly went unnoticed. With a sound loco, this same power interruption, you hear this interruption by the stopping and starting of the sound, a sound reset of the decoder. To reduce this:

 

• Clean the loco wheels and track. This reduces the resets but seem to come back very soon. A massive reduction in sound resets happened when I started to apply a little CRC 2-26 to the track after talking to local modeller that operate many sound locos. If you don't use some form of cleaner/deoxidizing agent like CRC 2-26, I suggest you try this. You'll be surprised with the results.

 

• Over lubrication can cause power pick up problems also. If the mechanism/bogies show signs of excessive lubrication, for example grease or oil everywhere, then dismantle the bogies etc and clean with a suitable cleaner. Apply only a drop of lubrication where necessary. I use Peco Electrolube for a good electrical path at axle box bearings on steam locos and axle keeper plates on diesels etc. Ordinary oil/grease, for example La Belle on gears etc.

 

• Fit extra pick ups on any wheel that can be easily done. This increases the pick up footprint. Brass and DJH kit steam locos with their half drivers and half tender pick ups are notorious for pick up problems. Also some steam locos have spilt chassis pickup like the 4-6-0 Austrains 36 with a tender that has 18 wheels on the track, that essentially has the same pick up as my 0-6-0 Tank engine. The 4 wheel pony truck and none of the tender wheels have pick ups.

 

• If the problem loco is permanently coupled to a second loco, then possibly wiring them both together to share the pick ups. This is really extending the pick up footprint to get trouble free operation.

 

• Add a body type pick up like the “Tomar” Shoe as I have done in 4-6-0 Bergs brass 30T tender steam loco, where the fitting of extra pick ups is more difficult.

 

• As a last resort and only after exhausting all other avenues first, add some form of Stay Alive Capacitor.

 

Two methods I have used are:

 

• Combination motor and sound decoders like the DSDs have to provide power for both motor and sound. To get positive results, I had to fit a 4,700 uF 16 volt electrolytic capacitor to some of my locos. See the Stay Alive article. The size of this capacitor is quite big, that may be a problem fitting it. Two Austrains 36s (including a Tsunami) and a 442, I was able to fit this 4,700 uF capacitor, but for a Proto 2000 GP 9, I could not. I used a second method.

 

• Use the DSD as a Sound Only decoder and then a much smaller 220 to 330 uF 16 Volt electrolytic capacitor is required. Of course you are going to have to add a SECOND decoder, just for the motor. Both the smaller capacitor and second decoder will require you to find extra room, but this may be easier than finding enough room for a large capacitor. This installation now makes the DSD similar to the DSX range of decoders that Soundtraxx had a modification for that showed how to add an external extra capacitor. This installation is now a DUAL decoder installation that can cause programming hassles. See above for adding sound to locos and below for the hassles and the 100 Ohm requirement for DSDs as sound decoders only.

 

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Programming DUAL decoder installations.

 

When using the Program Track for programming, to read CV values, there can ONLY be ONE decoder installed in the loco. The options for these DUAL installations are:

 

• Install a switch or link etc, to isolate the decoders for CV reads.
• Instead of using the Program Track, use On the Main POM mode of programming.
• In the event that one decoder has to read, on installation, make one of the connections of the decoder, say the red wire, be easily removed by de-soldering so that the decoder that you want to read, is still connected.

 

Once DCC users get used to POM, there really is no requirement of the Program Track, except for an initial test for the correct installation that confirms that there is no faulty or incorrect wiring (shorts). Mine sits under my work bench.

 

Setting the Address for DUAL decoder installations - options.

 

When there are two decoders in one loco, you have to address both decoders by:

 

• Consisting the two decoders: Using NCE's Advanced Consisting. You will have to decide whether the function or motor decoder is the loco ID number on the cab and make up another address for the second decoder. I suggest for the sound decoder, make this the loco ID number. This will enable ending function commands to the sound decoder easier. Make the motor decoder the loco ID number PLUS or MINUS 1 for an easy way to remember the decoder.
• Advantage: Programming each decoder is easy using On the Main by either pressing ENTER or typing the loco ID number when prompted. Decoders can be programmed when they are in a consist, without breaking up the consist.
• Disadvantage: 1. You have to remember the other decoder number. 2. There is more packet information on the track bus than when using the same address for each decoder. This should not matter for all but the largest layouts with plenty of locos. 3. When the loco decoders are consisted together using this method, the loco cannot be operated on another layout, without dismantling the consist and rebuilding it on the new layout.

 

• Using the SAME address: Each decoder is set up to have the same address. To allow individual programming of each of the decoders, set them up with the SAME Long Address and different Short Addresses.
• For operating the two decoders, CV 29 will be programmed to 34 so each decoder responds to the long address.
• To individually program a decoder, while operating on the Long Address using POM program CV 29 to 2.
• This will program BOTH decoders to respond to its own unique short address.
• Now program the individual sound or motor decoder.
• When done with programming, program EACH decoders CV 29 to 34.
• Now BOTH decoders will respond to the Long Address again.
• See below for a more detailed procedure for this.
• Advantage: 1. Operating address is the same. Can be taken to another and operated as is. 3. There is less packet traffic.
• Disadvantage: Slightly difficult programming sequence and more time consuming.

 

I have used both methods.

 

Using the Consisting method is easier and especially more practical if the loco is only used on one layout. There are other consisting methods apart from Advanced, but that is NCE's default option. You can choose.

 

Note: Having all your locos with the SAME Short Address (mine as the default 3), will NOT cause all locos to be programmed when using on the Main POM when the locos are being operated on their Long Addresses.

 

For my DUAL installs, I use the SAME ADDRESS option and use POM programming. Yes you might say there are some conflicting CVs, that when programmed this way, both will be programmed, so what. I have only ever come across ONE time that this was a problem and I cannot remember it now.

 

Individual decoder programming when using Consisting option.

 

Self explanatory as each decoder is treated as a separate installation with two different addresses.

 

Individual decoder programming when using the SAME Address option.

 

Prior to decoders coming with the Decoder Lock feature, some installations that needed 2 decoders eg. a loco with a Soundtraxx DSX (sound only decoder) and a motor decoder, programming of the decoders could have been a little difficult due to the clashing of decoder CVs. These installations prevented the reading of CVs on the Program Track, but they could be programmed using POM.

 

To program ONE of the decoders of a DUAL decoder installation with a CV value, that you don't want to program the other decoder with, due to a conflict etc, do the following:

 

1. Prior to installing the decoders, using a Decoder tester or test leads etc, connect one decoder a time to the Program Track.
2. Using the 1=STD option, program each decoder with a DIFFERENT Short address and the SAME Long address.
3. On completion if done correctly, the two decoders will respond to the LONG address (CV 29 will be 34 or 38). Finalise the installation and now the loco and sounds will operate using the Long Address.
4. To program a CV in ONLY ONE decoder, you'll use POM Ops Mode programming.
5. While operating the loco on the Long Address, select POM
6. Select 2 to program CVs..
7. Program CV 29 to 2.
8. This programs each decoder to respond to their appropriate (different) SHORT address.
9. Operate the decoder that needs to be programmed, on its SHORT address. Program the required CVs using POM. Only the decoder with the appropriate address gets programmed, while the other decoder, nothing gets programmed.
10. When finished, while operating each decoder on its SHORT address, using POM, program BOTH decoders CV 29 to 34, or 50 depending whether speed tables are used.
11. Now each decoder responds to the SAME address again, ready to operate motor and sound together, with only the one decoders CV/s being programmed.

 

For Joe Fugate's programming method of his BLI BlueLine diesels, see:

 

http://model-trains-video.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?150.0

 

 

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Using the DSD/Tsunami for Sound ONLY To read CVs without the motor connected.

 

When the DSD or Tsunamis are used as a Sound Only decoder, there is no load (motor) connected to the decoders Orange and Grey (motor) wires. When CVs need to be read on the Program Track, the Command Station instructs the decoder to pulse the motor (load) and it is the current of these pulses that the Command Station is able to display a CV value. Said another way, no motor no pulses no current = no CV value.

 

So that there are pulses for the Command Station to display (read) CV values, you have to connect a 100 Ohm resistor, to the Orange and Grey wire. This now provides a load, similar to the motor to provide a CV read value.

 

Under normal operation, this 100 ohm 1 watt resistor can get quite warm, depending on what speed and for how long the loco is operated, this may create heat problem.

 

Current flowing through the resistor depends upon the voltage applied to the resistor and under normal circumstances, proportional to the speed of the loco. The voltage from the decoder increases as the speed of the loco increases. Two scenarios:

 

• Low Speed: Approximately 5 to 8 Volts is applied to the resistor that will cause a current of 50 to 80 mAs (.05 to .08 Amps) to flow. Power and thus heat generated is 0.64 watts
• High Speed: Approximately 10 to 12 Volts applied to the resistor that will cause a current of 100 to 120 mAs (.10 to .12 Amps) to flow. Power and thus heat generated is 1.44 watts. A 1 watt resistor will create a lot of heat and will burn out with constant high speed running typical of a passenger train. Use a two 200 ohm 1 watt resistors in parallel or even a 5 watt if possible.

 

To eliminate the need of using a 2 Watt resistor, the DSD/Tsunami can be “set up” to use a Speed Table (CVs 67 to 94), by adding 16 to the value of what is programmed in CV 29 (see the decoder Manual if necessary) and program each of the CVs (CVs 67 to 94) with a value of ZERO. When the loco is driven, there will be no current through the resistor but when it is necessary to read CVs, it will be possible. Using Decoder make setting this “Zero” Speed Table, easier.

 

With this above “ZERO Speed Table you’ll be able to use a 100 Ohm ¼ Watt resistor.

 

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Test for whether the motor will buzz/hum

 

One problem when going to sound is that any mechanism noise can detract from the sounds from the decoder, so this now may become a problem. This will determine what mechanisms can have sound. For my local model mechanisms, K & M mechanisms have their own on board noise generators (noisy gear train) and precludes this type of mechanism from being used with a sound decoder.

 

Early DCC decoder (prior to about 2002) and all of the Soundtraxx range prior to the Tsunami, the PWM frequency of the motor control was about 2,000 Hz that in a lot of cased the motor to buzz/hum. Decoders using PWM frequencies in this range became known as noisy motor control.

 

To save on the disappointment of finding that a loco makes too much noise (buzz/hum), after spending a few hours installing it, when using any NOISY earlier type of decoder carry out this test:

 

• Connect, hot wire the NOISY decoders Red and Black wires to the Main.
• Connect the decoders Orange and Gray wires to a piece of test track. A couple of lengths of Flexitrack so you can get it up to some reasonable speed will be suitable here. You could even connect these two Orange and Gray wires to your layout and remove all your DCC locos. You make your own arrangements here. You get the idea.
• The output of the decoder is DC so it now can operate any of you non converted DC locos.
• Place your desired DC test loco on the track.
• Select Address 3 if the decoder is new out of the box or the address that the decoder was.
• Operate the loco.
• Now you can see if your 47, 44, brass loco etc makes too much noise and then you can decide whether to install this type of decoder. Too much noise, go with one of the Quiet decoders.

 

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Setting up and operating the Soundtraxx Tsunami on DC.

 

Since sound has become popular with the introduction of RTR models, many users want to add sound to their existing loco fleet.

 

The QSI locos operate on DC with a lag at start up, as you wind up the knob of the DC power pack to about 5 to 7 volts, enough volts to power the electronics in the decoder. At this point, the QSI now makes idle sound but does not move. Increasing the throttle further, now the loco moves.

 

Operating the direction switch while the loco is moving, sounds the horn or whistle.

 

DC operation of the Soundtraxx Tsunami is similar to above, except there is no capability to blow the horn/whistle. The Tsunami only provides CHUFFS and as such, will be only a basic sound decoder and no extra sounds.

 

To ENABLE DC operation of the Tsunami, it has to be SETUP on a DCC layout really silly but until they (Soundtraxx) change the default settings for the Tsunami, this is how it works.

 

One of the local modellers here, James McInerney setup his Tsunami equipped Austrains C36 to run on DC, by the programming the below CVs including some that were NOT mentioned in the Steam Users Guide. The CVs programmed were:

 

CV 3 to a minimum, say 10.

CV 4 to a minimum, say 5.

CV 12 Power Source Conversion = 1
CV 13 Analogue Function Enable = 1
CV 14 Analogue Function Enable 2 = 1

CV 29 to 38 DC ON, 4 digit addressing normal direction and Internal Speed Tables.
CV 63 Analogue Mode Motor Start Voltage = 10
CV 64 Analogue Mode Max Motor Voltage = 120

Note: After operating any loco on DC by enabling DC operation by programming CV 29, always set DC to OFF, when operating on a DCC layout.

 

Note 2: Pulse type Power Packs may also cause the Tsunami not to move. Select the pulses to OFF, if the power pack has this feature or use one of the old type rheostat controllers (H & M etc).

 

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Soundtraxx Tsunami’s Playable Whistle with NCE.

 

The Tsunamis have a “Playable Whistle” that is “played” by moving the Speed Wheel of the Procab while the holing Horn/Whistle button down. The loco’s speed does NOT vary as you rotate the wheel to vary the Whistle. To activate the Playable Whistle, you have to configure BOTH the Tsunami and the Throttle (only the Procab).

 

Digitrax has a patient on a “pressure sensitive” F2 button so NCE had to use the Speed Wheel (as suggested by Ken Cameron in a message on the NCE Yahoo List on Sunday, 26 September 2010). If NCE wanted to add a ‘pressure sensitive’ F2 Button, NCE could not, due to the patent, so we NCE users are saddled with the wheel for this feature.

 

Note: According to page 43 of the Tsunami Manual, once the Tsunami decoder is configured to play as a ‘Playable Whistle”, operating the HORN Button or “F2” Function of ANY throttle that has NOT been setup to play “Playable Whistles”, the Whistle (Playable or not), will NOT sound. For example any visitor’s throttle, other Procabs or ANY Cab04. This has been confirmed on my layout with two different Procabs. You CANNOT set up the Engineer (Cab04/5/6) throttles to play an ANOLOG HORN CHANNEL (Cab Parameters)

 

To set up the Playable Whistle, do:

 

Program the Tsunamis CV47 with 127 using either form of programming.

On the Procab/Power Cab, press PROG/ESC then 6 to access ‘SET CAB PARAMS’ menu.

Press ENTER and scroll through to ‘ANALOG HORN CHANNEL’ by pressing ENTER Twice.

Type 127 then ENTER (matches the analogue channel of the Tsunami).

Press ENTER to scroll through to ANALOG BIAS

Set to 8 if it's not set already.

 

The Playable Whistle effect, while impressive for modelling some particular prototypes, I would certainly not want this “continual’ blowing of the whistle on my layout during an operating session. An example of a loco/prototype using this feature, see this video mainly audio YouTube Clip (kindly posted by the Pat Flory on the NCE Yahoo Group on 26 September 2010) at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl2prJHhguQ

 

I wonder how popular this feature is, especially with the quirks mentioned above. Thanks to NCE, at least the feature is there for modellers to use, if they use Procabs. 

 

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Horn/Whistle Volume LOW especially after having enabling the Payable Whistle (above).

 

After enabling the Tsunami Playable Whistle as above, I n