Modelling the Railways of the NSWGR
Convention 25, 2007.
NOTE: There
are a few more notes than what is printed in the Convention Handout. The links
provided will take you to my DCC for Novices web book, to my Web site pages or
other web sites.
My DCC for
Novices web book or any pages on my web site
can be printed anytime.
DCC Sound, Programming,
Troubleshooting, Tips etc.
Now is the time to go DCC.
With the 620/720 Railmotors, AD60 Garratt and future releases
from Eureka Models, and the upcoming C35 from Austrains, all come with optional
DCC sound from QSI. Sound brings a new dimension to our layouts, that make them
come alive Now is the time to go DCC.
The independent control and many other benefits of
DCC, you are running trains and not your layout. The availability of starter
DCC systems from as low as $100, now means that DCC is affordable for all. An
excellent fully expandable starter DCC system is the $250 NCE Power
Cab, available from the Model
Railroad Craftsman. Modellers in
Using a Double Pole, Double Throw (DPDT) switch, DCC
can be connected to your existing layout, you can operate these sound locos on
DCC and then flip the switch, you can run the rest of your unconverted locos on
DC. I know of DC operators who have connected DCC this way and found the
benefits of operating DCC far too great (no more switching blocks etc). They
have converted their favourite locos to DCC (not all their 200 plus locos)
including adding sound decoders. This method provides a gradual changeover to
DCC that is the future in model train control as the modeller becomes more
demanding in how a model looks (detail) and how it operates (control) and with
sound. Once you have operated a sound loco, you only want to operate sound
locos.
Getting the best out of your Eureka Models Garratts and any QSI
equipped loco.
Out of the box, these locos come set to address 3 as
all decoders do.
Address: Program the value for each of CV 17 and 18 from the
accompanying manual, or from the CV17 & 18 Calculator
then program CV 29 to 34 for DC OFF and 38 for DC ON.
Note:
When using POM to program your QSI equipped locos, eg. changing the address,
you must disable the Verbal Acknowledgment by programming CV 62 to 0. When
finished CV 62 to 1.
Headlights: Garratt: For automatically reversing headlights
with the front headlight off instead of DIM when in reverse, program 6 CVs, due
the Indexed CV that QSI uses as follows:
CV 49 to 70, CV 50 to 1, CV 55 to 10, CV
49 to 73, CV 50 to 1 and CV 55 to 160.
Railmotors: Program CV 33 to 1 & CV 34 to 2 for the front headlight off when in
reverse.
Motor Control: The Garratt takes off at Speed Step 1, so CV 2 (Volts
Start) does not have to be adjusted. Using the provided speed curve, the
Garratt does not increase speed until speed step 8 (out of 128) and then
increases at the rate as determined by the setting of CV 5 (Volts Max) default
255. As the QSI doesnt support CV 6, you must have a straight line Speed Curve.
I prefer to set up a Custom Speed Curve in CVs 67 to 94. Much easier in Decoder
Pro. Note: CV 29 has to programmed to 50 or 54. See this CV 29 Calculator
Acceleration, Deceleration (momentum): Operate the Garratt with at least some momentum in CVs 3 & 4. This
provides a better sound when taking off. I program 30 and 10 respectively.
Consisting the Railmotors. If your DCC system supports Advanced Consists, you can set up both
units in a consist, even though there is a non powered unit. Address the
Railmotors by either number, and they run. Great for visiting operators, not
familiar with which number to use.
Chuff Rate: CV 56.12 Program CV 49 with 12 and CV 56 between 0 128. Lower values
more chuffs. Default is 32. See later about Indexed CVs.
Load Control: To increase the volume of the chuffs when going up a hill to simulate
the engine labouring, operate the Garratt at the speed you want then press F9.
You will hear a single toot. Wind the throttle up will make the sound louder
and the speed stays the same. When you have reached the top of the hill, wind
the throttle back to where you had it prior to pressing F9 (prevents speed
change) and press F9. Two toots acknowledges that you have exited the Load
Control feature and you are back to normal operation. You can operate F9 to
reduce the volume to simulate coasting down a hill, in the same fashion as
above.
Sound Options:
Later model sound decoders offer more options so each
operator can tailor the options to his own personal preferences. Utilizing all
the functions of these decoders like the QSI and Soundtraxxs Tsunami, makes
operating a sound loco much more fun that just driving the loco and operating
the horn/whistle.
For example for my C36 with a Tsunami, operating with
momentum (CV 3 - 50 & CV 4 20), the loco is stopped by operating the Brakes
F11 (mine re-mapped to F7), the loco comes to a stop with a brakes squeal
slowly as set in CV 61 (25) that adds to CV 4. When stationary, I operate F9
(mine F5) to fill the tender up with water. When complete press F9 (F5) and
waters stops and hatch closes. Pause a little, blow a short whistle, pause a
little more, press the whistle for a longer blast, press F11 (F7) to release
the brakes and the loco moves off at the acceleration rate set in CV 3.
Note: loco
will not move if it was stopped with F11. The values are my re-mapped functions
(also Tsunami alternative function mapping for F0 to F8 throttles. See manual).
Another feature I use, is setting the Quiet Bit (CV 113) in all my Soundtraxx
decoders that keeps all my locos quiet when the layout is initially powered up
and the sound only starts when the loco is addressed. Also the sounds can
automatically be turned off after a set time (set in CV 11). My locos dont make
idling sounds while parked in the Depot after 3 minutes (25 seconds for the Tsunami)
and if stopped at a station. A trade off here, in the Tsunami. Not all systems
or decoders support these last options, see your manuals.
Once there a few sound locos on your layout, I find
that sound has to have the visual connection to the loco, otherwise the sound
can be very annoying. I set my sound levels low. Following a sound loco around
the layout with the volume up loud, is really fun but very annoying to any
other operators or visitors a loco. I have heard people saying that they would
never have sound, because it gave them a headache after leaving a layout.
The above is my example f what can be done with these
decoders and makes the operating your like the real thing, all of us are
different, experiment to set yours up to your own preferences.
Use Decoder Pro for easier setting up of these complex
sound decoders. See later.
Sound Volume: See Adjusting
the overall and individual volumes. Decoder Pro makes it
easy.
Sound cutting in and out,
With sound on the layout becoming more popular,
modellers are noticing sound resets. This happens when there is a power
interruption from dirt, going over points etc that used to go un-noticed with non
sound locos but the sound starting at idle again on an operating loco, you now
hear these power interruptions. This is more common on steam locos, due
to the mechanisms having less than the maximum wheels picking up. The typical
design of half the drivers picking up from one track and half the tender wheels
picking up from the other track provides at best, minimal pickup with a really
short pickup footprint length. Similar short footprint on the split chassis
Austrains C36 that is only 2 inches long. Adding
more pickups reduces these sound resets. My Austrains C36 have problem
negotiating Peco Insulfrog points at slow speed without having a sound reset.
Essentially as delivered, the 4-6-0 C36 & tender has the same electrical
pickup arrangement as a 0-6-0 tank steamer. See my notes on Stay Alive
Programming.
There is no requirement of reading CV values to successfully
program a loco. In fact more than 95% of my programming is done out on the
layout using one of the best features of DCC Programming on the Main POM that
the medium to higher priced DCC systems offer and all later types of decoders
support. This allows programming to be done anywhere on the layout. Adjusting
the loco to takeoff with CV 2 is so easy and can be tested immediately. The
hassle of returning a loco to the Program Track programming then back out again
is eliminated.
Some modellers have said that POM programs all locos
the locos on the track. This simply is not true. For the same reason that no
other loco moves except 6035 when it is addressed, all locos dont get
programmed. POM is just like sending a command to move a loco, the first part
of the DCC packet has an address attached to it and only locos with this
matching address, responds. Same with POM programming, it has an address
attached to it, so it is the only one
programmed.
Programming QSIs including Indexed CVs
Programming many 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 CVs are 51, 52, 55 and 56 and require a:
- Primary Index P.I., set in CV 49 for all of them
- And for some, a Secondary Index S.I., set in CV 50.
An example of programming a CV that uses only the
Primary Index is CV 56.12 with a value of 32 is where:
56 is the CV where you program the desired value in this case 32.
12 is the value we program into CV 49 (P.I. the first pointer).
To program CV 56.12 with a value of 32, you must program the P.I. CV
with the pointer first. In this case
Program CV 49 with 12 the first pointer.
Program CV 56 with 32 the desired value.
An example of programming a CV that uses both the
Primary and Secondary Indexes is CV 55.70.1, with a value of 10 is where:
- 55 is the CV where you program the desired value in this case 10.
- 70 is value you program into CV 49 (P.I. first pointer).
- 1 is what you program into the CV 50 (S.I. the second pointer).
- To program CV 55.70.1 with a value of 10, you must program the P.I
CV first then the S.I CV, then CV 55.
- Program CV 49 with 70 first pointer.
- Program CV 50 with 1 the second pointer.
- Program CV 55 with 10 the desired value.
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 the earlier days of Soundtraxx CV
values determination and CV 29 variables.
If I have lost you in the above text, dont worry too
much, there is an easier way by using Decoder Pro that I have included later in
the presentation.
For determining the decoder current
capacity Use Slipping current not Stall current.
A loco motor would only ever STALL if the gearbox
jammed up due to some mechanical fault with the driveline. How often does this
happen, hardly ever, Ive never had it happen to me and others that have been in
the hobby much longer than me say that it rarely happens.
Why base the decoder current selection on a scenario
that rarely happens.
A situation that happens regularly, is the loco stalls
on a hill or runs into a stationary train, the wheels are spinning, not jammed
solid. There is a big difference between the two, the slipping current is only
about a quarter of the stall current. For example my NSW AR Kits 45 Class
diesel, Slipping Current = 320 mAs and the Stall Current = 1.4 Amps (1400 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 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. Later decoders including the
Tsunami, have overload protection.
20 of my locos have 1.0 Amp sound decoders and they
are still operating 3 to 4 years later. 50% of my locos have stall currents in
excess of 1.3 Amps. Most modellers that are using Soundtraxx DSD sound
decoders, are exceeding the specifications of the decoder, with no reports of
damaging decoders due to normal every day running, so no need to use the STALL
figure.
Decoder Installation Recommendations. also see Decoder
Types for specs of the ones I used.
With the cost of a loco upwards of $250, a load of 12
BCHs (Hi Rail) and van $585, this makes the cost of a train upwards of $800,
why would you skimp on the cost of a DCC decoder.
In my opinion, fit sound decoders like the Tsunami
first but for the best in non sound decoders, use Back EMF decoders that give
the ultimate slow speed performance and moving off at speed step 1 EVERYTIME.
No need to adjust CV 2 (Volts Start) and no lag in the loco moving off until
say SS 20 40 and even more variation when the loco is loaded.
Non sound Back EMF decoders from Lenz and ESU
Lokpilot, range from $50, thats approx $35 more than a Non Back EMF decoder.
Sound decoders for our existing locos.
See Sound for
Aussie Locos. The aftermarket sound decoder manufacturers (July 07)
are:
Steam -
The $165 1.0 Amp Steam Tsunami
in 6 versions with quiet motor drive & Back EMF with superb sounds
with load feedback with individual volume and equaliser levels.
Diesels -
DSD-101 at $94 with 3 versions, EMD 1st and 2nd
Generation and Alco and the DSD-090 at $110 with a few versions. All Soundtraxx
decoders require an 8 ohm speaker at extra cost.
All versions of the DSDs have low PWM frequency motor
drive that may cause a buzz/hum from your motor/mechanism. See how to test
prior to installing the decoder into the model.
ESU
Loksound: Both Steam and Diesels versions with Quiet
Back EMF motor drive. At $195 including a 100 Ohm speaker, these have the
benefit of adding your own sound or tailoring you own sounds by down loading
from the ESU web site any of the many types of sounds using the optional $265
Lokprogrammer. See AMRM June 07 issue. ESU has three Loksound versions: the 1.1
Amp 3.5, the 3.0 Amp XL 3.5 - good for O scale, & the 0.5 Amp Micro.
Digitrax: At the moment only one diesel model available.
May be difficult to source in
Uhlenbrock: $181 both Steam & Diesel versions plus speaker. Sound can be tailor
made using sound files at the Uhlenbrock web site using $108 Sound Load
Adaptor. See AMRM June 07.
QSI via QSI
Solutions. Release of sound decoders is
just around the corner.
Wiring up a DCC layout or connecting to
an existing one.
A lot has been said what is correct for a DCC layout
and how it should be done. Allan Gartners Wiring for DCC and Mark
Gurriess DCC
Wiring presentation will give you all the information necessary. They
recommend: Power Bus: 10 12 AWG Track droppers 18 22 AWG.
Many modellers have connected DCC to an existing
layout . Unless the wiring is of such a poor standard (that should be replaced
anyway), DCC will operate successfully.
Do the Coin Test (20c across the track) on all the
track to see if the booster cuts out. If there are areas where the booster
doesnt cut out, wire in a 12 Volt 27 watt 1156 automotive lamp or similar in series
with one of the track feeders to the layout or replace the wiring.
Install an Ammeter.
Install an
Ammeter to see what is happening on your
layout, real current now and not assuming what current is being used by your
locos. You will be surprised how little current the layout uses.
Do you have to make all your Points DCC
Friendly NO, I havent, so you dont have to.
The Achilles Heel of DCC is this very topic. Many
modellers ask Why do I have make my points DCC Friendly when they all worked ok
in DC - Whats this all about?
I can imagine a prospective or new entrant to DCC
being overawed by the prospect of having to remove all of his existing points,
to make a modification to them. In fact I would go so far as to say this would
turn off anyone contemplating switching to DCC and saying If I have to do that,
then forget all the benefits of DCC, Ill operate quite happily, switching
blocks swapping cabs etc the way I have been for years on DC.
I like many others, connected my NCE DCC system to my
existing layout and ran trains without lifting a point. I still have not made
any of my 100 plus points DCC Friendly. According to some of the DCC clinics I
have attended (except my own) the presenters talk a lot about making turnouts
DCC Friendly, putting the wind up modellers.
The reason people suggest making turnouts DCC Friendly
is the opposite polarity of adjacent tracks on a Peco Electrofrog or similar
point, a train moving through the points, the back of the wheels are very close
to the opposite polarity point rail. With an out of gauge wheel set and/or out
of gauge track combined with the rocking of the wagon/loco itself as it
negotiates the points, the back of the wheel can sometimes touch the open point
rail creating a short.
Momentary shorts also can happen on Peco Insulfrog or
similar points at the insulated frog V point where a wheel tread bridges the
insulation.
Modifying the points to be DCC Friendly is NOT the
only way to reduce these shorts and this method certainly does not have to be
done on your points, to operate DCC successfully.
Before ripping out on your existing points, I suggest
you operate the layout as is no modifications to your points and just see what
shorts you get. Maybe the occasional momentary short you can live with. This is
certainly easier than worrying about and possibly removing all your points.
Operating this way, you will be able to see what actually causes your own
shorts.
Correcting the out of gauge wheel sets and misaligned
track that cause these shorts in the first place will reduce shorts to a level
that may be quite acceptable and this is certainly an attractive alternative to
making the points DCC Friendly on your existing layout. This will save a lot of
time, effort and frustration. So to me making points DCC Friendly is not the
only solution to this common problem.
One of the benefits of making points DCC Friendly is
the power for the point rail no longer depends on the physical contact between
the point and stock rail or the little tabs/contacts under the point rail that
contact the underneath of the stock rail as it is case of Peco points. This
becomes even more important when the track has been ballasted for a few years.
My solution here is to add feeders and links, when
these contacts fail by installing a switch of some kind that changes over the
power to these point rails when the turnout is operated. You never know, it may
never fail, only time will tell. This then is a gradual repair compared to a
monumental time consuming job when first installing DCC.
DCC Friendly points still have shorts when an operator
runs against an incorrectly set of points. To correct this problem, the
operators have to be more vigilant, it is just a matter of routine, to check
your road.
There are no more shorts on a DCC layout than a DC
one, its just that these momentary shorts that went un-noticed in DC, shut down
the booster in DCC removing all power from the layout.
Another method to eliminate these shutdowns from
momentary shorts, is to use 1156 a 12 volt 27 watt automotive brake lamp. See 1156s for Power Division
for further details.
When laying points and track on a new layout or
extensions on an existing layout, you can decide if you make your turnouts DCC
Friendly as this is so easy prior to installation.
See what Ed Loizeaux, one of the authors of Digital
Command Control DCC for Beginners said
about this topic, in a email on the NCE-DCC Yahoo group on May 26,
2007.
If you intend to have a few operators on you layout or want
troubleshooting a short much easier, wire your layout with Power Districts using
DCC circuit breakers or 1156s (as I do). When there is a short, only that area
is affected, while the rest of the layout remains powered providing a hassle
free operating session and no more whose got the short.
I have divided my layout into towns. This is due to
when an operator is shunting and he runs against an incorrectly set point, only
he looses power. I use 1156s and have divided my double deck layout into about
15 districts (11 towns on the latest plan) and a few divided yards where there is
a possibility of two operators in one town district. Using the $2 1156s makes
dividing the layout real easy.
Installing
Gaps. Both rails are gapped by either cutting a slot (gap)
with the Dremel or installing insulated track joiners in the track/s in between
the Power Districts where shorts will be at minimal risk. The adjacent rails
must have the same polarity. Prior to operating trains, connect a 12 volt lamp
or a voltmeter across the gap on the same rail with the power on. If the lamp
illuminates, or there voltage, reverse the wiring to one of the Power
Districts.
The use of 1156s for power division, located at each
location area above the layout or in a line side building, provides a very
visible warning of a short.
Joe Fugate on his Siskiyou
Lines layout, shows how he uses 1156 with a short video
and see my article Using 1156s
for more details of using this cheap very effective power divider.
Speed Matching locos.
Method 1. Find
your master loco that you will match all your other locos to. Consist a second
loco to this master and keep them apart by 6 inches, 15 cm. Operate the consist
& adjust the other loco to match the master by programming CVs 2, 5 and 6.
While speed matching set CV 3 & 4 to 0.
Soundtraxx and QSI decoders dont support CV 5 and 6.
This is why I have used Decoder Pro to make my own Speed Tables by loading my
own values into CVs 67 to 94.
Method 2. I
want the speed of all my locos to be 10 scale mph at 50% throttle ie. at Speed Step
14 (28 SS) or 64 (128 SS). This is done easily in Decoder Pro (that I will
demonstrate later).
Using the Customized Speed Tables in Decoder Pro,
initially set a flat curve and set speed step 14, CV 80, so that the loco
covers 3 feet in 17.8 seconds (10 smph for HO). Then I manually adjust speed
steps (SS) 1 to 13 for a gradual rise to SS 14, then I manually adjust SSs 15
to 28, to make an exponential curve to the maximum speed. This method provides
slowly increasing speed curve to SS 14 where the locos speed is 10 mph, a
typical steam loco under load climbing speed that each operator will be able
have a speedo reading or similar knob position, for the operators on my layout
banking over the Liverpool Ranges a little easier so that they know locos are
going at the same speed at SS 14 or 64. This will reduce the possibility of
locos & wagons taking that dreaded fall to the floor and provides maximum
speed if necessary.
What to do when a Loco does not Respond
in DCC.
Occasionally a loco does not respond to a command.
This may be due to something that happened on the layout, some gremlins
somewhere or operator error while programming. To rectify a dead loco, it may
be as simple as just moving it to another piece of track. But if this doesnt
work, go through the below list, until the loco comes back to life.
Most problems with decoders happen after there has
been a short on the layout.
After moving the loco to a known powered piece of
track and checking if it works. Place the loco on the Program Track and read CV
29 and make sure it is set according to what address you are trying to use.
Apart from trying to read other CVs like CV 17 and 18 that can be reset to the
correct values, as all other CVs can be also, a RESET is normally the easiest
fix for any problem. If you have a special speed curve, (CV 67 to 94) the
values of this may be lost. If you are using these, then I am sure you know all
of this.
- Power: Move loco to a known clean track. This happens too often not to
consider first.
- Consist Address the loco is still in a consist. Program CV 19 to 0.
- If the loco has a QSI chip, it may be Shutdown mode If F9 was inadvertently pressed once while the loco is stationary,
the loco enters shutdown mode. The decoder will not respond to any
commands until F6 is pressed TWCE to resume normal operation.
- Voltage too High - If a QSI
equipped loco, does not run on an Atlas or Roco DCC system then track
voltage may be too high > 22 volts DCC. Add
diodes as per this article.
- Command station may be 128
speed steps & decoder only supports 14 speed steps. configuration.
Reset C/S
- RTR loco no response for the first time Access changeover switch and select DCC.
- Manual Notching: may be set in
a Soundtraxx diesel. Press F5 or select auto notching.
If the loco still does not work, place the loco on the
Program Track and read the following CVs.
- If Cannot read CVs or something similar shows on display, dirty wheels, faulty pickups or damaged decoder,
rectify or reset. If it is a sound loco like the Garratt, your DCC system
may need a Program Track Booster, to read CV values. See below.
- CV 29 may be set for the
other address. Short Add, set to 2 & Long Add, set to 34
- CV 3 Acceleration set to
high, reset to 0
If all else fails to get the loco to work do a reset.
- Reset the decoder on the
Program Track by programming the below CV with the appropriate value.
After a reset the decoder only responds to 3.
Soundtraxx All
decoders Program CV 30 with 2 and cycle the power.
QSI Program CV
49 to 128, CV50 to 255 and CV 56 to 113.
Loksound & Digitrax
Program CV 8 with 8.
NCE & TCS
Program CV 30 with 2 and cycle power.
Lenz Program CV
8 with 33.
Programming difficulties for a new
Sound Loco on the Program Track.
Some DCC systems cannot read CVs of some sound locos.
Confirm running of loco on default short address if possible and then Program
on the
Decoder Pro.
This is a great programming utility available free from the Internet.
At this page, go to A Quick Tour of Decoder Pro to see how to set it up. Most
medium to higher priced DCC systems like NCE, Lenz, EasyDCC, Digitrax etc have
a serial port that your computer/laptop connects to with a Serial Cable. If
your computer uses USB and no
Decoder Pro makes for much easier programming of:
- User Defined Speed Tables.
- Selecting the desired light and sound effect from a list of
options.
- Motor tune up parameters.
- A file for each locos decoder CV values no need to record any CV.
- And many other options.
Complex sound decoders like the Soundtraxx Tsunami and
QSI sound decoders, are so much easier to setup using Decoder Pro. Just like
many model railroad groups a JMRIusers
(Decoder Pro) group has been set up at Yahoo Groups.
Note: Once
you have Decoder Pro loaded and connected to your system, open up the decoder
page using the Comprehensive selection ONLY.
There are many other features, to numerous to mention
here.
Connecting and using Decoder Pro.
If Decoder Pro doesnt work, clean
the wheels and track and retry.
NOTES:
- For NCE users DONT forget to select 2006 and Later for the latest
EPROM.
- If the decoder is not there, select DEBUG tab and Recreate Decoder
Index
- If that does not work, download a later version of Decoder Pro.
- The latest version as of July 27, 2007 is version 1.8.
- Join the Yahoo Group JMRIusers and Bob Jacobson lets us know about
the latest versions and updates.
- When I updated to 1.8, I just clicked on the applicable link
(Windows for me) and selected RUN. This downloaded the new version then
the Installer that popped up, took me through the correct sequence to
upgrade my Decoder Pro. Turn off computer for the new version to take
effect. It is easy to upgrade.
- Under normal circumstances, I never use the latest version of
Decoder Pro. I let the pros out there test it, find and report any bugs
that sometimes happen. This way I always have a working version. The
upgrades can be minor or major. Read Bobs instructions.
Connecting Laptops to the DCC system.
Most laptops these days dont have a
NOTE: The Serial Cable has to be a STRAIGHT THROUGH
Cable, that is Pin 2 to Pin 2, Pin 3 to Pin 3 and Pin 6 to Pin 6, NOT a NULL
MODEM Cable that some computer shops will try to sell you. Make sure you get a
straight through cable.
Purchase from Jaycar:
- USB to DB9M RS-232 Converter (Part No XC-4834) and
- Serial Cable DB9 Male to DB9 Female (Part No WC-7534).
I use a USB Adaptor from Marvel, model no UC-232A.
Using Pre 2000 XP, you may have to load the applicable
driver from the CD.
Yahoo Groups and Microsoft Outlook.
There are thousands of groups that anybody can join by
making a Yahoo Profile at Yahoo Groups.
Yahoo Model
Railroads have many related model railway groups, including Aus Model
Rail a specific group for us Ozzie modellers, NCE, Soundtraxx,
QSI,
Loksound,
Lenz
etc.
Viewing all your emails can be more easily done by
using Outlook Express instead of viewing them at Yahoo Groups by and setting up
Rules that are applied to all incoming emails to sort out your train stuff in
groups separate from your Inbox at Rules and Alerts in M/S Outlook.
A few, very useful DCC Links.
CV 29 Calculator
CV 17 & 18
Calculator
NMRA DCC Standards Wire Gauge & Current
Scale Speed Converter
Ohms Law Calculators
Resistor
Colour Codes
LEDs & LED
Calculators
Any Questions about DCC, sound layout
wiring etc.
Dont hesitate to contact me on 02 9402 8929 or mammann@optusnet.com.au
My web site Main North HOME is at:
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn/index.htm