Modelling the Railways of the NSWGR Convention – 25, 2007.

Main North HOME

How I divided my layout.

 

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 Sydney, contact me and I will come to your layout, connect my Power Cab and we’ll be running a few of my locos in < 30 mins.

 

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 doesn’t 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 Soundtraxx’s 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 don’t 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 don’t 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 QSI’s 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:

 

 

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:

 

 

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, don’t 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, I’ve 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, that’s 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:

 

Soundtraxx:

 

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 Australia.

 

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 Gartner’s “Wiring for DCC” and Mark Gurries’s “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 doesn’t 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 haven’t, so you don’t 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 - What’s 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, I’ll 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, it’s 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.

 

Power Districts:

 

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 don’t 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 loco’s 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 doesn’t 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.

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

·        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 Main. Programming booster that are available are the “Power Pax” and “PTB 100”. If installing Tsunamis ONLY use PTB-100 as there have been reports that the Power Pax cannot read the Tsunami CVs. 

 

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 Serial Port then you will need a USB to Serial Adaptor. Note: To use Decoder Pro you will have to have a version of “Java” set up on your computer. The above link explains how to install Decoder Pro and Java.

 

Decoder Pro makes for much easier programming of:

 

 

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 doesn’t work, clean the wheels and track and retry.

 

NOTES:

 

 

Connecting Laptops to the DCC system.

 

Most laptops these days don’t have a Serial Port, they have a few USB Ports instead. A USB to Serial Adaptor will be required on top of the “normal” Serial Cable.

 

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:

 

  1. USB to DB9M RS-232 Converter (Part No XC-4834) and
  2. 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

Wiring for DCC

Ohms Law Calculators              Resistor Colour Codes                     LEDs & LED Calculators

 

Any Questions about DCC, sound layout wiring etc.

 

Don’t 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