With DCC I can MU Locos together to act as one, Correct? Because I plan to Install DCC into both Powered Loco on each end of my Acela, so they can act as one. After installing the Decoders inside, What are the steps, so I can MU my Acela Succesfully? Thanks [ 13 May 2002, 00:49: Message edited by: AcelaExpress2036 ]
You have a couple of options.... the easiest is (if they run exactly the same) to MU them using the same address,,,,, I guess it depends on which system you use... with my Digitrax Chief II, I typically program each loco with a unique address (usually the road #) and then use the function to add additional road numbers to the consist I am using. Harold
Giving both locos the same address is the way I'd do it too, but keep inb mind that you will have to chance a CV setting in one of decoders so they both think forward means the same thing! The other option is to wire one of thew decoders with the motor leads reversed. You may also have to chgange the wiring for the lights on the "reversed" unit so that they function properly.
Digitrax make consisting seamless as do other makes of DCC equipment.. As far as I know individual locos keep ther numbers and consisting provides something different for id use.
My Dgitrax manual says the DB150 command station offers three methods of consist control. 1.The basic consisting method is to program all the locomotives in a consist to the same address and run them on one throttle. In this caseall the locomotives must be headed in the same direction. 2. the universal consisting method handles consist information in the command station and allows you to consist locomotives with any DCC format decoder and analog locos as well. Locos can be added to and removed from the consistin any orientation. 3. The advanced consisting method handles consist information in decoders that are capable of doing advanced consisting. When you use advanced consisting, your operations are somewhat limited because you can't use all DCC decoders and you can't include analog locos in your consist. You can add a locomotive to a consist in either orientation and in any physical location in the train. When you send commands to the consist you use a single address and the command station handles the rest of the commands to the other locos in the consist. Since the address you will useto control the consist is not necessarily the address of the lead or head end loco, Digitrax has chosen the term "TOP" loco for this special address. It usually will be the train number. There is a lot more in the manual but this should give you some idea. [ 13 May 2002, 22:54: Message edited by: Robin Matthysen ]
You're correct on all those, Robyn and I prefer the advanced consisting for most things, but the reason I'm recommending the basic version for this application is that these units will always be run together. Basic consisting avoids the pitfalls inherent to advanced in that the two locomotives can never come out of consist, one will never change direction all it's own because of a bug, etc. I don't recommend using basic consisting for any application where the train will be split up, locos added or cut out, but only for static consists such as the Acela example given here.
Acela, What system do you have? Or, are you asking for a recommendation of a system? I am not really sure.
Actually I have no DCC system yet, I have a MRC Power Command 9500 Power Pack. I just wanted to get some suggestions on how I can MU both of my Acela Power Cars. I plan on buying a TGV Duplex and put it on the same Layout, that's why I need to go to DCC.
You don't neccesarily have to go DCC to run more than one train, depending on how you're going to operate them and what you're layout is like... If your two trains are running one at a time or at the same time but on different tracks, then standard DC power should cope happily with what you want and to my mind (but I'm ducking already! ) DCC is overcomplicating it unless it's something you really want to have.
In most DCC systems you can put as many locomotives in a consist as you want. You are only limited by how much current is drawn. This shouldn't be a problem with most people unless they have open frame motors, or old Athearns that draw a lot of current. My NCE System makes it pretty easy to add or delete locomotives from the consist. You just have to remember the leader. However, with any system is might be a good idea to keep a list of what loco is in what consist , what direction is forward for it and which unit is the leader. This will be helpful because all locomotives have a tendancy to get the 0-5-0 and mysteriously moved to another part of the layout. Consisting is one of the best things of DCC, you can put in speed curves etc so you can program locomotives with similar acceleration rates etc.
About locos with different start/running speeds.... With the Atlas system, can you adjust their running speeds so that when they are MU'ed together one is not faster than the other?
