DCC voltage settings

[WC3026]

I have been looking for a few days on here and on the web and haven't found what i am looking for. I have all athearn locos three blue box and one ready to roll. I am using a mrc prodigy advance2. when I go to move my locos i have to turn the dial all the way to around 30-35 (using the 128 speed step) for them to move. what are the best voltage settings for the starting, acc, dec, and top. I know everyone has there own numbers but I am just starting to get everything going so I want some good running engines. Also all motors have been gone through cleaned and what not!!!!

[35tac]

I have Prodigy Squared and have played with voltage settings. Take a look at the instructions and you should be able to reset the voltage settings for each loco that is DCC. Check out the MRC DCC forum at MRC-DCC@yahoogroups.com if you havent yet.
Thanks
Wayne

[Mark R.]

All those settings are going to be different for each engine depending on how efficient the motor and drive is.

You should start with the Start voltage setting. Keep increasing the value until your engine just begins to creep at speed step 1. Changing you Maximum Speed is a matter of personal preference. If your engine runs way too fast at full throttle, you can lower the value to get a more reasonable maximum speed.

For Acc and Dec, again, this is just personal preference. I leave both set to 0 for switch engines, as I prefer instant throttle response when switching cars around. For mainline engines, I'll add a small amount of Acceleration and Deceleration which really smooths out the starts and stops.

Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast numbers anyone can give you for these settings. Every engine's performance will be different (even between what should be identical units) and everyone's preference as to how their engine performs will be different as well.

Just play with the settings until you arrive what works best for you.


Mark.

[bnsf971]

I forget other people don't know how to adjust the starting voltage. It is cv2.
You can program this on the main. Place your engine on the track, and start with speed step 1. Adjust cv2 until the engine starts to move, then you can go to the next engine.

[WC3026]

So If i am understanding this right I want to set the Start voltage to the point of the train moving on ONE? Also i know right now in order to have my loco go faster i have to have the TOP voltage set really high i cant remember what it is right now but should i set the TOP as kinda my limit for speed?

[WC3026]

OK I have been tinkering with it and got it to where i kinda like it but, i cant seem to get the start and deceleration to my liking. when I set those is the lower the number the longer it will take or the higher the number?

[35tac]

I would also suggest that a lot has to do with the equipment you are running and your expectations may be beyond the equipment capabilities. A lot has to do with the motor, gears and quality of those items so maybe you have the best available based on your motive equipment quality. Just keep on learning.
Wayne

[WC3026]

Well I got the loop done and have a train running right now, it is 10 cars and my roller track cleaner and i have it running at 20 on the controller and it is pulling it great!!!!!!
But when I start out it kinda jerks the train but not enough to derail anything.