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Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno shows how to program momentum effects to your Digital Command Control locomotives.
How to add momentum effects to your Digital Command Control (DCC) locomotives
By Angela Cotey | June 20, 2013
| Last updated on December 7, 2020
I have started the hobby over a year ago with bachman then realized how much better other systems are. I am a digitrax fan. I totally rebuilt my layout wired for dcc. 75% of my locos are dcc and sound. I didn't really change the cv values for 3 and 4 until recently and immediately noticed how much smoother they run with zero hesitation like I had before with both values at default settings. It makes operation of my locos smoother I was beginning to think I had some defective locos before I changed cv 3 and 4. So worth it if someone is debating weather or not to mess with cvs. It's a major bonus with dcc. Use it to your advantage.
Good video. Good information. But – next time show two or three stops with momentum. I could hardly see any change at all then it was over.
Flywheels keeps the rpm of the electrical motor of the model more constant and that make the model run smoother.
Michael
Flywheels serve a far more important purpose than simply helping to produce momentum effects. Their real purpose is to keep the motor turning (and thus, the wheels) when the locomotive passes over a spot of dirt on the rail. Ultimately, this leads to smoother operation for both DC and DDC locomotives. While the "all wheel" power pick-up of DCC helps with this problem, it does not cure it. By far the smoothest operating locomotives I have is my DCC power that is also equipped with flywheels. They almost glide across the track and seem to produce that same "heavy" feeling that is characteristic of the real thing. I rarely find them stalling, even on track that has not been operated or cleaned for some time.
John
With the advent of DCC and control over the momentum, why do they continue to install flywheels. Flywheels just seem to be a mechanical solution to what we now can do with electrical solutions in DCC.
Good Video.
great
These are great tips, however, you missed an important caveat with a brand that's becoming popular. That is MTH. With MTH, CV 3 and CV4 are indeed for acceleration and deceleration, but the are configured backwards: the number you use goes from 1 to 4 and it stands for the rate in Mile per Hour. So if you want little momentum, you use 4 MPH of acceleration or deceleration rate and if you want the maximum momentum that MTH has then you use 1MPH of acceleration or deceleration rate. Modelrailroader ROCKS!
i am a beginner, i have the Bachmann EZ Command. i have 15 to 20 engines with alot of functions. what can i get dcc wise that is compatable with my bachmann system with at least 20 or more functions.
I have the Bachmann Dynamis with the PRO box. I love this system. I have also owned the Digitraz Zephyr and to me Bachmann is way better than Digitrax and even some of the other "leaders" in the market. Bachman Dynamis critics should take note. Except for the price of the system, there are no other complains.
I have played around with this not long ago,one thing I noticed is when I changed dcc controllers my trains run slower with the more costly Dynamis then with the E-Z command. Maybe I will try Marc's suggestion.
i have been a model railroader since 1943 when Dad, Mom and I were on our way to Camp Pendelton to say goodby to my brother as he was leaving for the war in Japan. We stoped at a rest stop and I bought a copy of Model Railroader Magazine, have every copy since and have injoyed every issue since. Switching to DCC has been quite a journy for me. but I love it. I really enjoy your magazine and have learned so much from it.
Thanks for all I have learned from it. I love scrach building and still have many of the models.My model of the WORLDS LAEGEST TANK CAR is still running on my R.R. Thanks again for all the GREAT issues you have provided for all of us.
Momentum is one of the great effect one can get from DCC. An other one is top speed setting. Most decoder default top speed setting is 258. Lower it to half or even a third of this (+/- 80), add some momentum momentum, choose 128 speed steps and you'll think your loco has became real heavy !
I was very cautious about going to DCC when I was getting back into model railroading. It was the best thing I've ever done and I'm telling rails this is the only way to go. Trains run so much better and operation is a no brainer, so realistic with several loco being able to be on the same track next to eachother; yet operate independetly. Sound adds so much more!!!!!!I love my MRC Advance Prodigy.
I am a DC model railroader for 40 years but just got an MRC DCC at a train show and some decoders to put in a couple of locos. This article made sense and when it is on either my layout or the Klamath Rails layout will try this.
this was good.I learned agood tip .I am form long inland as you can tell .MRC is the best for fast program.thantyou
been skidish of changing cv values. Will give it a try sounds easy
I agree with Alan Goralski, lacking "DCC for DUMMIES", this is an excellent first step to programming.
Thanks Cody-I now have a better idea how to program the CV value.
I am a DDC user with about 6yrs. I thought the video was useful and users need to experiment using different CV's.
Thanks,
Tim G
I've been using DCC for over 3 years now and momentum was one of the first things I learned to program. Makes all the difference in the world to smooth operation. There are plenty of other CV's but 3 and 4 are some of the most important ones, and thankfully easy to learn early on.
I'm a Beginner in the world of DCC and not the smartest cookie in the world when it comes to electrical work. I wish they would publish a book entitled "DCC for Idiots" because I would probably own the first copy. This video was extremely helpful to me with Momentum Effects. Thank You to MR for another great expert video.
I"M a beginner in DCC I'm hoping i will get a lot of hints from expert tips
Thanks
Hank