I'm glad I don't have all these problems! "S"tring boB ____________________________________________________
--- In [email protected], "Edward Loizeaux" <Loizeaux@...> > > An easier way is by using JMRI/Decoder Pro and let your PC/laptop do the > diddling. It is somewhat automatic after you set the slow point and the > fast point and choose a speed curve. The computer does all the hard work of > matching one loco to another. Many experienced speed-matching folks report > speed matching of four locos in about an hour. That would cover an A-B-B-A, > at least. Of course, these results are AFTER the learning curve is behind > them and it just becomes a procedure to be followed without too much > experimentation. > --- In [email protected], "Edward Loizeaux" <Loizeaux@...> wrote: > > > > However my understanding is Lionel has altered the gearing on the second > run U33's and now they won't play nice with the first run. Thanks Lionel - > you just killed any repurchase from my POV. > > > > Poor Lionel. The first run was too fast and so S scale guys complained. > Lionel reduced the top speed and the S scale guys are again complaining. > They want it to go faster now. Poor Lionel, what can they ever do right? > > > > > > Boy, it seems we come up with more reasons for Lionel to abandon the > scale market than to continue... > > > > Human nature is strange, to say the least. But the stated problem has an > easy solution. No need to complain about anything. > > > > >> I can only assume any changes MTH makes to the former SHS drive > mechanisms will be greeted with the same enthusiasm. > > >> Rich G(ajnak) > > > > I cannot wait to hear the complaints when the MTH catalog comes out. A > field day for the pouters. Maybe I will go on vacation for a couple of > weeks. Get away from it all. > > > > >> What does concern me is whether different locomotives will MU or double > head. > > > > Speed matching is a proven concept with Tsunami and other modern NMRA/DCC > decoders. I am not sure why there is concern. Many HO guys here in the San > Francisco area do speed matching at numerous op sessions and club runs on a > regular basis without difficulty. > > > > >> I have a first run U33c, now with the pilots fixed to the frame, scale > wheels, Kadee couplers (actually I think they are Walthers) and a Tsunami > decoder. It's a bit faster than I would have preferred > > > > Excessive speed can easily be reduced by setting a CV for maximum speed. > Easy to do. No need to live with something considered to be too fast. > > > > >> Now I know some of my DCC friends are already thinking all you have to do > is diddle endlessly with speed tables and CV's to get it right. Been there, > done that. > > > > Diddling with speed tables and CV's is one way to get there. No doubt that > it is the hard way to reach the goal. > > > > An easier way is by using JMRI/Decoder Pro and let your PC/laptop do the > diddling. It is somewhat automatic after you set the slow point and the > fast point and choose a speed curve. The computer does all the hard work of > matching one loco to another. Many experienced speed-matching folks report > speed matching of four locos in about an hour. That would cover an A-B-B-A, > at least. Of course, these results are AFTER the learning curve is behind > them and it just becomes a procedure to be followed without too much > experimentation. > > > > Another approach, discovered by John Gibson, is to use some new whiz-bang > software product which does it all automatically. A loop of track is set up > with sensors at multiple points along the way. The "master" loco is run > around at various speed steps and the time/speed/location data is collected > and stored. Then the "slave" loco is run around the same loop of track and > the computer matches it to the "master" just run earlier. Apparently it > works well and is almost totally automatic in operation. No more diddling > with CVs at all. Of course, you need a loop of track, a computer, numerous > sensors, software and a learning curve to master. But then it becomes a > slam dunk. Or so it is reported. John Gibson has the details for those > interested. > > > > >> It works in some cases where the differences aren't great in the first > place but it is not a cure-all. There is only so much you can do when > designs and gear rations vary too much. > > > > Just about every HO guy in Santa Clara County would disagree with that > conclusion. Speed matching is done all the time in HO with different brands > of locos, different motors, different gear ratios and so forth. It works > when done properly. In the case of Lionel's U33, the gear ratios between > the first and second production runs were changed from 12:1 to 15:1 which is > about a 25% reduction in top speed. With the same motor and drive train, > this is not a huge difference and can easily be handled with speed matching. > If MUing two U33 locos makes my heart beat faster, I would certainly not let > a bit of speed matching stand between me and that joy. This is really not a > problem with a Tsunami in the loco. > > > > The ultimate test for speed matching is to run both DCC decoder-equipped > locos forward at medium speed with medium momentum. Hit the reverse button. > Both locos should slowly decrease speed, stop, reverse, slowly start up and > reach medium speed going backwards - all the while traveling at about the > same speed as each other. This is done routinely by several folks around > here and they do not consider it unusual at all. > > > > Trying to educate, not criticize. Hope this is taken in the spirit > intended. > > > > Cheers..Ed Loizeaux > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! 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