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Speed Steps:
because DCC is a digital system, locomotive speeds are defined
as discrete speed steps. This means that as motor voltage is increased, the
speed of the locomotive increases in a straight line from stop to full speed with
discrete speed values at each voltage.
Split field Motor:
Another term for AC motor
Standard Mode (14 Speed Step Mode):
the motor voltage/speed curve of the
DCC loco from stop to full speed has 14 discrete speed steps. This means that
speed control will be limited to just 14 steps. 14 speed step mode gives reason-
ably good speed control. Increasing to 28 speed step operation will give much
better speed control and going to 128 speed step operation will give really
excellent speed control. Standard mode is offered in many command stations
because there are some decoders on the market that are not capable of 28 or
128 step mode.
Start Voltage (V-start):
the voltage added to the motor drive voltage at the
first speed step. This adjustment allows you to trim the loco to compensate for
its motor efficiency.
Status Editing Decoders:
a DCC decoder’s status can be manually changed by
a Digitrax command station at any time the decoder is selectable.
Stealing a Loco:
overriding the in-use interlock and forcing the throttle to
select an in-use loco. This can result in having two throttles logged on to and
controlling one address. See also Slot Following.
t:
thrown indicates that the turnout is set for the diverging route. For op
switch set ups, consult your manual for the meaning of c and t.
Throttles:
Throttles are input devices that tell the Command Station what you
want the decoders to do. You can have many throttles on your system. The
number is determined by the capabilities of the Command Station you are
using. You can also use a computer to create “soft” throttles. Sometimes throt-
tles are also called “Cabs.”
TOP Locomotive:
Digitrax calls the locomotive that other locomotives are
consisted to, the TOP locomotive because it is not necessarily the lead loco in
the consist. The TOP locomotive address controls the speed and direction of
all locomotives consisted to it.