It’s like “cruise control for your loco.” If speed stabilization (back emf) is not
scaleable, you can have the pushy pusher problem if you run consists.
Speed Steps:
because DCC is a digital system, locomotive speeds are defined
as discrete speed steps. 14 forward and 14 reverse speed steps are generally
considered the minimum acceptable number of 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
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 & 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 DCC
throttles 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 & direction of all
locomotives consisted to it.
Transponding:
The use of transponders installed in rolling stock and transpon-
der detectors installed in the layout to allow the system to determine the loca-
tion of a particular piece of rolling stock on the layout. Other information about
the rolling stock such as speed, direction, etc. can also be determined.
Transponding is useful for automation of staging yards, dispatching and for
realistic sound systems.
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