Programming CVs including CV29 at Chadwick Model Railway | 131.

[@wilton34041]

Excellent video Charlie, so useful and put across very well for us watching to learn and understand. I appreciate the effort you must have made to produce this. Some very useful informative comments below too. Looking forward so much to the next one (as I do for all your videos). Phil B.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Phil, that’s very kind of you to say so mate. Regards Charlie

[@Stickiedude]

I don't have model railway. Never had one and probably never will. But each week, I'm excited when you release a new video.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

What a heartwarming comment Travis.

[@garryj99vangucci]

Same here, my partner and I have really enjoyed watching these videos during lockdown.

[@gordonholmes3856]

most informative please keep up the good work always willing to learn

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Gordon, it’s great to have you on board mate for my railway journey. Regards Charlie

[@michelepulpito8131]

Thanks Mr. Charlie for you easy explanation of CV. Regards from Michele, an Italian resident in Moscow

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’m so pleased that you found it interesting Michele

[@albertarkwright3349]

Thanking you again for your diligent work. Truly liked how the CV29 calculations came up with 34/35. I use these as my go-to default values in CV29 when no other factors require a different setting.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

My thoughts exactly Albert. Regards Charlie

[@williamaddison1637]

Charlie, whenever I'm running into difficulties on my model railway - as I am at the moment with CVs, a look back at some of your instructional videos on the appropriate topic is such a tonic in terms of building up my confidence to get things right. Thanks so much for the lullaby, it was greatly appreciated and has helped me to get the CVs on my locos just right for me. William

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks William, I’m so pleased that you find my videos useful. Regards Charlie

[@georgeconnery4910]

Hello Charlie, I'm an ex helicopter pilot living in Norway, many thanks for your superb, informative vidoes. I have recently returned to model trains after a lay-off of ....35years! I bought a Fleischmann N-scale digital set last Xmas. Very restricted space allows a small expansion this winter to 4 loco's and some extra track and points. I'll be refering to your excellent video on CV programming to add some realism to train movement charateristics! Many thanks, George Connery, Norway

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks George, for such a heartwarming comment. Good luck with your project, regards, Charlie

[@VR-ym8ys]

A long, long time ago I was into model railroading. I had big plans for a layout, I bought a sheet of plywood and put an oval on it to start with. It turned out that was the extent of my layout, I lost my energy and I am sure there are a lot of you out there that feel with me. Then I got married, had children and grew up, so to speak. Now I am 65 and I am being tempted to start again, but then I see how expensive it has gotten in the past 40 years and that puts an immediate halt to my plans. I think I am just going to have to continue watching you.

[@grahamparkyn1590]

I’m in the same boat as you V R, just watching ☹️

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

It's sill a great hobby, even virtually.

[@martinpattison4018]

I would recommend this video to anybody who has a DCC layout. You have put a lot of effort into making this video and included some very useful links. Charlie, you are the UK's equivalent to America's DCC Guy. Martin. (Thailand) (The DC guy).

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Martin, I to watch Larry And we do email each other from time to time. Regards Charlie

[@davidstokes8441]

Thanks Charlie - it gets LESS complicated when you explain it.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’m so pleased that you found it interesting David.

[@mountainman0]

excellent video again thank you charlie. covers everything from basic for beginners thru to advanced for experts. one of the best plain language guides on youtube.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Todd, you’re far too kind. Regards Charlie

[@davidoickle1778]

DCC has always been intimidating to me but this is by far the best explanation I've ever seen on the topic. Thank you Charlie, I shall raise one to your good health.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it David. Stay safe. Regards Charlie

[@johnstephens649]

Run DC myself and as I have some very old Hornby Dublo and Triang locos, never considered DCC as an option. Found this very interesting to learn more how DCC works and what may be possible long term.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it John. Stay safe. Regards Charlie

[@simonhi99]

Another great video Charlie. 8 bits make a byte, the values double for each bit...1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 & 128. If you add them all up you get 255. So if all 8 bits are set to 1, ie. ticked, you again get your value of 255.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

You’re pushing on an open door on this one, it’s about the only thing I did know. Regards Charlie

[@barryturner2916]

Hi Charlie, I am `DC world` but still found this video informative, interesting and a pleasure to watch, keep them coming. Take care and stay safe see you on the next one..

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Barry, you’re too kind mate.

[@TheRip72]

Excellent explanation. DCC doesn't have to be complicated, but offers a lot of flexibility for those who want it.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it buddy.

[@bill1047]

Having watched Charlie for longer than I can remember I find that every video now has the same items I have bought. It’s like I’m finally prepped for school. We’ll soon be seeing a Charlie Bishop range :-)

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

You’re too kind Bill. We both realise that ..... “The sour taste of poor quality lingers long after the sweet taste of low-cost is forgotten”!

[@haltonwarrenoo9]

Hi Charlie Another great video. Your step by step approach and showing the actual effect on the engines is wonderful, easy to understand and follow. Not only do you show us how but your videos give us the confidence to step in in and do it ourselves.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

What a heartwarming comment Mark, you’re too kind. Regards Charlie

[@THEFORBIDDENMAN-lk7of]

WOW WHAT A LOT OF INFO PACKED IN AND I LOVED THAT TRACK VOLTAGE GISMO AT THE END MUST WATCH THIS AGAIN CHARLIE - AND WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE DO HAVE FUN WITH YOUR LAY OUT

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks mate, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie

[@martinrandall3735]

Excellent Charlie. The 'basics' of DCC have always felt a bit over my head and this really helps.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’m so pleased that you found it interesting Martin

[@JimMarshStonewashed]

Hi Charlie. Just searched for this video while I’m adjusting some of my CVs. I’m retired from nursing and this video reminded me of how nurses used to make up words to fit the situation. Great video but there is no such word as ‘deacceleration’. I think the word you were looking for is deceleration. Made me laugh and took me back to my nursing days.😄 keep up the great vids. Jim

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’ve repeated the same mistake any more current video, clearly I will never learn. Regards, Charlie.

[@extra-dry]

I wish I saw this video years ago when you filmed it. I bought the interface for JRMI software, which appears to be somewhat similar to the programming PC based system that you use. More matter how much I have read, I have never er completely understood CV's, especially CV29. I had an Athern "Big Boy" that ran so slow, it drove me crazy, yet the chugging sound sped up like normal. It turned out there was a mismatch between CV29, the speed step tables, and CV 2,3, 4,5,& 6. Every repair shop I talked to, told me it was impossible, and it should be either/or, but not both. The loco was supposedly set back to default several times. After watching your videos, I finally understand the combinations on CV29. Thanks Charlie...

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I feel your pain, John, I struggled with CV 29 for months, until the penny dropped. Regards, Charlie

[@RoyEltham]

That was quite a lullaby, Charlie. Very nice explanation and demonstration of CV settings.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Roy I’m so pleased that you found it interesting.

[@Alan_Anderson]

Thank you for the clear and thorough explanation of this topic - I may have mentioned in an earlier comment that I am not a DCC modeller, but I do still find the technology that is available fascinating, and you never know where my next steps in modelling may take me... I remember reading in a copy of the Model Railway Journal many, many years ago an article about realistic operation; one of the things that stuck with me is that locos, especially steam locos, are generally not capable of coming to a halt and immediately setting off in the opposite direction - I think with the steam locos it is the time taken to wind the reversing gear, and I imagine there are similar, though maybe less time-consuming, changes that are required in a real diesel or electric loco that take a few seconds before the loco can reverse. Getting to the point (sorry!!) when you were setting the acceleration and deceleration rates for your Hymek, I was shouting at my screen about a delay before beginning to reverse - I did not pick up an ability to set this and I wonder if this is something where DCC is currently missing a trick? It may, of course, be that there is another CV in there somewhere that is for exactly this purpose! Thanks again, Alan

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Many thanks, Alan for such an in-depth comment. You are of course right that reversing a locomotive is not an immediate function. Time should be taken whilst the logo is still, to allow a few seconds for the mechanism to be reset. Regards Charlie.

[@philstrainlayout]

That made CV's so much more clear. I think I might go through all my engines again and fix all the messups I've done to them all.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Good for you Phil.

[@timsully8958]

Thanks Charlie. The more I find out about DCC the less daunting it is becoming and therefore the more likely my loco shed layout will become a reality when we move later this year. I have already learnt plenty but to see how you go about it all step by step has been a great help! 👍 Thanks mate. I have been really poorly this week after complications with my jab, but this has given me a right lift! Have a great weekend mate 🥃👍

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Sorry to hear about your jab complication Tim. Hopefully the video is a good tonic. Regards Charlie

[@nigelduckworth4419]

Absolutely first class video with every nuance explained for dummies -which is me. Although I have DCC, I only have the rudimentary Bachmann controller but hope to upgrade soon, and your video has given me the confidence that it will be money well spent. I scraped maths O level but, as an obsessive about scale speeds, I managed long hand (i.e without a calculator) to calculate different scale speeds for my layout at 10, 15, 20 and 25 mph (it's not a huge layout). But I could have done with the Elgin diagram to save my marbles from over exertion.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’m so pleased that you found the video useful. Regards Charlie

[@davidgreenwood5160]

Brilliant Charlie. So useful for me to get a better idea of CVS and what they do. Many thanks Dave G

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’m so pleased that you found it interesting David.

[@terryrobinson7371]

As ever thought provoking, and I think I understand about 90% not sure about the direction issue, but I’ll watch it again and see if I can grasp it. Thanks Terry

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Terry I’m so pleased that you found it interesting.

[@MRacer001]

its amazing how for years now i had yet to find a easy to follow CV guide, until now, this was great!! it doesnt feel like some kind of rocket science anymore, thankyou for making these guides as i have learnt so much from watching you since i found you over the last coupe months

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Michael I’m so pleased that you find the channel useful. Regards Charlie

[@dh1263]

Great video Charlie. Truly takes the fear factor out of adjusting the CV’s. Will be playing with this over the weekend.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it Dan.

[@leestoddart7014]

Fascinating stuff again Charlie. (incidentally a "BIT" is from the B at the start and the IT at the end of "binary digit") And Mr Picky would point out that decelerate is the opposite of accelerate.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Hi Lee, I’m pleased that you found it interesting. Every Bit!

[@leestoddart7014]

@@ChadwickModelRailway you break it down into "byte" size chunks

[@roystudds1944]

Loved the explanation, very interesting and clear. I tried reading the comments but had to give up as they only led me to confusion. Don’t think I will be converting to DCC anytime soon!

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

At least you enjoyed it Roy.

[@patmccarthy1624]

Ok, Charlie - I'm going to start calling you Professor! Great job getting started with CV's! Now, get cracking on the other 1015 or so of the rest! You really make this all pretty simple. Thank you, again, for another superb lesson!

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I'm so pleased that you found it interesting Pat. I never know which way these technical videos will go. Regards Charlie

[@wimdelange6019]

Dear Charlie, another excellent video!👍 it increases my basic DCC knowledge with a pleasant learning curve! Cheers for now stay healthy with best regards from the middle of the Netherlands; 🚂 P.s. my sincere condolences to the British people 🕯

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks mate you’re too kind, and sad news regarding our prince.

[@colinsmith1226]

Absolutely fantastic video,explaining the mysteries of DCC to a newbie like me. Thank you sir.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

You’re most welcome, Colin, regards Charlie

[@redbank542]

Great Charlie, I actually understood all that. Only just started with DCC and only have the Hornby Select. Just from reading the booklet, I was able to get a more “realistic” startup and stop from day 1. Cheers Steve

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

That’s great news Steve.

[@jimbaritone6429]

Thank you Charlie, This is all wonderful information, presented very logically. As a BTW, I believe Grant Thompson, over at his SAR (Southern Alberta Railway) N scale channel put up a video on DCC speed matching two or several locomotives. It was brief, but a good beginning. Grant is - as distance around here go - a near neighbor, being only about 450 km south. His N scale SAR is a very nice "operations" layout, loosely based on a specific sub in southern Alberta near the Crowsnest Pass. I've been out of MRR for a very long time, but now retired and with some time on hand, I hope to start back in. My last layout closed shop in 1973 - the technology has improved somewaht :-). Many thanks.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Jim, and I shall certainly check out Grants channel. Regards Charlie

[@dennisbailey6067]

Thanks Charlie,the more Info the better.Note that CVs 66 and 95 also regulate the Top speeds for forward and reverse.From values 0-128.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

It is somewhat puzzling Dennis, how many different CVs need to be adjusted to attain the same result.

[@dennisbailey6067]

@@ChadwickModelRailway Thats right.I am years on and still learning.All the best.

[@johnchesworth4865]

That was a really great video Charlie. I'm a relative newbie to DCC and you've just cleared a lot of "fog", particularly in respect of scale speeds and acceleration/deceleration rates. I hate seeing trains going too fast! Thank you, Do take care and keep safe.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it John. Stay safe. Regards Charlie

[@alandavidson886]

Thanks again Charlie. The info on CV 29 was great. You made it seem simple all of a sudden. The calculator you gave the link to is great as well. I do look forward to you looking at speed matching. Cheers.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Alan, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting.The speed matching will be done in the next month or so. Take care, regards Charlie

[@CM-ARM]

Charlie yet again you have helped me. I just got the Digitrax starter set with the new wireless remote. I haven't installed it yet but I'm looking forward to. I also just installed my first decoder with sound and speaker. I have to go into the CVs too just to get the right engine and horn sounds. Soundtraxx has alot on all of their decoders. Thank God I have friends who know what they are doing. As always thank you, Chris

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

What a heartwarming comment Chris, good luck, regards Charlie.

[@123obinash]

I must admit Charlie, the Hymek is one of my favourites. It's the first proper diesel that was bought for me as a child. I still have it. Being a Cardiff lad who is nearing 50, I've since discovered that they operated in the area back in the day. Great video again. Cheers Nathan.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it Nathan. Stay safe. Regards Charlie

[@paulandrew7981]

Excellent video Charlie I certainty look forward to watching your videos each week / fortnight. Started at number one during the first lockdown last year and binge watched as I finally decided to get back into making my layout again after 20yrs (live in New Zealand so lokdowns have been short and life is pretty normal here apart from overseas travel were so lucky) . Realised I didn't lay all the track in the best possible way nailed straight to the board with no underlay so have ripped it up and are starting from scratch as you definitely get a lot of noise and loved the videos you have done on track laying to reduce the noise. The reason the cv29 are bits is to reduce the memory required the way the memory is structured in the chips is in bytes and if you used a cv for each bit you would require 8 bytes of memory instead of 1 byte. keep up the great work Thanks

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it Paul. Stay safe. Regards Charlie

[@tmcg972]

Great video, Charlie! I bookmarked this video to sort out my first ever self-soldered dcc Hornby Caledonian Sleeper Class 90. Very well explained and demonstrated as usual, thanks for putting this wealth of information together and make it easier to understand! Stay safe.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks TM, so pleased that you found it interesting, regards Charlie

[@wamgoc]

Thanks Charlie for putting in all the hard work for us all and explaining the research so eloquently. I appreciate how much time you put into your videos. You’re presentation and preparation shines though. The links you’ve left for the tools used in the video will be more than useful! I certainly would need to be losing too much sleep over CV’s any more! All the best!

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

What a heartwarming comment you’re far too kind. Regards Charlie

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

Nice one, Charlie. Very informative. They're called 'bits' as part of programming nonclementure, 8 bits equal 1 byte.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

But some folks byte off more than they can chew!

[@edweatherup3887]

Half a byte is called a nybble!

[@mattjackson8226]

Thanks Charlie I really appreciate you doing this video. I have always not been sure about CVs but I feel much better about them now. Having been a DC modeller all my life I have begun to dip my tow into DCC so this is a huge help. Have you ever considered doing a video on different methods of point control in DCC in regards to the different point decoder options? That's somthing I have also wondered about

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the CV video Matt. I shall have a think about the points control options, but apart from Digitrax, it’s something that I know only a little about. Regards Charlie

[@johnmassey7687]

once again you made a complicated thing into a easy to do project thanks Charlie

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

You’re too kind John.

[@TATICMOOR]

I've not looked into using CVs as it isn't a major concern for me yet. Especially as I have no layout built up enough to warrant to delve into this subject. I must say this video has enlighten me a lot more about making changes to the CVs. So thank you for the educational tutorial Charlie about CVs and to the 2mm Ass etc for the nifty little calculators and info on their websites. They will all be very handy once I get into reprogramming decoder chips. I also noticed you have a multi decoder checker with fly wheel motor on board attached to you programming station. These are a handy little PCBs to test and set up a decoder before fitting into a loco. I would say that any of your DCC beginners maybe interested in this device and maybe you could do a video on them, if you haven't already. Any way thanks again for all the insight you provide in these films with you wealth of knowledge that you have gained and passed on to other modellers like myself.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

An interesting point John. I’ve left the decoder tester out of videos as not wanting to recommend something that I rarely use.

[@andrewdonaldson6225]

Thanks Charlie. This brought flashbacks to a night demonstrating DCC to a (software engineer) friend after a night on Stella finished off with a bottle of Springbank! Only had a Lokmaus 2 and once I'd recovered, God only knows what we'd done to the CVs. Had to take it back to a shop to get reset to factory settings............Have managed not to drink and train since! Another great vid.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Wise advice mate.

[@acftus]

Wow what a brain teaser. It never fails to amaze me how technology has played such an important part in getting a model railway running in such a realistic manner. Doubt if I will ever go down the DCC route but this was informative Charlie.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Kevin I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie

[@Bop7324]

Another brilliantly informative video. Thank you. Off to the loft to sort out a class 73 that thinks it’s a greyhound......

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Go and tame him Kim.

[@Castlebridge-00]

Hi Charlie, a great lesson that I will put into practice in the next few days when I have finished cleaning the windows, oh and then the car, ah yes, the hover. Barry.Devon

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

A busy weekend then Barry!

[@johnmellars6647]

Very nice Charlie. I do think that somewher during this discussion topic you should mention JMRI. It is open source meaning it does not cost anything for use and it has a number of very good features for programming DCC locos, including sound. Not everyone has acces to the LocSound programmerbut you can still do it very nicely. The CV value information and explanation you oiffer is still valid, just worth mentioning there are different tools for applying the programming to the locos or sound cars. Thanks for a nice video, looking forward to the next!

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

A fair point John and in a previous video I did mention the SPRIG II and JMRI. Regards Charlie

[@johnnyboy2000]

That's a great video. I recently took up model railways again - I originally got the bug as a teenager many (many) moons ago. I like your handy hints and tips.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it John. Stay safe. Regards Charlie

[@grahamebradford1028]

Very helpful Charlie thank you. Hopefully I will be able to pluck up courage and give it a go very soon.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Graham, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards, Charlie.

[@paulnorval9646]

Thanks Charlie, certainly thoughtful and clearly explained. I was initially apprehensive about any CV changes, your video has convinced me otherwise! 🤔 I don’t know about your intro in this being a lullaby, I had to concentrate to take in all the info and then you tell there is more to come 😳! cheers Paul

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’m so pleased that you found it useful Paul.

[@paulnorval9646]

Always Charlie, stay well over there.

[@ivovanzon164]

For the continental stuff: Modern locomotives: cab #1 is the front one. The number is usually found close to the cab doors. Older German ones with V and H markings: V (for Vorne) is the front one. For EMU's and DMU's with German equipment and unclear front / rear separation: the Indusi receiver should be on the right side when travelling forwards. For the start - intermediate - end speed diagram you can also use tools like JMRI, which present a graphical representation.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I agree, Decoder Pro is marvellous.

[@michaelh6064]

Hi Charlie, Thanks for another well thought out and produced video, you do set the bar high for others😀. Since I got back into model railway 10 years ago and decided to go straight for DCC, I have always used Decoderpro. It means I really don’t have to think about CV numbers and just change the settings as it describes them. A bit like viewing cv”s as DOS and Decoderpro like Microsoft Windows! I really don’t have to remember which cv number at all and apart from cv3 couldn’t for the life of me remember what other numbers do what. It also has the advantage of loco rosters so I can save all the details about the loco, when I install what decoder etc. having just plunged into ESU lokprogramming now I think I will only use the ESU software for the sound programming but still use Decoderpro for changing everything else. Stay safe.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Great strategy Michael, regards Charlie.

[@lordflasheart6801]

I don't have DCC, but I found this very interesting. Having had computer issues all week, I nearly passed out at 5:27 when I thought my computer was at it again! I did laugh. Thanks to your earlier assistance and intervention, the trains here at Lockley Down are all still running without fault. All the best Charlie. Nige

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’m so pleased that everything has settled down on your layout Nige. Regards Charlie.

[@michaelimpey1407]

Charlie, what a great educational video on how DCC works, and the CV Settings. Keep safe. Michael

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Michael I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards Charlie

[@thomasm1964]

Bits : There are 8 bits to a byte. In computing, you usually start from zero, hence values 0 - 7 rather than 1 to 8. Each bit can store either a zero or a 1. Those eight bits mean you can store values from 00000000 to 11111111. So you could have 01010101 or 11011011, for example. There are 256 permutations of such combined bit values so a single byte can represent any integer between 0 and 255.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Great info Thomas.

[@thebigtwix]

Great video! With diesel locos I always use the rule ‘fans = forward’ and program CV29 accordingly. A quick glance for the circular fan in the loco roof helps confirm which direction to select. Like all rules, some locos won’t conform (like a deltic!) but it seems to work well enough for me.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Fans forward is a new one on me, many thanks, Charlie

[@PatrickMcNealPuppets-n-Things]

Perfect timing for this video! I'm just starting to delve into the CVs of the decoders I installed this past weekend. Thank you!

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

That’s great news Patrick, regards Charlie

[@waynemeakin]

Very topical for me as I've been playing around with CV's recently. This is an excellent reference video to help me along. Thanks

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Wayne, I’m so pleased that you found it useful. Regards Charlie

[@alexhill9169]

Just for the intro alone charlie you put a smile on my face and I gave you a thumbs up

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Anything to cheer folks up during these somewhat challenging times Alex

[@alantraish3368]

Hi Charlie Fantastic you’re doing this . 👍 I run Gaugemaster Prodigy. I just got the new Bachmann 94XX pannier. It has flickering firebox lights (2 of) I got a Dapol imperium next 18 decoder to work it. Not compatible. Would not run slow etc This had their new core less motor which may have something to do with it. Swapped it for Bachmann decider . Everything fine except for firebox lights . Gaugemaster F2 only latches so I had to re mapp one of the function keys. After a lot of internet searching RM web came up with solution(almost) CV47 to 4 and CV35 to 8. Nearly done it but could not get the both lights to come on independently. After a lot of trial and error (and resets!) I’ve got 2 flickering lights. I’ve found certain motors don’t like certain decoders. Also found just calling up the guys at Digitrains/Kernow/Gaugemaster they can advise . It is a never ending curve but wow how it’s transformed this hobby ! Stay safe . Oh by the way to remember all the numbers of my 160 plus fleet and counting I just plonk the number in the cab roof with a UV market then shine the Torch instantly revealing its number . Thank you well presented and more please.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

What a heartwarming comment Alan.

[@worthingtonmodelrailway8628]

Charlie, what a great video, although as if I don't already have too many unfinished projects - I now need to go and check CV settings on all my DCC fitted locos... thanks a million :)

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Anytime mate, here to help. 😜😜😜

[@Rob-bl5ik]

Very helpful Charlie, You made it very easy to understand thank you

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’m so pleased that it was reasonably understandable Rob, regards Charlie

[@johnbradshaw7525]

A really useful video as I had to adjust the CV's of a couple of my new locos.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Good on you, John, they can be a little bit trying! Regards Charlie

[@stevebryce-grant1107]

Many years ago I had model trams in OO scale, I fitted the DIGITRAX DH163 decoder and with the learning curve like you have done managed to get the trams to run at a maximum of 20mph with slow acceleration and deacceleration and the slow speed replicated as near as I could get a walking pace, impressed well yes very much so. In one of the US Railroad modellers, he had a device that looked like a train wash, but it would read the speed in OH and he could them match his locos for CONSIST or as I prefer to call it DOUBLE HEADING, would be perfect if a UK manufacturer could produce a similar device for OO but until then using the graph and a fixed length of track will have to do, or find a way of converting the US from HO to OO. As always excellent video content till the next one Stay Safe

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Hi Steve, and thanks for the information. In the UK, it’s much easier if you have the same loco with the same decoders that you’re trying to double head. Regards Charlie

[@marcdempsey5850]

Thankyou Charlie for yet another greatly informative video, been waiting for this all week. Have started with a couple of dcc locos and getting to grips with CVs isn’t easy to begin with. Best piece of advise is to record or print cv values as they are before you start experimenting or can we say playing... great demo of what they do when changed. Now have a Spreadsheet with all the CVs listed, what they do and their values recorded. Love CV29 website gonna give that a look. Excellent video for the DCC modellers but also for DC interested in what DCC can offer; max speed and getting there. 😎

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it and found it useful mate well done, regards Charlie

[@barrywest8944]

Hi Charlie, I’ve literally been dabbling in CV’s this week, after watching yesterday’s very informative video, my old class 37 doesn’t stop on a sixpence anymore it glides to a nice gentle stop. I use a Roco Z21 through my iPad (fruit based lol) and it allows me to take photos of the locos which makes it easier to select which one you want to use. Very “prototypical” your favourite word lol.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’m so pleased that my timing suited you Barry. Regards Charlie

[@EssexThameside]

Good evening Charlie, great video as always. You are my Thursday night evening class. Keep safe, Brian Essex Thameside in N

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Brian, it's great to have you onboard. Regards Charlie.

[@hythekent]

Charlie, I think this is one of the most interesting of your videos, for me at least. Having now setup my long awaited 10’x5’ and obtained a range of DCC locos, this tutorial couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ve also recently acquired that Umber Atlantic, aren’t they excellent. As always, thanks for uploading - yours is probably the best of the bunch as far as rail modelling channels go

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks HK, what a heartwarming comment. Regards Charlie.

[@roystrains]

Great info, thanks for sharing the links. I will be calculating the realistic speeds of all my locomotives and checking all my cv 29 settings against that chart.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Glad it was helpful Roy.

[@aptechnicalservices]

Another easy to understand explanation. Thanks as always Andrew

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Andrew I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie

[@1952TonyC]

Charlie, they just get better and better. Once again you have determined my workload for the following week and I don’t even have to spend any money! 😄. I hope that you work up to matching steam sound with motion. Go on, you know you want to. Keep it up Charlie. Loving it. Tony

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’ll have to scout around as I have no sound steamers Tony. Still, I’m so pleased that you found it useful.

[@cliveking9775]

Well done Charlie. I know I will be looking back at this helpful info in weeks to come.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I’m so pleased that you find it useful Clive. Regards Charlie

[@Gaspode_]

Great video Charlie. One thing I have discovered that caused quite a bit of head scratching for me is that with Digitrax (and maybe others) you need to be aware of how those units handle adresses 1-127 if you also use other systems like JMRI. With digitrax 1-127 are strictly short address mode. Address 3 in short address mode (03) is not the same as address 3 in long address mode (0003). So if you program your address via something like JMRI in long address mode set in CV 29 to address 0007 and then pop it on your digitrax layout, the digitrax controller will not be abble to talk to it, as it will be sending 07, not 0007.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

An excellent point Sam. I have two DCS100 units that don’t like address 1200!

[@scotmcmanus9401]

Another good video and very interesting and timely as I am about to embark on a model rail in my loft. I will definitely have a go at this once I figure out what controller I am going to use. I have a Hornby Select to get me started on DCC but I am also going to try JMRI and some automation. Take care.

[@GDGRailway47712]

I can recommend JMRI Decoder Pro for programing CVs. I use mine with a SPROG3 but other controllers can be used.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

JMRI does make thing so much easier Scot.

[@mikebeeforth6777]

I finally understand the mystery of CV29.... thank you Charlie!!

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

You’re most welcome Mike.

[@TimothyWorel-xj9he]

Can you set up profiles? For example Fast Freight, Unfitted Freight, Express Passenger, Local Passenger, etc? As Hymeks, 37s, 47s and many others had mixed duties? Or would you have to change the CVs individually for a loco according to what type of train it was pulling? Or perhaps have two Hymeks, say, and use one exclusively for freight and one for passenger. Or even two chips in the same loco, say 7019 and 7020, one set up for fast running the other for slow?

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Yes I can do that Timothy. The program train controller has all these facilities. Regards, Charlie

[@RogerDiscombe]

Thanks for the video which was very informative. Regarding the term "bit" this is short hand for Binary digIT. It is something that can take one of two values 0 and 1, ticked and unticked.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks for the info Roger. Regards Charlie.

[@RogerDiscombe]

@@ChadwickModelRailway After learning so much from watching your videos it was nice to be able to give something back. Roger

[@therailfan8947]

Great video Mr. Charlie! You were a big inspiration for me when I first started in this hobby! Thank you.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

You’re most welcome mate.

[@Hanzo.Azmodan]

The clouds in front of my brain are clearing! THANKS!

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Mike, it’s sunny after all!

[@44662dc]

An excellent video Charlie CV's can be a nightmare but you have opened my eyes there many thanks. Keep these how to vids coming they are helpful.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it Denis. Stay safe. Regards Charlie

[@eddyweller4503]

Morning Charlie, let me say firstly I'm not a dcc person most of my locomotives are to old to be converted. But it still fascinates me to learn and try to understand how cv's work. That was as I've come to expect very interesting. With all the technology available is there anything on the market that tells you what 70mph is in scale speed of is it down to your own experience and judgement. Which I suspect it is. I do know what it's like to turn your back for a second and find my 5 year old grandson has turned the flying Scotsman up to wharp speed and when I tell him to turn it down, he replies but Papa it's a express train. Thanks Charlie, always a pleasure take care, Eddy xx

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I will look into speed profiling Eddy I just need to do some more research first. Regards Charlie

[@CAPNMAC82]

I once started, accidentally, an argument among the Operators at my club by way of a simple question. "Should time be scaled as well as distance?" The club was running 8 actual hours were equal to 12 historical hours for the time period the club was set within, but only on Operations Days. So, the 22 year span the club was modeling had 192,720 possible running hours. Or about 8000 weeks operating 3 days a week. This informed a calendar for when we changed the seasonal landscaping. But it did mean every 'actual' second wanted to be 1.5 "scale" seconds long. It was a muddle.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Now there’s a whole new argument!

[@Llamberg.Railway]

Hi Charlie, As always clearly explained and humorous. I use a couple of products that make speed measurement a much easier process. One from mrt called the accutrack2 and cost around 70 dollars if you do some searching. I got mine from Bob the train guy as it is an American product. The other is by LSDigital Which you can get from dcc automation a bit more expensive. Also as a side note can be used with train controller for automated speed calibration as well as I-Train. Another benefit is you can get precise forwards/backwards trim.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Andy I’ll check out your options. Regards Charlie

[@paulyorke1437]

Many thanks for this very helpful video Charlie. Really helps to de-mystify the CV speed issues. I am looking forward to your follow up on this issue. I have a Prairie loco which has a very slow "chuff" in relation to its speed. I hope your next episode on CV's can help address this. No pressure buddy !!!

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I have some work to do on that one Paul, as I own no sound steamers. I shall have to have a scout around for a suitable volunteer to lend me one. Regards Charlie

[@Poliss95]

You're right about not all decoders being equal Charlie. Some aren't reset by writing 8 to CV8. Some Lenz decoders are reset by writing 33 to CV8. NCE decoders are reset by writing 2 to CV30. On the Z21 you set up double heading, or 'Trains' as they call them, by taking readings on how long each loco takes to travel a certain distance. Enter the details into the 'Traction' setting of each loco. Add the locos to the 'Train' and the Z21 will speed match the locos automatically.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Valid points mate, much appreciated.

[@DavidRobinson-rj2sp]

Hi there Charlie. Good video and all well and good UNTIL, you find that Bachmann in particular are starting to use 'coreless motors'. If you get hold of one of their latest re-tooled 03s for example (31-361B) then these are fitted with coreless motors. When you set your CVs 2 and 5 for your start voltage and top voltage and set your mid-point (CV6) then no matter what value you assign to these CVs the loco instantly accelerates to a ridiculous speed without any realistic behavious whatsoever. The only way you can impart to these locos (coreless motored) any realistic behaviour is to use the complex speed curve and back EMF CVs. I find coreless motors to be a pain in the 'proverbial'.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Interesting David, and a point which I shall investigate further. Regards Charlie.

[@DavidRobinson-rj2sp]

@@ChadwickModelRailway: Coreless motors don't have an iron core Charlie so there is no mass to overcome in first imaprting energy to turn over the armature and so slowly accelerate. Therefore coreless motors respond to the smallest of currents instantly and whooosh...off they go at warp factor 10 in an instant (giving Scotty nightmares about his Dilithium Crystals) . It would make for an interesting video Charlie as I'm sure in the circles in which you mix someone will know how to deal with these. Apparently they are in common use in N gauge models because of them being so tiny yet being so powerful in their power to weight ratio. I've tried turing Back EMF both on and off, enabling the complex speed curve in CV29 whilst turning off 28/128 speed steps and then trying complex speed curve enabled with 28/128 speed steps enabled too. Frustrating to say the least. Get hold of a Bachmann Next18 03 which will have a coreless motor and you'll see what I mean (I use a Bachmann Next18 decoder in this 'pain in the donkey'). Here's a link for DIgitrax CV setting guide which includes CV29 as you show in the 2mm Associtation link: www.digitrax.com/support/cv/calculators/#cv17_18_calc If you do decide to do a video on this matter Charlie you could call it 'The Curse of the Coreless Motor' hmmmm....it would be a winner.

[@metiu1975]

Good video to enter the DCC world! One tip: if you use Excel, there arr 2 functions DEC2BIN and BIN2DEC that can easily convert a decimal into "bits" and VV.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks for the info M1975. Regards Charlie

[@Nick380456]

Hi Charlie. Many thanks for today's one which I really enjoyed and learned some new things concerning CV's.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Glad it was helpful Nick.

[@dakdak7609]

Nicely done Sir, but try as I might I cannot find the bit with you singing a lullaby?

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

I knew that I would get ridiculed as soon as they recorded that segment. Take care Dave, regards Charlie

[@andreisim5227]

To add explaination for CVV29 for those who are interested, most cvvs are one byte, or eight bits, bits being equivalent on off switches, a value of zero being equated to off, 1 equated to on. If a parameter can only take on one of two values, an on/off switch proposition, then assigning a full byte, eight bits is a wasteful use of limited read and write memory and increases cost, though perhaps in these days of cheap electronics this would be trivial, but it wasn't in the past. Thus 8 independant binary parameters, on/off propositions could be stored in one byte by assigning a bit position to each within that byte So LOCO Direction which is either forward or back, a binary proposition because it can only be one or the other, is assigned to bit zero, with 0 meaning off sets forward and 1 being on sets the reverse direction Likewise the other parameters using bits 1 thru 7 to turn them on or off The string of string 0s and 1s stored within that byte CVV 29 can be interpreted as a binary number, which in turn can be converted to a decimal number as reported by your software, Were you to take that reported decimal number and convert it back to its binary repreentation you could directly read the setting of each the switches for each parameter from that binary repesentation This is second nature to people who program computers at the machine level and engineers who work with electronic control systems who use machine level commands to "flip bits" to turn things on and off In your video example the software reports a value of 34 and in thatdecimal form not particularly illumative but the binary representation of 34 is 00100010, reading right to left since bit 0 is the rightmost, loco direction, is off, bit 1 28/128 speed step,s is on, bit 3, DCC operation is off and so forth Hopefully this illuminates rather than further confuses

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Great info Andrei.

[@gilesforrest3945]

Hi Charlie, great and informative video well explained and easily understood. I too have a digitrax system so enjoy all your DCC content as well as all the others. Looking to your future content on this subject.

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Thanks Giles I’m so pleased that you found it interesting.

[@TheSonofruss]

This will be very useful when I can get my DCC to work thanks Charlie

[@ChadwickModelRailway]

Perseverance is the thing mate, regards Charlie