The link below points to a document that explains the level of DCC compatibility found in MTH, HO locomotives. It also gives an overview of their DCS (Digital Command and Control System). It is hoped this information will be useful for people considering the purchase of MTH locomotives. We all know they have recently announced the SD70ACe in HO.
The document is too large to upload so you will have to click on it or paste the link into your browser.
http://www.ulrichmodels.com/prostores/DCC_Topics/MTH_DCS_and_DCC.pdf
Extremely brief summary of MTH DCC as shipped to-date. Much more detail in the document.
MTH DCC Overview
The MTH locomotives are designed primarily for MTH DCS but support DCC compatibility. Although the MTH locomotives operate well in DCC, only a few CVs are available for configuration. In place of CVs, MTH uses function keys to control DCC functions and parameters. This approach limits DCC capabilities. These limitations are addressed in the text that follows.
MTH Supported Standard CVs
CV 1 Short Address
CV 3 Acceleration Rate
CV 4 Deceleration Rate
CV 17-18 Extended Address (upper bits must be set to 1)
CV29 Bits 5 = ext. address; bit 1 = Direction bit (only features supported in CV 29)
MTH Extended CVs
49 Short Address (controllers that prohibit address POM)
50 & 51 MTH only CV - Extended Address (controllers that prohibit address POM)
55 Reset Send value = 55 to CV 55 to reset the decoder.
MTH DCC Compatibility Issues
The following significant DCC features are not supported in MTH locomotives.
• Advance Consisting – Consisting must be done using the DCC system’s consist capability which does not support enabling or disabling function keys on a per locomotive basis. Also the consist is not portable.
• CV min, mid, and max for sitting a three point speed curve and matching locomotive speeds for consisting. It is not possible to speed match your MTH locomotive to a DCC locomotive. You may be able to match your DCC locomotive to your MTH locomotive.
• Speed Tables – No custom speed tables.
• Individual sound volumes – master sound can be set to three levels with F7
• Function key remapping
• Modification of lighting operation
The document is too large to upload so you will have to click on it or paste the link into your browser.
http://www.ulrichmodels.com/prostores/DCC_Topics/MTH_DCS_and_DCC.pdf
Extremely brief summary of MTH DCC as shipped to-date. Much more detail in the document.
MTH DCC Overview
The MTH locomotives are designed primarily for MTH DCS but support DCC compatibility. Although the MTH locomotives operate well in DCC, only a few CVs are available for configuration. In place of CVs, MTH uses function keys to control DCC functions and parameters. This approach limits DCC capabilities. These limitations are addressed in the text that follows.
MTH Supported Standard CVs
CV 1 Short Address
CV 3 Acceleration Rate
CV 4 Deceleration Rate
CV 17-18 Extended Address (upper bits must be set to 1)
CV29 Bits 5 = ext. address; bit 1 = Direction bit (only features supported in CV 29)
MTH Extended CVs
49 Short Address (controllers that prohibit address POM)
50 & 51 MTH only CV - Extended Address (controllers that prohibit address POM)
55 Reset Send value = 55 to CV 55 to reset the decoder.
MTH DCC Compatibility Issues
The following significant DCC features are not supported in MTH locomotives.
• Advance Consisting – Consisting must be done using the DCC system’s consist capability which does not support enabling or disabling function keys on a per locomotive basis. Also the consist is not portable.
• CV min, mid, and max for sitting a three point speed curve and matching locomotive speeds for consisting. It is not possible to speed match your MTH locomotive to a DCC locomotive. You may be able to match your DCC locomotive to your MTH locomotive.
• Speed Tables – No custom speed tables.
• Individual sound volumes – master sound can be set to three levels with F7
• Function key remapping
• Modification of lighting operation
