Sunset Red and Yellow Warbonnets

Thanks for posting the video Jack.  The ATSF warbonets  look great and appear to run smoother than my new Sunset A-B-A PRR F7's .  My units they tend to slightly buck one throughout the speed range while mated.  I tested the 3 powered units running uncoupled (DCC control) and found them to be perfectly speed matched.  They also run smoother individually than when two or more powered units are coupled together.  Possibly the interplay of back EMF motor control  contributes to the problem.  There were similar 2 rail DCC performance issue with the new Sunset FP7's in the sprng of 2014.  Back then one of our OGR 2 rail forumites sent his FP7's to QSI Solutions and had Josh Shedaker tune the Titan decoder's motor drive CV's for optimum performance -  problem solved!  With Josh's permission I posted the CV changes on this forum.

 Jack - I'd appreciate your sharing the CV changes  you made to  your F7's.  I'd like to try them in my F7's.

Decoder CV tuning aside I find MU'd  powered diesels coupled with Kaydees   typically exhibbit some bucking during start up - even with perfectly tuned drives.  To minimize this I replace the Kadees between units in my assignment "sets" with dummy couplers mounted in the Kadee boxes (no draft gear springs).  I drill the dummy coupler shank to fit over the Kadee center post - eliminating draft gear slack.   The close fit between the dummies's heads  also helps reduce excess slack action.  I retain the Kadee's on the on the front of the A units for hands off coupling/uncoupling. 

Ed Rappe

Wow those are beautiful.

That is a heck of a consist. I wonder how much they can pull?  

(I'd have to try!)

Ed:     I used the CV's from Josh at QSI that you posted in May of 2014.  The F-7's had exactly the same symptoms as the FP-7's.  Your posted CV's made the F-7's run excellent.

The close fit between the dummies's heads  also helps reduce excess slack action.

Excellent idea Ed.  It also permanently shortens the distance between the locos (running or static) which is about a foot too much on my units. 4ft vs 3ft. I'm sure this was done to accomodate mimimun radius running, but if your layout can handle it, they look better closer coupled.  

Butch

Ed,

Would you kindly post again those CV changes from May, 2014?

Thank you,

Ed Kelly

For those interested in tuning the running and sound qualities of new Sunset F7's reread through the May 2014 thread on the then new Sunset FP7 at:

https://ogrforum.com/t...46#28742126374224546

For those just wanting to address drive train smoothness you can make the following CV changes using most  DCC systems s.

Sunset Models O-Scale FP7 Fix List

QSI Solutions 2/24/14

CV Fix List: Program these CVs on the main (ops mode) to have the decoder's verbal programming read back assist you in ensuring you’ve programmed the right CVs in the right order. Indexed CVs will be displayed whole then broken down into the individual CV49/50 values.

1: Start Voltage CV2= 24

2: RTC Min BEMF CV56.5=6 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV49=5

CV56=6

PID Parameters.

3a: Very Low Speed Proportional Gain CV56.18.0=60 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV50=0

CV49=18

CV56=60

3b: Very Low Speed Integral Gain CV56.18.1=1 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV50=1

CV56=1

3c: Very Low Speed Differential Gain CV56.18.2=150 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV50=2

CV56=150

4a: Low Speed Proportional Gain CV56.19.0=10 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV50=0

CV49=19

CV56=10

4b: Low Speed Integral Gain CV56.19.1=1 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV50=1

CV56=1

4c: Low Speed Differential Gain CV56.19.2=35 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV50=2

CV56=35

5a: Medium Speed Proportional Gain CV56.20.0=7 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV50=0

CV49=20

CV56=7

5b: Medium Speed Integral Gain CV56.20.1=1 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV50=1

CV56=1

5c: Medium Speed Differential Gain CV56.20.2=25 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV50=2

CV56=25

6a: High Speed Proportional Gain CV56.21.0=7 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV50=0

CV49=21

CV56=7

6b: High Speed Integral Gain CV56.21.1=1 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV50=1

CV56=1

6c: High Speed Differential Gain CV56.21.2=15 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV50=2

CV56=15

Speed Calibration Settings (optional, but recommended)

7: SMPH/BEMF Ratio CV56.7.0-1= 850 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV50=0

CV49=7

CV56=82

Then:

CV50=1

CV56=3

8: BEMF Offset CV56.8=33 to set this, program the following CVs in the following order;

CV49=8

CV56=33

Quoting Josh “Successful programming of these CVs will dramatically improve the FP7’s operation and, if speed calibrated, will cause speed dependent effects like automatic brake squeal, transitions, and Doppler Effect to work correctly based on locomotive scale miles per hour”.  

I want to thank Josh and QSI Solutions for sharing the FP7 CV “fixes”. Folks should know QSI Solutions (Josh's company) was not responsible for the as delivered configuration/settings on the Sunset 3^rd Rail FP7.

If you have a QSI Preogrammer I recommend going with the FP7 firmware to get the better Q3 sound recordings and tuned motor control settings.

Ed Rappe

Ed,

Thank you very much.

Ed