DCC Consisting

[chuff_n_puff]

How important is it to consist according to consisting rules? I have (2) F7 units that I just assigned the same number to and they do fine. I checked the individual speeds on them and they matched perfect. Do I need to use the MU programming mode, or is my way just as good?

[FFJOHNL312]

C&P:
Your method is absolutely fine. Many of us DCCers have used this method at one time or another. A common example is assigning an A and B unit the same number when operationally, it is unlikely they will be seperated.
John Loesch

[Jake]

I don't see a problem either. If i had a complete acela set, (i don't have anything right now) with two powered units and all I'd assign them to the same address. I see it as a good thing for units that will seldom or never be separated.

[Hoople]

Okay, why is your text scrolling?

[tigerthelion]

I have two pairs of locos consisted on my layout, and it works great, I am very impressed with the whole thing as my DCC fleet just grew from three to six...

Tiger

[Jim Banner]

What you are doing is generally called "basic" consisting and it works with any DCC system.  When you talk about rules, I suspect you are talking about consisting in the command station.  Digitrax calls it Universal consisting, and I too find it a pain.  The "what's on top" reminds me of the old "Who's on first" routine.  Decoder aided assisting (Digitrax uses the term Advance consisting) is my favorite.  With on-the-main (OPs mode) programming, you can make up the consist on the fly and it works very much like your Basic consisting in that you can put the consist on a different layout with a different DCC system, and the consist still works.  The biggest difference is that you can also program which functions will work on what locomotive so that if you have 3 or 4 locomotives working together, only one will display a headlight, ditch lights, etc.  Not all of my decoders support Advanced consisting, and it may be a while before they do - I still haven't finished putting decoders in the whole fleet.

Scrolling text is an option with BBC code.  But it slows down your reading and makes your brain rot.  Personally, I suggest you skip any posting that scrolls, including this one.

[tigerthelion]

Yeah the scrolling thing isn't very fun...

Tiger

[Paul M.]

There was an article in Model Railroad News a few months back about DCC consisting.

PS-

Is this how you get it to scroll?