Setting the Starting voltage on a Berkshire

[vanderduim]

I just bought my second Pere Marquette Berkshire Item #50902. I'd like the loco to respond to the controller (MRC Prodigy Express) as a soon as I crack the throttle. Right now, it and its twin, respond at about a 4 to 5 step on the 28 step setting. Any ideas?

[bapguy]

Read CV2. This is the starting voltage. I think a value of 10 is the default. Change it to a value of 20 and see what happens.  Joe

[Hunt]

Assuming you have recent version of PRODIGY EXPRESS ² and not an old version,

1. Run the new locomotive per the break-in instructions.
2. Properly lubricate the locomotive after break-in.
3. Select running speed step one per MRC Prodigy Express User's Manual instruction under Running a Loco.
4. Select Prog Main Track.
5. Program CV2 = 1 **
6. If locomotive does not move, keep programming CV2 by increasing the value of CV 2 by 1 (CV=2, CV=3, CV=4, etc.) until locomotive does move.

**The factory CV2 default value is 10, so you can save some time by starting with CV2= 10 instead of CV2=1.

An aside:
Consider replacing the decoder with one that has better motor control technology.  Also decoders with BEMF feature should have CV 2 set to zero as the BEMF will make the adjustment automatically.

[vanderduim]

Thanks for the help guys. I found that  a CV2 = 30 works quite nicely.

[MilwaukeeRoadfan261]

I find that a setting of 20 works just fine on 128 Speed Step control.