Just trying

to understand the problem.  You've got the PT working with your loco, but the throttle settings are off for the various notches?  You've got the horn and brake, etc. working?

If the notches are your only issue, then yes, just playing with those settings will get you there.  Its been a couple years since I programmed any of my locos for the PT, so I don't remember everything, but I do remember using the LokProgrammer to tweak each locos settings so each notch on the PT would equate to the Prime Mover sound changes.  It really wasn't too difficult, especially after the first one.

I followed Joe Atkinson's method pretty closely - you can find it posted here on MRH.  Maybe that will give you a lightbulb moment like it gave me.

ProtoThrottle setup help

Hi Chris,

I understand your dilemma. I'm fortunate to have a layout that operates 2-3 times week with remote PT users. I have by necessity assisted several PT users to get their PTs running well with their own LS decoders and with mine. You can check the results on my YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/GP9um/videos

I can say for sure that it's about 1,000% quicker and easier to assist by Zoom calls than in writing! 

To that end, it would be my pleasure to try and help you if I can.  If that's of interest, LMK at gp9u at rogers dot com  and we'll figure it out.

Pete

Another reference - Tim Garland's video on prototype settings

Tim Garland (a real railroader and a model railroader) recently posted a video (https://youtu.be/A8Laq7XC8j4 ) on how he programs his Loksound decoders so his locomotives behave like the prototype. Tim has a great YT channel and is a dedicated ProtoThrottle user. 

Like Pete said…

…Chris, talking directly really helps. If you have more questions after chatting with Pete (which you won't because Pete's an expert) let me know. I have my engines fine-tuned for hyper-realistic operation if that's what you're after. 

Thanks for supporting Iowa Scaled Engineering!

Thanks Dave, Pete, Chuck and Scott!

Thanks very much for weighing in guys!  Really appreciate Dave's quick reply and Pete's offer to get together (we've already connected off-forum and have a time set up!) and Chuck's pointing me to Tim's video is very cool - and particularly timely since he just posted that video a few weeks ago!

And Scott - what can I say? I've coveted a ProtoThrottle ever since you started talking about it here on the forum, but I always put it off - until the wife (of all people!) "made" me get one! It's already been a treat, even though I've only started scratching the surface. I'm sure I'll be taking you up on your offer at some point since, like you, I'm most interested in the most realistic, prototypical experience possible - which is more achievable with the PT. Thanks for such a great product!

Thanks to you guys, I'm looking forward to continuing the journey down the rabbit hole . . . 

Special Thanks to Pete!

Just wanted to publicly thank Pete Mulvany for spending his Saturday afternoon guiding me through setting up my test mule (ESU equipped Atlast RS-1) and ProtoThrottle. As Scott and others have promised, it really isn't difficult to do, but I'll admit it was wonderful having someone like Pete on the trail ahead of me so I didn't have to waste any time second-guessing what I was doing, and risk getting totally lost.

So THANK YOU Pete! And thanks again to Dave and Chuck for pointing me to some additional resources - and to Scott for helping develop such a cool product that just keeps improving. The latest firmware is the BOMB! Just did my first brake test and it couldn't have been easier. Check it out!

Resetting the throttle if you move the reverser

Hi Chris,

If Pete mentioned this to you already please forgive me, but if you happen to move the reverser while the throttle handle is positioned in any notch you'll get an alert on the screen and the throttle handle will not function. This is by design as prototype throttles do not allow the reverser to move except when the throttle is in idle. To quickly reset the throttle handle for proper function, simply move the reverser to the center position and swing the throttle handle from idle to notch 8 and back to idle. This will reset. 

Hope this is helpful.

You're welcome Chris!

It was a win-win situation for me:

• I always enjoy and learn new things in such sessions - even more so from those who have driven real locos as you have
• I make new hobby friends
• I get to subtly reel in new recruits for my own remote-crew operating sessions.  Resistance is futile!  

One thing we learned was that not all LS Select files seem to have the "Notch 1 sound of load but no increase in revs when the traction motors get connected" effect in the sound file.

Good point as always Scott! We didn't cover the Reverser Lock option (it's in the PT Prefs menu Chris).  

Plus I recommended Chris pick your brain on the "flattened upper speed curve" as needed.        

Pete

Pete for prez

Chris,

Welcome to the awesomeness that the PT and ESU combine to bring to the hobby!
 

Pete has helped me bunches with my PT/ ESU set up for my n scale locos. What’s cool I think is the lighting functions that are possible with combination of the two. Just ask  Pete about the “ cab swap” lighting functions.

I need to work on speed tables, so I can align the notching and the prime mover better. 
 

Greg

Thanks Greg!

But fortunately for all I don't qualify for that role...

And credit where credit's due: The cab swap and consist light switch are based on Joe Atkinson's neat concept. But NCE users such as Chris don't need it anyway thanks to NCE's enhanced consisting features.

If you're working with LS Select decoders and speed steps per notch, I recall Joe figured out some transition differences when notching up vs notching down. I'm not sure if that's posted on here or on the PT user group but well worth a read.

Speed steps per notch is adjustable now in LS5 DCC decoders as well as in the PT if you fancy some 3D chess.

New Posts Up!

Just finished a couple of ProtoThrottle posts on my blog that folks may want to check out - or point their friends to, for an introduction to this amazing new tool.

ProtoThrottle - Unboxing & Introduction

ProtoThrottle - Programming & Configuring

I've done so a number of times, but can't say it enough - huge thanks to the guys at ISE and thanks again to Pete for demystifying things for me. Here's hoping these posts demystify it a bit for others . . .

Chris