Set up is very easy and is best done using Program On Main programming. Of course you can do this on the programming track, it just takes a little longer.
I strongly recommend performing an Auto-Tune calibration run before working with chuff timing as this will affect your results. Auto-Tune will also go a long way towards calibrating the motor for silky smooth drive rod action.
You should also make any adjustments to the speed table to affect the top speed and acceleration curve of the model before working with chuff timing as this will affect the chuff rate as well.
Finally, if you are working with an articulated locomotive sound file, it may be easier to set the timing by disabling the secondary articulated chuff. Read the current value of CV250 then set it to 0. When you are finished, reprogram CV250 to the original value.
TIP - You can make any steam sound file articulated or non-articulated by simply setting the value of CV250 to 0 for no secondary chuff or not equal to 0 for secondary chuff.
If you have a LokProgrammer or use DecoderPro software, make a note of the current values in CV 57, 58 and 249 of the project loco.
Place the locomotive on a clear, straight section of track at least four (4) feet long.
Set the loco to Speed Step 1 and count the chuffs per revolution.
Adjust CV57
until you have the chuff rate timed perfectly.
Now set the loco to Speed Step 4 (or the highest speed you can accurately count chuffs per revolution).
Adjust CV58 until the chuffs are timed perfectly again.
TIP - It may be necessary to adjust CV57 and CV58 a couple times to get the values in the right range to work well together.
Finally, set the loco to a speed close to the top speed you typically operate at.
Adjust CV249 if needed to set the minimum space between chuffs at full speed to
reduce the staccato effect of too high a chuff rate at
high speed.
CV57 - set up to sync at speed step 1.
CV58 - adjust as needed to maintain sync as speed increases.
C249 - adjust if needed to set the minimum space between chuffs at full speed (to avoid the sometimes objectionable staccato effect of too high a chuff rate at high speed).
That's it... near perfect chuff timing without a cam.
For some icing on the cake, go back to the LokProgrammer and read the decoder values in the current sound project. Now write those values back to the decoder to make them the default values so that when you have to do a decoder reset, the current setting
