The locomotive decoder, not the DCC system, sets what a CV does and how it makes the locomotive behave. A CV is a setting for a particular item/feature of a decoder. It determines how the loco behaves, the loco address, the lights, the sounds, etc. Think of the CV as a labeled folder with a number on it. This is the CV number.
Inside the CV "folder" is a piece of paper with a number on it. That is CV value.
The value of a CV can be configured in a few different ways.
A CV can be a list of items you select from, like different lighting effects, sounds, or locomotive behaviors. You pick a number from the list of choices and enter that as the CV value.
A CV can be like a knob or slider with a range of values. Example: 1 to 255. This type of CV is used for speed control and sound volumes.
Now, the cool part. For some CVs, especially for lights, you can combine settings to get exactly what you want it to do!
CVs (configuration variables) can seem scary at first, but under the hood, they are very simple when viewed from a different perspective.
A CV consists of 8 blank spaces called bits. Each bit has a value based on simple math.
The 8 spaces (bits) that make up the CV can be used differently.
1. Used as a set of 8 simple on/off switches.
2. Used as a selection menu consisting of up to 255 items.
3. Used as simple knob/volume control with up to 255 steps on the knob
The key to using any CV is understanding how it is set up to be used.
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