NCE Gwire cab

[sawdust]

Just received my NCE Gwire cab having problem programing short address.    All my loco's are equipped with AirWire decoders and Phoenix sound and 14 volt batteries, most have the older decoder and some with the new G-2.  Each decoder has a different channel.  The GWire works fine by just using the channel, very good control love the buttons for control.

When I program the short address  i get the sound but no movement or movement and no sound.  This is one of the older AirWire decoders.   I don't want to try any more locos till I get this one worked out.  My AirWire cab runs the loco but no sound, the Idelle sounds are on.  I've tried to reset the decoder with AirWire but still the same results.       Allen

[cacole]

I have the same problem with a Gwire cab not programming CVP AirWire decoders, and NCE could offer no help and suggested that I contact CVP.

With a CVP throttle, you have to enter the programming mode by holding down the '9' button while turning the throttle on, and the decoder beeps to acknowledge each programming command; the the NCE throttle doesn't work this way at all, and the AirWire decoder doesn't accept the programming commands.

I'm presently awaiting a reply from CVP about whether or not the NCE Gwire can or cannot program an AirWire decoder.

EDIT:  I received the following reply from CVP Products:

Our AirWire decoders obey the DCC Standards so there should be no problem with programming.  The older AirWire decoders do not support ops mode programming, only service mode programming.  The Drop-in decoders support both.

Some simple things to check and try

-- Make sure that the throttle frequency and the decoder frequency match.
-- Make sure you only use the original 8 AirWire frequencies from 0-7.  Only AirWire throttles have the new frequencies 8 thru F, which are supported on the new AirWire Drop-in decoders.
-- Make sure there are no other transmitters turned on.
-- Try issuing a AirWire decoder reset command - CV8 = 135.

If you are still having problems, contact NCE for technical support specific to their throttle operation.

NOTE 2:  NCE says to contact CVP, and CVP says to contact NCE; so I'm beginning to suspect there was no coordination between them when the NCE throttle was developed.  I've already tried everything CVP suggested, all to no avail.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Use the CVP programming instructions to program the short address of the CVP decoder. You may have difficulty doing this with the NCE throttle. Many people have reported this.

You will not have difficulty programming the Phoenix to whatever address you want, because that part indeed follows DCC standards.

Many people leave the Airwire and sound decoders on short address 3, and just put different locos on different frequencies. Seems weird, but if you only have the NCE throttle, you may be unable to reprogram the Airwire decoder addresses properly.

With the latest decoders, the drop in's, it seems pretty clear you cannot program the decoder address. My guess is CVP got po'd since the NCE throttle is so much nicer and sells for less than theirs.

Regards, Greg

[kstrong]

Don't waste any more time trying to program the Airwire receiver with the NCE throttle. It just doesn't work. I've tried ops and service mode, ancient chants, lighting candles, wrapping foil around the antenna, wearing foil on my head (okay maybe not); suffice to say the two systems seem to be speaking different dialects of the same language.

Beg or borrow someone's Airwire throttle to set all your parameters. Also know that Airwire has a new throttle just coming on the market which from the literature seems to be quite a marked improvement over their previous throttles that may be worth taking a look at. If you've got that many Airwire decoders in use already, it's probably going to be worth the investment. Use the NCE to operate if you prefer the interface, and keep the Airwire throttle just to get things set up on the workbench and to change parameters as they need adjustment. That's what I ended up having to do. I've got the old RF-1300 transmitter for programming the Airwire boards, then I just use the NCE to run them. It's far from ideal, because I'd much prefer not to have bought the second transmitter, but if it's the right tool for the job, it's money well spent.

Later,

K

[cacole]

What I find strange is that CVP's web site makes no mention of their new throttle even being in the planning stages, but I saw a mention of the fact that it will be formally introduced in the June issue of Garden Railways magazine.

 

[kstrong]

It's been on their site for a month or two now. That's where I read about it, at least.

http://www.cvpusa.com/whatnext_t5000.php

Later,

K

[cacole]

The MSRP listed in the June issue of Garden Railways magazine for the new CVP AirWire T5000 throttle is $159, which is $10 more than the original AW9T throttle, but I don't think it's even available yet.

They keep saying 'mid-summer 2011' and I hope they don't slip several months to a year like some other manufacturers.