I have just built a new layout foundation, placed roadbed, nailed in track, soldered 22 gauge wire to virtually every piece of track, but locomotives will not run. I do not believe power is getting to the track because just placing the loco on the track produces no sound or lights.
I have 14 gauge wire running under the layout.
I am wondering if I am attempting too much track. I have three loops and 5 sidings so that I could run 3 locomotives at once.
Does anyone have a suggestion?
:Yes
Start off by setting up a 3 foot section of track and placing a loco on it.
Hook up the NCe system to only the 3 foot section and see if a loco works on it.
Which NCE system are you running?
Springfield PA
I have the NCE Power Cab. I will try your suggestion this weekend. Thanks for your help.
This should be in the DCC section. Some DCC people might never look here.
As an example, I have saved the Model railroader and DCC forums in my browser. When I click on each, I never see the other forums. Other may do that also if they are interested in certain forums only.
But anyway, put your multimeter probes on the DCC connections and see what there is for AC voltage. A reading of around 12 to maybe 18 volts AC should be seen depending on the meter. My NCE Power Cab shows about 14 volts AC on my digital multimeter. I have three multimeter's that show very close to the same voltage.
You did not tell us anything about which controller and if the controller display is still on. With a short, my Power Cab display goes dark.
With our club NCE Power Pro 5 amp, the LED on the main box flashes if there is a short. The controller is still lit.
Never try to wire a layout without a multimeter. You should check every so often for shorts using the resistance scale. Never, ever forget, Murphy knows where every model railroad exist.. Been there, done that, have the T shirt.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
HO,
Does your Power Cab light up when you plug it into your PCP panel? If it does, are you plugged into the LEFT connector port? If you plug your Power Cab into the RIGHT connector port, your Power Cab will still light up but it won't control anything. It must be connected to the LEFT connector port in order to receive power and control locomotives.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The most likely cause is that you got the feeder wires crossed somewhere as you wired the layout, which created a dead short and is causing the NCE system's circuit protector to turn it off.
If you didn't use color-coded wire for the main bus, you now have a major wiring problem trying to figure out where the wires got crossed.
I always use color coded wire and keep the same color connected to the same rail all the way around.
If you have locations where trains can cross over from one track to the other, these may be causing shorts depending on which brand of turnouts you used.
The first and easiest troubleshooting step is to remove the NCE connection from the layout and take a resistance reading of the layout's connecting wires with a VOM (Volt-Ohm-Milliammeter). If you get a reading of zero Ohms, you have a short in your wiring. A reading of infinity indicates no short.
Another simple test is to remove the NCE system and connect a standard MRC DC power pack with an overload light to the layout. When you turn the throttle up, if the overload light comes on your layout is improperly wired,
I tried your suggestion about the multimeter and found that the Power Cab was providing no power. I had 0's. I hooked up my old MRC and the train runs. I need to try to determine the problem with the Power Cab, but at least I am up and running. I really appreciate your suggestion and all of the help. You made my weekend fun by helping me run the trains.
Follow the hookup steps that are shown in the Basic Setup diagram inside the front cover very carefully and make sure you have the PowerCab components connected to the correct sockets. If you don't connect everything correclty it won't work.
If it still doesn't work, you may have a defective power supply or PoweCab unit, and should contact NCE for advice or return it to the place of purchase if you bought it thorugh a local hobby shop.
http://www.ncedcc.com
Also make sure you are using the right cord from the power cab to the panel...The power cab comes with 2 diffrent cords you want to use the flat cable to go from the Power cab to the left port on the NcE Power Cab panel. I am sure you solved this by now , however someone else may read this thread...it may help them
How many power districts do you have? And, as noted earlier, does the Power Cab light up when you connect it to the left PCP socket with the flat wire. The Power Cab should be sufficient for your layout.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
I have the Power Cab. With the cab display lit and the flat cable plugged into the correct socket you should measure about 13.6 vac at the ouput connector with a voltmeter. Even a auto light bulb will light up. Follow the instructions. Very easy.
Connect to the track and the display goes out, short.
HO Beginner either figured it out or bought a Digitrax, SEVEN YEARS AGO
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley