OK, so I get my new NCE Power Cab system in over the weekend, plug it in and was surprised that it worked right off the bat on my loco without any programming! So, I'm having fun, running the train around the track, without learning how to program and manage to hit some wrong button, while trying to make the loco address the same as the loco number on the engine. Now, the train SOUNDS like it's starting up and increasing throttle, but it only goes the equivalent of about number 3-4 on the throttle. I've read the manual, looking for what CV means...to no avail (can't believe they wouldn't put an index or glossary of terms), and also looked for a way to just reset to factory defaults and couldn't find that, either.
Any ideas??
Also, for those of you that have read my other post about the train derailing on certain parts of the track...any idea why the loco now, under DCC power, is derailing EVERY TIME at a switch that had not been an issue before???? (Maybe I should post this under track laying ?)
Thanks, again...Skip
You seem to have several problems --
Poor trackwork
Poor turnouts
Not indicating the scale (N or HO), brand of locomotive, and brand of decoder.
Each different brand of decoder has different commands, so we need to know what you have in more detail.
If you don't have the Technical Reference manual for your particular brand of sound decoder, you need to go to that manufacturer's web site and download it so you can learn the troubleshooting procedures recommended by them.
Sounds like you have set CV5, max speed, to something low. Make sure CV2, CV5, and CV6 are all set to 0, that should get back to normal. Also set CV3 and CV4 to 0 so there is no momentum.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Oops...sorry,
Thanks again,
Skip
rrinker Sounds like you have set CV5, max speed, to something low. Make sure CV2, CV5, and CV6 are all set to 0, that should get back to normal. Also set CV3 and CV4 to 0 so there is no momentum. --Randy
Thanks, Randy...I'll try that when I get home this afternoon!
You may have started the three step shutdown series by double clicking on the #9 button. Try double clicking on the #6 button to restart the loco.
I'm not good a reciting CV numbers and what they do and especially on NCE..........
But I will offer this. Clean track and clean wheels are the not negotiable. Squeaky clean but with a twist...... Clean dry track is "dry". It won't stay clean. You will get a small amount of arcing that will create a nickel oxide on the rails that appears to be a black powdery substance that is semi-conductive but makes decoders miss commands and get real stupid. Use some sort of treatment......there are a lot of them out there........ Stabilant 22, Rail Zip, ATF, Whal oil............. ask some local modelers what they are using.
Rule: do not program ON your railroad......... always us a programming track. If a command leaks out, don't ask me how this could happen, but.......... you may inadvertently write to all locos and not just the one you want. Further, if you have a fleet of Diesels with sound systems all running continuously ...... you may not have the available power to write the sheets to the intended decoder.
see ya
Bob
Boise Nampa & Owyhee Rule: do not program ON your railroad......... always us a programming track. If a command leaks out, don't ask me how this could happen, but.......... you may inadvertently write to all locos and not just the one you want. Further, if you have a fleet of Diesels with sound systems all running continuously ...... you may not have the available power to write the sheets to the intended decoder. see ya Bob
I'm going to have to disagree with you slightly, Bob. I do agree that using the programming track to test a decoder and/or program it's address is always best, since the programming track doesn't receive full power. Also, if you are wanting to "read" CVs values, programming track mode is the only way to do that.
However, once a decoder is programmed, programming on the main (POM) is a very safe way to change CVs on a particular decoder - i.e. as long as you have the correct decoder address showing on your throttle. I can only see your scenario happening if you have one or more locomotives operating on the default address of "3". I've programmed numerous times on the main using my Power Cab and have never had a problem programming multiple units inadvertently at the same time.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
pitshop and also looked for a way to just reset to factory defaults and couldn't find that, either.
and also looked for a way to just reset to factory defaults and couldn't find that, either.
If that is an HO, sound equipped , master series loco I believe that it has a QSI sound decoder in it. Some of these have a reset using a magnetic wand that should have come packed with the loco. If it has the wand, the instructions should have explained its use. If the wand doesn't work, or the loco didn't come with one, you'll have to look up the reset procedure on the QSI website. I'm sure someone can get you directly to the proper manual, or may even be able to tell you the proper CVs to set without having to look it up. But I would try all the other suggestions first.
I have an Atlas Master Series HO GP40-2 with a QSI Quantum System Q1a sound decoder that had a similar issue. While the manual gives instructions how to use the magnet to reset it, I felt I was too new to these issues to go straight for the factory reset. The local hobby shop supplied the factory reset CVs: CV49=128, CV50=255, CV56=113. You should then hear the loco say "reset". It fixed my problem, hope this helps. Brian
Tony's Trains has a primer on DCC. When I was starting out, I found it very helpful. As claimed, it's in plain English.
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm
Derailments have nothing to do with DCC, by the way. I can't think of any way that changing from DC to DCC could affect how engines stay on the track, or when they don't. It's a separate issue.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Nope, completely unrelated. Derailments don't increase or decrease when switching to DCC.
Ops Mode programmign is perfectly safe. In fact it's the best way to set things liek sound levels and do speed matching, because you can see the results immediately. It's directed only at one address, so unless you managed to first program all your locos to the same address, only one will be changed. The issue with a coupel of systems (PowerCab, Digitrax Super Empire Builder) is that they only have one set of outputs so if instead of ops mode you select a different program mode, you WILL program everythign on the track. Adding NCE's AutoSwitch to either system gives a dedicated output for a program track and automatically switches to it when in one of the regular program modes, making those systems like the higher end/others that have dedicated program tracks to begin with (PowerPro, Digitrax Zephyr and Super Chief).
I've never had any luck with the magnet wand reset for QSI decoders, except the one time I tookt eh shell off so I could see exactly where the reed switch was and then moved the magnet near it. The CV programmign method of reset works all the time, as long as you cna select and control somethign on the loco - ie, you know what the address is. Shoudl work ont he program track if the address has been somehow mangled. You do have to remove power, either shut off or tip the loco off the rails, for the reset to complete. Not sure if NCE can do this, but in a extreme case with Digitrax you can take all your locos off the track and use Ops Mode to address 00 which is a broadcast to issue the reset CV changes.
MisterBeasley Derailments have nothing to do with DCC, by the way. I can't think of any way that changing from DC to DCC could affect how engines stay on the track, or when they don't. It's a separate issue.
See, that's what I thought, too...even with my limited knowledge of the subject. Must have been just a strange coincidence, b/c it surely wasn't derailing at that point before I switched to DCC?? Hmmmm....
Thanks, Mr. Beasley, for the link to Tony's Trains article. I'll read that tonight, when I get home, if I have time. (Not much time for trains this week, as myself and 10 friends are going to ride our motorcycles 1000 miles in 24 hours on Friday, so I'm preparing for that!! Hope my butt isn't too sore to be able to work on the trains on Saturday!!)
Thanks, too, for all that have responded so far. Hopefully, those ideas will fix the issue.
pitshop (Not much time for trains this week, as myself and 10 friends are going to ride our motorcycles 1000 miles in 24 hours on Friday, so I'm preparing for that!! Hope my butt isn't too sore ...
(Not much time for trains this week, as myself and 10 friends are going to ride our motorcycles 1000 miles in 24 hours on Friday, so I'm preparing for that!! Hope my butt isn't too sore ...
IBA certification? Just curious.
CharlieM90 IBA certification? Just curious.
YEP! First attempt. All non-riding friends and half of my riding friends say we're crazy. Just something I've been wanting to do since I got the bike a year and a half ago. We'll see...
Sounds like an Iron Butt Rally primer. I have done that several times on my Gold Wing you will probably have a great time. By the way 2006 abs model 219,000 miles be safe.
You obviously didn't read the instruction manual that came with your Powercab. The first few pages tell you exactly how to change the loco no. to the cab number. Like it or not you will have to do some reading to learn how to program when using DCC. It's not rocket science to be able to perform basic programming functions. Nce is one of the most intuitive systems out there, so you will learn it quickly.
Also the derailing has absolutely nothing to do with DCC, it is a track issue. Do you have an NMRA track gage? If not get one. Should be available at your local dealer.