Programming NCE Snap-It CVs with MRC Prodigy Advance²

[NSColsMP6]

 

I’m trying to program CV’s of NCE Snap-It accessory decoders as described in the manual here…

 

SOURCE: http://www.ncecorporation.com/pdf/SnapIt-C.pdf (p.4)

 

They mention “entry level DCC systems” like MRC… I’d consider a Prodigy Express² system to be “entry level” whereas I have a Prodigy Advance² system which has more advanced features.

 

Is there a way to program CV548 and CV550 on these accessory decoders with my PA2 system?

 

I have the MRC DCC software and JMRI as well if they will help me to do this.

 

My reading of the PA2 manual (http://www.modelrectifier.com/resources/trainSound/0001414.pdf) is that the PA2 can only program CV #513 for accessory decoders – and then only on the programming track… though I’d assume that connecting the Snap-It to the programming track and setting CV #548 to 1 (factory Default is Zero) might work… but the way they worded it in the Snap-It manual… I figured I’d ask before trying it.

 

[LIRRs]

Hi Mark.

I am working with a MRC PA2 as well, however, not with the NCE Snap-it accessory decoder.  I have the MRC accessory decoder which required to be programmed on the Programming Track as well so it seems that this might be a requirement.  It will not harm the decoder since the programming track receives less amps than the main.

All the best.

Reinhard 

[NSColsMP6]

Chessie reinhard

I am working with a MRC PA2 as well, however, not with the NCE Snap-it accessory decoder.  I have the MRC accessory decoder which required to be programmed on the Programming Track as well so it seems that this might be a requirement.  It will not harm the decoder since the programming track receives less amps than the main.

Tried the programming track via the MRC DCC app on my PC...  it said the programming took - but when I just tested it the two CVs I tried to change from factory defaults were still functioning as the factory default would have them.

Seems like I might need to find someone with a NCE Power Cab and either borrow it or invite them for a short operating session on the Styrofoam Plains and Western so I can program the two CVs on my accessory decoders. :P

 

 

[rrinker]

 I think the PA2 manual explains it all - it clearly says it can only program CV513 of accessory decoders and only on the program track. So there is no other option that can be used to program accessory decoders. If it said you could program 513 on the main, there might be some hope for using the program track, but since it says only 513 only on the program track, it definitely has no other accessory decoder capabilities.

 JMRI won;t help, all JMRI does is effectively emulate a cab, so if it can't be done manually with the cab then it can't be done with JMRI. JMRI just automates a lot of things and "presses the buttons" for you so you don't have to deal with menus or complex key sequences or remember CV numbers. JMRI may let you select CV 548, but it likely won't cause the MRC system to send the programming packet, since this appears to be a limitation of the MRC command station. The JMRI definition for the Switch-It will include CV548 since it's a valid CV supported by the decoder - it doesn't know that System X can't program that CV.

                             --Randy