I'm trying to use the NCE USB interface to run our locos but I keep getting the message that the NCE Power Cab is off line and I can't control any locos that were previously registered onto the JMRI program.
Should both red LED lights be on at opposite ends of the USB bridge? Because I'm only getting one LED light on the Power Cab side. Should the red LED light be lit on the USB chip to PC side? Because it's not and only flashes quickly when I plug it in. And there is no reference to any indicator lights on the online instructions.
Thank you!
The red lights only flash when data is being transferred. I had the same issue until I loaded a sub device driver. Once that is done, you will have no trouble.
Sorry, I meant to say USB driver, sub driver.
I belive I did. From here:https://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/Pages/USBtoUARTBridgeVCPDrivers.aspx
But for some reason it still says Power Cab offline. Can control the loco from the cab but that's it. I must be missing something. I even uploaded the newest JMRI program, 4.2.1I'm stumped on this one. I even removed jumper 1 cause I thought it was set at the wrong baud and set it to 9600. Nothing.
It wont recognize the new loco. Even the old ones.
Make sure the bus addresses of the power cab and the NCE USB device aren't the same. I believe the default is 3.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
There is some discussion as to the sequence of starting the USB/computer hookup. Be sure that the track power is on and JMRI is up and running. Then connect the USB cable to the computer and the Interface board. Then check the com port by looking in your computer's control panel at the driver's screen. Good luck.
The PowerCab should be 2 and the NCE USB adapter should be 3. Something else is perhaps possible, but that works.
I've had better success by making sure everything is hooked up and powered when booting JMRI. YMMV
Be sure you've set and SAVED the Connection in Preferences. That reboots JMRI and then you should be up, although I've spent plenty of frustration in this area before I got all the e-ducks in a row
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
mlehman The PowerCab should be 2 and the NCE USB adapter should be 3. Something else is perhaps possible, but that works. I've had better success by making sure everything is hooked up and powered when booting JMRI. YMMV Be sure you've set and SAVED the Connection in Preferences. That reboots JMRI and then you should be up, although I've spent plenty of frustration in this area before I got all the e-ducks in a row
I've tried setting the USB chip to 3 but I get a message 'waiting for reply' and it hangs forever. Last year it worked. Didn't even have to change the addresses or cable order. I'm guessing the chip is dead. Even though the PC side LED lights up and stays solid.
What was your jumper configuration? I have all 4 jumpers on.
robkozWhat was your jumper configuration? I have all 4 jumpers on.
All 4 of mine are on the board so they don't get lost. However, they are all sitting so that they are offset toward the outside edge of the board, thus none of them connect the contacts.
According to the JMRI hardware configuration, for a PowerCab, the jumpers on the USB interface need to all be off. This is probably the issue.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
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