HI "Guys" and Gals
Do to health problems I have not operated my layout for quite some time, like three years. After putting a few locos on the tracks I ran into a few problems.
One loco makes motor sounds but no bells and whistles.
Another has no sound at all.
Did they lose their programing and will I have to reprogram all of my locos?
I noticed that the power Cab does not display a number when #7, #8, and #9 are pushed, is this correct?
It looks like I will have to start the learning curve all over.
The programing APP is old and I am using Windows 10, or trying to. ??
I appreciate any help.
When I started in 2007 you Guys were a great help.
Have a great day.
Lee
Lee,
Real quick: The Power Cab only displays F1-F6 on the LCD screen. (Headlights is "L" for 0).
[Edit: I don't know what version of the Power Cab firmware you have, Lee. V1.28 and greater allows you to see F1-F28 at a single glance by pressing the OPTION key. However, the OPTION key has to be programmed to a value of "122" first.]
What locomotive "has no sound at all"? Is it a locomotive with a QSI decoder? It's possible that that decoder was put into "sleep mode". Try double-clicking F6 twice rapidly. That will wake it up.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I had strange things happen when I installed a decoder in an older engine that had never been run. When I gave the wheels a good cleaning the problems were resolved. You did not mention if you cleaned the tracks and wheels.
Tell us more, specifically, about the types and brands of engines that are misbehaving.
Rich
Alton Junction
Hi
I did clean the track and when trying the locos I slid them back and forth to make sure there was contact.
I put 5 out of 16 locos on the tract and have determind that these 5 work to some degree.
Head lights,horn, and different functions don't.
I have several different sound decoders. the GP30 with DH165K1A moves correctly but has no sounds at all.
My Decoder Pro & Panel some how got wiped and I have no files so it looks like I will have to start over, logging all locos and CVs on to a new Roster.
Doesn't look like an easy fix.
Thanks for your efforts, Rich, Markie and Tom the Power Cab was bought in 2007 and has one update.
DH165...series decoders are motor only, no sound - unless you have a 'soundbug' plugged into it.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Hey Jim
If I remember correctly I only have one loco that doesn't have sound, a 4-4-0 american. I may have written down the number wrong on this one.
Cheers
yankee flyer...I put 5 out of 16 locos on the tract and have determind that these 5 work to some degree. Head lights,horn, and different functions don't...
The first thing I would do is make sure you do not have any consists setup in the Power Cab and make sure CV19 on all of your locos is 0.
Too many locos not performing as expected. If you haven't been running trains for 3 years, I would start with the track. Have you cleaned it?
Update
HeyRich
The track was the first thing I cleaned.
I hooked up the lap top but no joy. I'm thinking the windows 10 has wiped the driver out that was on windows 7.
I tried the web page that was listed in the USB adapter manual but no luck. There didn't seem to be a link to any drivers.
Soooo, I put all of the locos on the track and tested them. Three of the steam have no working head lites. The little 4-4-0 would not run. One diesel ran and head lite works but no sound. Three diesels work fine. Another one works but no head lite.
I guess the first project is to get a driver for the USB adapter.
Question: Does windows 10 need a new Decoder Pro and or update?
What version of Decoder Pro are you running? 4.4 is the latest, as of 6/30/16. If you don't have the latest it may be worth upgrading then retesting again.
You could also try resetting one of your locomotive decoders to see what happens. If both lights and motor work properly then it's not a decoder issue.
You should be trying to get your locos to run using only the PowerCab. Windows 10, decoderpro, computers, and USB adapters have nothing to do with your problem and only throw more mud onto whatever the issue is.
Maxman
I believe I see your point. If I remember corretly I can read the CVs with the Power Cab, I'll look into that. I still want to get the Decoder Pro, roster , etc working.
Thanks Guys I'll tackle that tomorrow.
I agree with Maxman. I have the same setup as you have. Every time I had problems, it was with the USB Adapter. You can read CVs with the PowerCab on the "Programming Track" mode, NOT on "Programming on the Main" mode.
Good luck.
Guy
Modeling CNR in the 50's
Do you remember the decoders that are in some of these locos? For example, the diesel that runs but has no sound - if it has a Loksound it probably needs you to hit F8 to start the sounds. Or if a different brand, maybe another function is the sound start or unmute.
The steamers that run but have no headlights - F0 normally turns on headlights, kind of strange that all of them would have the headlight burn out while stored, that doesn't make too much sense. Were they just stored, or did you also move in there, in which case it could be just a loose wire. If they are the type with tle electronics in the tender, is the plug between the loco and tender fitted correctly and securely plugged in? That's the #1 cause of issues with many steam locos. Those plugs can be a bear to get properly connected without breaking any wires off
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Good morning
Randy
Yes I have been able to turn off and back on using F8 on the locos that have working sound. one of the steam locos head light is on but so dim that you have to put it up to your eye to see it.
The locos were in closed display cabinets but I did take one are two out and run around the track a couple times. I just didn't have the energy to do much.
There are several different kinds of decoders but they all worked correctly when I quit useing them and I do have the manual for each. I'll try and plot the decoders / problem.
Something came up this morning (there is always something) but I will try to get some new information this afternoon.
cheers
Lee, any chance that you can post a list of your locos and the identity of the decoder in which one?
Hey Rich
I tried two locomotives, one the #145 2-6-0 I was able to read the decoder on the progaming track with the power cab. Manufacture 011 decoder version 036.
Motor works but takes a lot of power to start. No sound.
#300 GP30 with DK 165Kia (I think). Motor control works, headlite works, one marker lite is on, the other one comes on when you hold down the horn button , no sound
I think the drugs they gave me fried my brain and I'm going to have to start from scratch to learn to program with the power cab and work my way up.
Thanks to all for trying.
yankee flyerManufacture 011
11 is an NCE. Therefore it would not be sound. I don't know what a DK is.
yankee flyer#300 GP30 with DK 165Kia (I think). Motor control works, headlite works, one marker lite is on, the other one comes on when you hold down the horn button Grumpy, no sound
A DH 165KIA (Digitrax) is not a sound decoder either unless it has a SoundBug
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
And if one marker comes on with F2, then that marker is wired to the purple wire and the lighting CVs are all set to the default (which would be the headlights operated by F0, the green wire operated by F1, and the purple wire by F2)
Hey Guys
I must have taken the decoder numbers off the wrong part of my decoder manuals.
Ever loco I have is sound equiped with sound and motor all-in-one decoders except for the 4-4-0 and a high rail truck.
I'll have to get out the Power Cab manual and master it before I go on to the other computers.
I have three computers that have the new windows 10 just installed on them. This has been a night mare. I'm going to have to get a computer "Geek" to set down with me and bring me up to speed, if that is possible for a 77 year old.
I'm sorry to bring everone in to my mess.
Thanks all.
I upgraded my computers to Windows 10 and JMRI continued to work. I use a PR3 though. The NCE USB driver should just reinstall.