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PowerCab Ammeter Display

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 1,835 posts
PowerCab Ammeter Display
Posted by bearman on Saturday, February 23, 2019 1:01 PM

I have an NCE PowerCab which is being used as a throttle only since I installed an SB5 booster.  I have tried to activate the built in ammeter but it won't do it.  I press PROG/ESC, then 6, but the TRK Current message does not come on.  So, here are two questions, can it be done? If yes, does it have to be done on the programming track?

Bear "It's all about having fun."

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Saturday, February 23, 2019 1:10 PM

Yes

No

What is on the screen when you press Prog/Esc then 6?

I see Set Cab Params.  Then Press Enter.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Saturday, February 23, 2019 1:23 PM

If it is being used as a throttle only, then there is no current flowing through it.  So even if you could get it to display, I don't think you'd get any reading,

But that's just a guess on my part.

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
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Posted by tstage on Saturday, February 23, 2019 1:26 PM

Bear,

No, the ammeter will only work with the Power Cab as a standing alone system using the PCP panel.  Once you connect it to the SB5 - albeit directly, or via a UTP panel - the SB5 bypasses the built-in power supply of the Power Cab and you lose that particular feature.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 1,835 posts
Posted by bearman on Saturday, February 23, 2019 1:32 PM

Henry, I get Set Cab Parameters but I don't get TRK Current when I press enter again and again.  I suspect that Tom and Maxman are correct.  It is not possible.

Bear "It's all about having fun."

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Saturday, February 23, 2019 1:38 PM

I guess that really makes it a ProCab, and they are corrrect.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Saturday, February 23, 2019 4:01 PM

It worked on my Power Cab but not at the club with the five amp power pro.

I made them a five amp DCC amp meter. Much less cost than the rrampmeter.

http://www.circuitous.ca/DCCammeter10.html

I made one for me but did not really need it.

For the club I used a large red LED voltmeter so everyone could see it in the club.

For myself, a Harbor Freight multimeter on the 20ma current scale was fine but as I said, did not really need it. I just wanted to see how everything worked. I use to enjoy working with circuits.

Some said it would not work or be accurate but it was.

I clipped a high wattage rheostat across the rails and lowered the resistance.The booster tripped at 4.97 amps. Close enough.

The man who developed the circuit tested everything. He use to show the meter.

What I found interesting is the meter shows across the rails 13.6 VAC on the power cab and about 13.7vac on the power pro. A good bench mark for troubleshooting in the future.

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.

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