Hi guys.
My old Power cab version 1.1still works great. But after a short the screen goes black and will not come back unless I unplug it and restart the system.
So I decided a while ago of getting a new one. I did. Version 1.28. works great and I have up to 28 functions. And I like the 6 recall slots instead of 2. There is a problem though. After exiting the program track mode the bell is slotted to F5 instead of F1. I have to go into cab functions and select F1 for bell. Anyone else having this issue? Should I send it to NCE?
The first time it happened, it took me hours going through the decoder seeing if I had remapped the bell. But everything was good in the decoder. I just so happened to find it in the Power cab manual under cab parameters by accident.
Other than that it works great.
Pete
Did you ever get the chip upgrade NCE offered a few years ag? I did.
Some years ago the back light failed on mine and NCE repaired it for free since I had registered it when I bought it it. Some pass up the registrtion.
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.
How long was a while ago? The current version is 1.65B
https://www.ncedcc.com/online-store/Power-Cab-Firmware-Upgrade-Chip-1-65B-p39551974
The upgrades to the firmware are real upgrades that fix previous flaws. I don't know if what you describe is a known flaw or not.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Sounds like you have firmware v1.65, that's a known bug of the bell changing to F3 after using the program track. You really want to order the 1.65B version which is the latest and fixes that along with some other bugs.
https://www.ncedcc.com/online-store/EPROM-Power-Cab-Firmware-Upgrade-Chip-1-65B-p39551974
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I just got it 2 weeks ago. I will contact NCE. It should have come with the latest firmware. Ordered from Tonys train exchange. Yes I always register for the warranty. The book says ver.1.65. but the startup screen says ver.1.28.
I never did get the update chip for my old one. It must be about 15 years old now. Except for the black screen after a short it works just fine for the workbench.
Thanks
wrench567I just got it 2 weeks ago
That's pretty weird, especially with the 1.65 manual. I would think either Tony's or NCE will make it right.
Yea, it should definitely be V1.65B, since that version has been out for a few years now. I would contact TTF first and ask them what they want you to do. NCE will most likely ship you the latest upgrade EEPROM, which is a fairly straightforward installation. Just be careful to ground yourself before removing the EEPROM from its static-protective shell.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Okay. You have to press program/escape 5 times and enter to get the chip version. It is a version 1.65B. The power on screen now says Ver1.3 for some odd reason. I emailed NCE with the issue. Maybe there is a fix.
Pete,
You will see two separate screens on the LCD display at startup: The ProCab version (V1.3) then the Power Cab version (V1.65). The 2nd one is the one that tells you which version of the chip you have in your Power Cab.
1.65 (without the B) also had another bug - if the PowerCab reset was done, it would revert to acting like 1.28. That's another reason to be sure you have the 1.65B version.
They would have been digging pretty deep in the barrel to find one with older than 1.65B any time in the past year and a half, 2 years. Unless it was a return that they only did a cursory check to make sure all the pieces were there and maybe that it powered up, only the buyer pulled a fast one and swapped an older version.
August 2018 came with 1.65B. So I know it's been at least that long.