On my layout ( HO DCC with and NCE command statiuon and two cab controllers, suddenly I can only control my trains ( 2 running at once) only one cab cotrol will work with recall for both locos.
The other controller has no effect whatsoever.
This happened suddenly.If I attempt to use the other cab control, nothing happens. NO throttle control, only on one cab control.
There seems to be no troubleshooting procedure that I can find for this problem.
Anyone had this problem?
Before this I could control each loco with a separate cab control.
I tried reprogramming the locos, but to no avail.
Let's say I have loco #6418 and loco #6488 running on my layout
Loco #6418 shows on both cab controls, but only one cab control will respond and let m use recall for both locos which only operate off of one cab controller.I can control throttle, whistle , bell and headlight on each loco when I use recall to flip from one loco to the other.
The second cab control, even though it is plugged in has no response to either loco.
I have 5 cab controls, and same problem regardless of which extra cab controls I try.Only one cab control allows operation of my two loc os.
Both locos are BLI steam engines with QSI sound. ONe other problem, I can only control the sound on one loco, turning it off or on, the other loco sound will not shut off.
I have six BLI steam locos, same problem on the sound regardless of which locos are running, can only shut the sound on or off of one loco.
One thought I have is could it be the backup battery in the command station have gone bad?
I have two fascia cab control plug ins , one on each side of the layout.
The same problem when plugged in at the other fascia plug in, so problem is common to both of them.
I was going to purchase a new one yesterday afternoon on the way home from the car service shop, but had to leave my car overnite because of a problem that cropped up during a normal service.
The dealer gave me a ride home.
Any nideas?
Thx in advance.
I'll check back here later today, been a long day, heading off to get some sleeep.
Not sure how NCE handles it, but most systems won't let you control any engine that is already addressed up on another throttle. Is there a way to release the two engines from the throttle that does run them ?
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
what are the "cab" IDs programmed into the other controllers? they need to be unique
NCE cabs wait to be polled before sending a button press or speed. they will only send a button press (e.g. horn) once. but they will resend the speed whenever polled
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Mark R. Not sure how NCE handles it, but most systems won't let you control any engine that is already addressed up on another throttle.
Not sure how NCE handles it, but most systems won't let you control any engine that is already addressed up on another throttle.
Rich
Alton Junction
gregc what are the "cab" IDs programmed into the other controllers? they need to be unique
This particular problem could be attributable to a battery in need of replacement, or it could be traced to some phenomenom that made the cab programming go haywire and in need of some sort of reset.
ok, which model (wireless) controllers are being used?
I can't speak for the OP but most likely the Pro Cab since he has the "NCE command station" by which I assume that he is referring to the PH-Pro 5 amp system.
He mad have had unique cab IDs previously set, but could have accidently changed it, depending on which cabs he's using. Something with a display if it shows the numbers, so either a ProCab or a Cab06. Two set on the same cab ID would explain why keying in the loco number on one makes it show up on both.
Can;t hurt to reset them. It's in the beginning of the manual how to set a cab ID. Pick unique but valid numbers for each and see if that solves the problem.
Don't throw parts at it, another cab won't fix anything, unless you really need a 6th one. ANd if the loco responds on one but not another, it's 99.9% not the loco.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
the cab4-6 addresses are set by holding down the select button when you plug it in. this is the same button used to select the loco address after it powers up.
Hence easy to accidently change when not meaning to.
Howdy ! ,
I don't have any cab controllers ID'd
My layout is 6 feet wide by 24 feet long. I have a yard on ther far side and if I want to control a particular loco for yard work, only one cab control ( I have 4) is now letting me control 2 locos via ( recall) on one side of the layout.
However only one cab control will function via recall, but not on any others.
I tried using just one cab control on each side of the layout but only one will function properly via recall.
Cabs are lit up, etc.
Question, could this be a possibility that the backup battery in the main unit?
I am going to drive over to Walmart and get a new one, install it and see what happens.
I do have the NCE Power Pro unit 5 amp unit.
It has a Panasonic CR 2032 3 volt small round disc type backup battery, much like a watch battery.
Perhaps it is bad?
I will replace it and see what happens
I'm certain it's not any of my locos.
Not sure what you mean by not having any cab controlelrs ID'd. All NCE cabs MUST have a unique cab address set to them when first introduced to the layout. You can't just buy one, plug it in, then go buy another new one, and just plug it in. One, or both, will not work.
It COULD be the battery, if it's the original one, never changed, and you've had the system for a while. Especailly if it spent a lot of time powered off and stored whil you built the layout. Cheap fix, and if it's a couple of years old, probably should be repalced anyway to prevent issues.
But do verify that both cabs have unique addresses. And that both are in the valid range of allowed addresses for the type of cabs they are.
Here is the excerpt from the NCE PH-Pro 5 amp manual explaining how to set the ProCab address.
Just as every locomotive has a separate number (address in DCC terms) each cab needs a separate address so the command station can distinguish one cab from another. Each ProCab is shipped from the factory with the address of 2. If this is not your first ProCab you will have to change the address before using the cab.
To easily change the address:
1. Power up your Power Pro system.
2. Plug in the ProCab cable to the CAB BUS connector of the Power Pro
3. Unplug your procab at the base of the cab
4. Press and hold the SELECT LOCO button while re-plugging in the cable you just removed from the cab
5. You should see the following display on the cab: NCE PROCAB V1.3 CAB ADDRESS = 02
6. The cursor will be flashing over the 0 of “02”. Type in the new cab number. In this case, you will press “3” (valid range = 1-63) followed by ENTER.
7. Press PROG/ESC to skip setting all the other cab setup options.
Thanks Rich, I appreciate your explanation!
I also had an earlier problem with a TCS decoder in one of my locos.
I had a friend who installs decoders in locos look at it and said mine was defective.
So for now I just going to set it aside.
I'll try and set up my cabs.
Thanks again Rich