I just finished laying the mainline the other day and I wanted to check the track for issues and after connecting the power cab it started rebooting itself. I found that the leading tracks from the frog needed to be isolated after that it worked beautifully. Well it sat for two day and my nephew wanted to run a train tonight and the none of my engines would move. I double checked too make sure nothing was on the tracks to short it out. At this time I have no wiring ran for the layout the system is connect by a set of alligator clips. I also connect the system to a piece of flex track not connected to the layout with the same results. I then hooked it up to a small oval track then the sounds started to work hit and miss but the engines would not move. At this point I am at a loss any help would be appreciated for a DCC newbie. My power cab is Version 1.65 if that is important. John
The PowerCab rebooting itself is indicative of an electrical short. Are you sure you have the PowerCab's flat cable plugged into the LEFT socket of the circuit board and the power supply is connected to the correct terminals on the back of that board? Also make sure the alligator clips aren't touching each other or an adjacent component on the back of the circuit board.
Alligator clips are not a reliable way to connect the PowerCab to the track -- you should try to come up with something more permanent.
You should have a red light on the fascia mounting panel, if you do not you have the the power cab plugged into the wrong port.
I have had my Power Cab for a few years and very easy to use. The manual covers it all. Some fail to read it.
As indicated, the red LED is connected right to the DCC power that goes to the tracks. I have traced out the circuit on the panel. Couple others gave you info that is useful.
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.
I am going to second Rich's suggestion to re-read the manual in detail if you haven't already done so.
I just went through a hassle with my Power Cab not communicating with three different decoders. When I re-read the manual I realized that I was not setting the Power Cab to address loco #3 properly. I was trying to put in "003" instead of just "3". All three of the decoders were still set to the factory default address. Once I got the locomotive address set properly all my decoder problems magically disappeared.
The fact that you got sound at one point but no motor response suggests that you did not have the right address in the Power Cab.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Just an update...I re-read the manual to enusre I programmed the addresses correctly. The power cab was plugged into the proper port becasue the red LED was lit the entire time. I beleive that one of the wire I am using to connect to the track is bad because I reconnected it to a peice of flex track yesterday and everything work without any issues.
John
Hi John
I am a relative newbie also, had similar problem shorly after laying track. I ran 1 sound engine and 1 non sound for maybe 1 or 2 hours no problem then started to stop intermitently, then only sound. Contacted NCE talked with Larry. He was great but after trying everything that he thought could be a problem I sent in the power cab. Got it back they found it to be ok. Took both engines to LHS (local hobby shop) tried them there went through check on test track same results, left engines after trying a few ideas. I got call to come in and get them they had found that the wheels were dirty ( they didnt look bad at all). I now clean track with alcohol often, simple job and is quick and easy. Have also cleaned wheels on both engines with alcohol 1 time since problem (about 1 year). When working on layou it is so easy to end up with dirty track remember this for the future I know I will.
GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN
DanO22 Hi John I am a relative newbie also, had similar problem shorly after laying track. I ran 1 sound engine and 1 non sound for maybe 1 or 2 hours no problem then started to stop intermitently, then only sound. Contacted NCE talked with Larry. He was great but after trying everything that he thought could be a problem I sent in the power cab. Got it back they found it to be ok. Took both engines to LHS (local hobby shop) tried them there went through check on test track same results, left engines after trying a few ideas. I got call to come in and get them they had found that the wheels were dirty ( they didnt look bad at all). I now clean track with alcohol often, simple job and is quick and easy. Have also cleaned wheels on both engines with alcohol 1 time since problem (about 1 year). When working on layou it is so easy to end up with dirty track remember this for the future I know I will. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN
Dan I will definitley keep that in mind thanks for the heads up.