Your welcome Ron,
If you ever figure out how to write the program to the mini panel let us know.
NCE has a Macro panel announced but I have no idea what it would include.
Kelly
www,finescale360.com
I know this is an old thread but I thought I would post my experiance while it is still fresh in my mind.
You can save the Mini Panel data to JMRI with the USB adaptor. Here is what you do:
1) setup a new loco in JMRI with a name like NCE Mini Panel.
2) Under decoder choose NMRA, and then Raw CVs 1-255
3) Set JMRI to "Direct Byte Mode"
4) Under the CVs Tab hit "read" for CV #1
5) If it fails the first time tray again, it shoud work.
6) read all CVs.
Now you have a backup of the mini panel. If you ever want to restor it just write the CVs back to the mini panel.
A few notes:
If you are using the Power Cab the address needs to be set to 3. You need to use the curly cable that came with your power cab to program the mini panel. You have to set the programming jumper to program. The USB also needs to be set to 3 with a ProCab setup but you can read the CVs with both the mini panel and usb set to 3.
I have not figured out how to program the CVs in JMRI and then write to the mini panel. What I do is make a spread sheet, manually program the mini panel with the hand held, then back it up.
Thanks again to Rich Maxman Greg and others. This forum is awesome and appreciated. I just assumed that many folks were using the Mini Panel, anyway to keep it short I was finally able to get through to NCE and was very pleased with the responce I received from two technicians. It seems that this little device as amazing as it is, can only store the one program that is written through the Power Cab controller. Yes, the info will remain in the device until removed, but cannot be saved by normal means. It seems there is a way by using their USB card via JMRI, but it is very complicated and not recommended for the weak of heart. So again thank you all for your interest in helping a new commer to this wonderful world of DCC. And thanks again to NEC Corp for their willing help. Now for JMRI, it's full speed ahead. Ron Mason Canada.
Thanks folks for the advise so far, and the idea of storage within its non volatile memory. I just figured that since NCE also produce a USB interface which I have, it would be a simple matter to save the work in the computer for future use.
Ron, your initial post was not clear. It sounded like the Mini Panel was not working correctly. It certainly was not clear that you were looking for some way to save programming onto your computer.
Go to Yahoo Groups and register on the NCE DCC Forum. Those guys have considerable expertise with NCE products including the Mini Panel. They can direct you toward appropriate options for saving Mini Panel programming.
Rich
Alton Junction
RBMason(The last time I called a software company in CA. I was put on hold for over half an hour. the phone bill was more than the software.) This is why I"m a bit sceptical of phone enquiries.
NCE doesn't have an answering machine, nor do they have an operator who will put you on hold until she "reaches the proper department". When you call, and if it is during business hours, you'll either get a busy signal or the person who answers will try to help you.
Are you familiar with JMRI (Java Model Railroad Interface)? They do some amazing things, and maybe they have already added something to their program that will help you program a mini-panel. If they do, then that will save any information you compile for programming the mini panel. They have a Yahoo group. You have to join the group to ask questions, but that doesn't cost you anything. See http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/jmriusers/info
Thanks folks for the advise so far, and the idea of storage within its non volatile memory. I just figured that since NCE also produce a USB interface which I have, it would be a simple matter to save the work in the computer for future use. Anyway, I will try to call the company on the phone. (The last time I called a software company in CA. I was put on hold for over half an hour. the phone bill was more than the software.) This is why I"m a bit sceptical of phone enquiries. Thank you all again, this system is amazing. Ron.
like most NCE products, i believe the settings are actual stored in non-volatile memory which retain their values after power is turned off.
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
RBMason I sent acouple of e-mails to NCE, but never got a reply.
Don't e-mail them. Call.
Thanks for the reply...Yes. I sent acouple of e-mails to NCE, but never got a reply. I have since then watched a number of videos on the internet on using the Mini Panel and none mention saving the program. It just seems like a great devise for programming simple layouts, but again why would one not be able to save the work. Am I missing something that's very obvious. I am quite new to DCC and use NCE equipment.
You have obviously never been a programmer of software of any type.
No professional who writes software for a living would ever program for hours on end with saving and testing periodically.
That is what you should do. Program a few sequences, then save and test.
If you cannot save your program, then either you are doing something wrong or the Mini-Panel is faulty. My bet is that you are doing something wrong.
Give us more information on how you go about trying to save what you have programmed.
If all else fails, contact NCE for help.
Another suggestion would be to register on the NCE-DCC forum which is part of Yahoo groups and ask for help there.
But to get help, you gotta tell someone what you are doing and what is not working.
Otherwise, it becomes nothing more than a rant.
Can anyone please explain why nothing is ever mentioned about how to save all the programming work done to control a layout using the NCE Mini-Panel. I spent many hours writing a program but could not save it. Most frustrating.. Thanks.