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NCE Power Pro+SoundTraxx PTB-100=no changing loco address+no programming track option

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NCE Power Pro+SoundTraxx PTB-100=no changing loco address+no programming track option
Posted by Valeriy on Sunday, October 26, 2014 6:51 AM

Hello,
I have NCE DCC Power Pro 5 Amp System.
There is a problem to change loco address with Tsunami sound decoder on programming track.
I bought SoundTraxx PTB-100 and tried to change loco address but had no result.
I connected PTB-100 as it noted in PTB-100 Programming Track Booster Instruction.
When power supply and command station turned on,  all  3 status LEDs flashed 5 times slow and after it only green LED flashed slow.
I placed my Walthers Proto USRA 0-8-0 with Tsunami sound decoder on programming track.
I pressed the PROG button on my NCE ProCab 4 times and got the programming track menu. I pressed Enter button and saw on display “Short circuit detected”. The status light on NCE booster flashed quickly some seconds. PTB-100 green LED flashed slow. I pressed Enter button again and saw on display “0=quit 1=program anyway” I pressed 1 and saw on display “1=std 2=CV 3=reg” I pressed 1 and saw “Main off ---wait---“ NCE booster flashed quickly and  PTB-100 green LED flashed slow. Some seconds later I saw on display “Main off can not read CV” I pushed Enter button again and each time I saw “Can not read CV” When I saw on display “PAG Mode Short addr:” I enter 024 and pressed Enter button. I saw on display “Activate this addr? 1=Yes” I pushed 1 and saw “Activate ---Wait---“ and later “Setup Address ---Wait---“ and after some seconds “Setup Address Can not read CV”. All this time  the status light on NCE booster flashed quickly and PTB-100 green LED flashed slow. I exited the program track mode and connect my NCE system to the main track to check the address of my steam engine. The address of model was the same – 3.
Please, let me know what is wrong? Is PTB-100 works correct?
What I must do to change address of my locomotive on programming track?
After this my NCE system works incorrect.            
I pressed the PROG button on my NCE 4 times and got the programming track menu. I pressed Enter button and saw on display “Short circuit detected”. But I did not connect wires to programming tracks terminals of the system box!
I reset my command station (as it noted on NCE site link: https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201401505-PH-Pro-Powerhouse-5amp-Command-Station-reset) but have the same result.
What is wrong?
What I must do to use this NCE programming track option correct?
 
Sincerely,
Valeriy Ukolov.
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  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
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Posted by cacole on Sunday, October 26, 2014 7:35 AM

I think you may have the PTB-100 wires backwards, (input wires connected to output) or there is a short circuit in your programming track, or layout wiring.

Had you used the programming track successfully before installing the PTB?  The LEDs should not be flashing when the system is turned on, as you describe, unless there is a short circuit somewhere in your layout wiring.

I always use Programming on the Main instead of the Programming Track with Tsunami decoders and never have any problems.

With the system's LEDs flashing as you describe, I think you have a short circuit somewhere other than the programming track. 

When the PowerHouse Pro is turned on, you should be immediately getting a yellow LED indication for the TRACK light and the STATUS light should remain off.  If this is not what you're getting, check all of your track wiring.

Note Page 15 of the Power Pro System Reference Manual, STATUS LIGHT paragraph, which indicates that a slow, steady flashing LED indicates a short circuit.

 

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Posted by Valeriy on Sunday, October 26, 2014 7:52 AM

Thank you for your reply.

As I noted I connected PTB-100 correct. I used programming track before PTB-100 without any problems, no, I had only one problem - it was impossible to program SoundTraxx decoders on programming track. My display noted "Can not read CV"

Now I changed loco address (loco with SoundTraxx Tsunami) on the main.

Now my NCE detected short circuit on the programming track without any connection to programming tracks terminals. This is the main problem.

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Posted by cacole on Sunday, October 26, 2014 7:58 AM

If you made any changes at all to the track wiring terminal block at the booster, and are using stranded wire, make sure there is no loose strand touching the opposite wire.  Also check the wiring where you installed the booster to insure no loose wire strands touching.

Also make sure you didn't leave a metal object laying somewhere on the track that is shorting it out (even a pair of eyeglass frames).

 

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Posted by Valeriy on Sunday, October 26, 2014 8:46 AM

Please, see this link: http://smages.com/index.php?group=prlbfjaw

I posted 2 images of my NCE. You may see there are no wires connected to programming tracks terminals, but NCE ProCab has on display "Short circuit detected". All others options of NCE works well (programming on the main, operating locos). I lost only programming on the track option and don`t know what I must do to reanimation this option.

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Posted by Valeriy on Sunday, October 26, 2014 8:52 AM

Additional information.

Status LED light (red) and track LED light (yellow) works correct.

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Posted by cacole on Sunday, October 26, 2014 9:22 AM

If everything except the programming track is working properly and you're sitll getting a programming track short circuit indication, remove the programming track connector block from the command station and see if the programming track still indicates a short.

If this clears the problem, there may be a loose strand of wire stuck inside the connector block shorting it.

If you still get a short circuit indication, try a system reset.  Instructions are at the bottom of page 13 of the System Reference Manual, 'Battery Connect Jumper'.

If none of this solves the problem, I don't know what else to suggest except to contact NCE by email and see what they suggest.

http://www.ncedcc.com/contact-nce/c1ezl

Their contact form is under the 'Information' tab.

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Posted by Valeriy on Sunday, October 26, 2014 10:05 AM

I done "battery Connect Jumper". No progress.

One detail. When I got the programming track menu and pressed Enter buttun, status LED flashed rapid 5 times and after it sheady on and the Cab display noted "Short circuit detected".

Do you have this status LED flashed rapid when you pressed Enter button?

 

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Posted by cacole on Sunday, October 26, 2014 10:14 AM

Yes, the red status LED flashes rapidly continuously when in the Program Track mode. 

Unfortunately, it sounds like you need to contact NCE and see what they say to do.  I don't know what else to suggest because I have never had such a problem with either of my NCE PowerHouse Pro systems (one at home and one at the club).

 

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Posted by Valeriy on Sunday, October 26, 2014 10:24 AM

You are right.

I sent my question to NCE 2 days ago but have no answer.

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, October 26, 2014 10:27 AM

duplicate post

Alton Junction

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Posted by cacole on Sunday, October 26, 2014 10:33 AM

Valeriy

I sent my question to NCE 2 days ago but have no answer.

 

 
Well, remember, it's the weekend, and they are closed.  They may be away at a train show somewhere, too, and may take a week or so to answer.
 
NCE is basically a one-man operation for tech support.
 
 
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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, October 26, 2014 10:38 AM

cacole

 

 
Valeriy

I sent my question to NCE 2 days ago but have no answer.

 

 

 
Well, remember, it's the weekend, and they are closed.  They may be away at a train show somewhere, too, and may take a week or so to answer.
 
NCE is basically a one-man operation for tech support.
 
 
 

A better method than email would be a phone call to Larry.  He always answers the phone.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by Valeriy on Sunday, October 26, 2014 10:56 AM

Thank you for your information. Is it this number - 585-265-0230?

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, October 26, 2014 11:07 AM

Valeriy

Thank you for your information. Is it this number - 585-265-0230?

 

Yes, that is correct.  Larry almost always answers the phone and, if not Larry, then Matt.

These guys are very customer oriented, and they are very knowledgeable.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, October 26, 2014 11:27 AM

Valeriy, have you tried removing the PTB-100 and then trying a different loco on the Programming Track to be sure that your NCE system is working correctly once again as it did before installing the PTB-100?

Do I understand you correctly that the PTB-100 has not workd correctly at all since it was first installed?

Rich

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Posted by Valeriy on Monday, October 27, 2014 11:12 AM

Rich, NCE system worked correct, and it was possible to programm locos with different decoders (except SoundTraxx) on Programming Track before PTB-100.

You are right, when I installed PTB-100 and tried to programm loco with SoundTraxx with the help of PTB-100 my NCE system detected short circuit. All this time PTB-100 green LED flashed slow.

Valeriy.

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Posted by Valeriy on Monday, October 27, 2014 11:18 AM

I received answer from NCE some minutes ago:

'Your command station is damaged please send it in for service. I believe that the programming track output is damaged
 
No RMA number needed for repairs
Include your contact info and a description of the problem.
FYI- repair turnaround time currently stands at 2 weeks"
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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, October 27, 2014 12:06 PM

Valeriy

I received answer from NCE some minutes ago:

'Your command station is damaged please send it in for service. I believe that the programming track output is damaged
 
No RMA number needed for repairs
Include your contact info and a description of the problem.
FYI- repair turnaround time currently stands at 2 weeks"
 

Wow, if that is true, you have to wonder how that happened.

If you disconnect the PTB-100 and remove it altogether, can you then program a non-sound loco on the Programming Track?

Or does the Programming Track not work at all now?

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by Valeriy on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 7:51 AM

Programming Track is out of work now.

NCE added: "Something definitely went wrong with the PTB-100. I am unsure if it was / is a configuration issue or a defective board".

Valeriy.

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  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
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Posted by cacole on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 8:53 AM

If (when) you send your system back to NCE for repair, I'd also include the PTB-100 so they can check it and find out what went wrong, along with all the emails and other information you can provide to them.

 

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Posted by Valeriy on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 10:35 AM

Yes, you are right. I`ll do it.

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