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NCE PowerCab - Possible to Reprogram Key Values for F13 thru F28?

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  • Member since
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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 4:20 AM

Rick, I sent you a PM.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, October 3, 2015 2:51 PM

Rick, definitely try the NCE-DCC forum on Yahoo.  If anyone can provide a definitive answer one way or another, it will be on that forum.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by rallison on Saturday, October 3, 2015 1:15 PM

richhotrain
rrinker

 Do you have that file from a web site, like NCE's? You can't link a file from the C drive of your computer. If it's just something you put together I can put it on my web site to link it here for you.

                       --Randy

 

 Hmm, it is a PDF file on the NCE web site and, for some reason, it only wants to download when I copy and paste the link.

 

But, here is the text of the download.

******************************

2009

The AddendumÂ’s Addendum

(...)

Rich, Randy --

I think the procedure described in 2009 addendum's addendum is essentially the equivalent of setting the Option button to 122 and using it to access the F13-28 functions.

So I'll check the Yahoo Groups or maybe even call NCE support just to be sure; but it sounds like my options are limited. If I find a solution--especially if I it turns out there are key values that can be used for them--I'll post what I find.

Thanks again, all!

-Rick

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Posted by rallison on Saturday, October 3, 2015 1:08 PM

mlehman

 (...)

You can move the functionality of F13 and above down to the first group of keys that need only a single stroke, but that would require bumping what's there up to the second and third tiers.

Mike,

Thanks--yeah, the only workaround I can see is swapping the frequently-used high-numbered functions with some of those numbered at or below 12. The trade-off is that then I end up with fewer available one-button functions, given that three of the number buttons will still duplicate the 'Horn/Whistle', 'Bell', and 'Headlight' buttons.

If I don't find NCE key values for F13-F28, I'll just need to limit the number of 1-button harmonized functions to 12.

Thanks for the reply,

-Rick

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Posted by rallison on Saturday, October 3, 2015 12:55 PM

richhotrain

There is an NCE-DCC forum on Yahoo Groups.  You ought to register there.  There are several experts on the NCE-DCC forum who could help you with these re-mapping issues.

Rich

Thanks, Rich -- I'll do that. I've used YG for a number of specialty interests, and it's possible someone there will be deep enough into the guts of PowerCab that they'll have the values for F13+. Much appreciated.

-Rick

  • Member since
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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, October 3, 2015 12:13 PM

rrinker

 Do you have that file from a web site, like NCE's? You can't link a file from the C drive of your computer. If it's just something you put together I can put it on my web site to link it here for you.

                       --Randy

 

Hmm, it is a PDF file on the NCE web site and, for some reason, it only wants to download when I copy and paste the link.

But, here is the text of the download.

******************************

2009

The AddendumÂ’s Addendum

The process to access additional Function numbers (F10 through F28) of the Pro Cab in the Addendum is correct. However, there is an easier way to do it!!

Without changing any of the key values, press and HOLD DOWN the SHIFT key. While holding the Shift key down, press the HEADLIGHT key once to access F10 through F19. While holding the Shift key down, press the Headlight key one more time to access F20 through F28. Release both buttons. You will see the F10-F19 or F20-F28 displayed on the Pro Cab LCD in the lower, right corner.

To turn on or off a function, just press the LAST digit of the function number. For example: To turn on Function 14, press and HOLD DOWN the SHIFT key while you press the HEADLIGHT key. Release the Headlight and Shift key. Then press the 4 button. Function 14 will turn on.

To turn on Function 23, press and HOLD DOWN the SHIFT key while you press the HEADLIGHT key TWICE. Release the HEADLIGHT and SHIFT key. Then press the 3 button. Function 23 will turn on.

This is a toggle key sequence. When you turn a Function on, you will need to go through the sequence again to turn the Function off.

If the cab is tethered (NOT in radio mode), press the EXPN key and you can see which function is turned on or off. This is a display only, you must go back to SHIFT and HEADLIGHT keys to actually turn a function on or off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alton Junction

  • Member since
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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Saturday, October 3, 2015 10:22 AM

 Do you have that file from a web site, like NCE's? You can't link a file from the C drive of your computer. If it's just something you put together I can put it on my web site to link it here for you.

                       --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, October 3, 2015 4:30 AM

I cannot say for sure how the PowerCab works since I own the ProCab (PH-Pro command station), but the programming of the two systems are similar in many respects including Extended Function Control.

It does not appear possible to remap to a single keystroke, but the ProCab does provide a simplified procedure in lieu of the Option key approach.

file:///C:/Users/G/Downloads/F10-F28%20Shift%20Keys.pdf

I assume that this may work for the Power Cab as well, but I cannot say for sure.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by mlehman on Saturday, October 3, 2015 2:23 AM

rallison
What I'm looking for a way to map some of the extended functions to a single key. The next section in the manual, Cab Setup, discusses how to do that in step 10. It shows the default Key Table Chart of values, and then shows the contoller with the keys numbered (1-32), and then provides a table of available values that can be mapped to any key #. But none of them are the values for F13 and up, and that's what I was hoping to find out about.

Rick,

I don't use those keys, but I'm pretty sure there's no way to address F13 and up with one button push. The extra keystrokes are what provide access to the additional functionality, i.e. they're stacked and that's how you get to them further down in the stack.

You can move the functionality of F13 and above down to the first group of keys that need only a single stroke, but that would require bumping what's there up to the second and third tiers.

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, October 2, 2015 5:15 PM

There is an NCE-DCC forum on Yahoo Groups.  You ought to register there.  There are several experts on the NCE-DCC forum who could help you with these re-mapping issues.

Rich

Alton Junction

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    May 2014
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Posted by rallison on Friday, October 2, 2015 1:07 PM

Thanks for the reply, woodone.

Yes, I'm at 1.65, and I've already programmed the Option key to value of 122, so I can use the Option key to get to the extended functions.

What I'm looking for a way to map some of the extended functions to a single key. The next section in the manual, Cab Setup, discusses how to do that in step 10. It shows the default Key Table Chart of values, and then shows the contoller with the keys numbered (1-32), and then provides a table of available values that can be mapped to any key #. But none of them are the values for F13 and up, and that's what I was hoping to find out about.

Thanks again!

  • Member since
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  • From: Phoenix, AZ
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Posted by woodone on Friday, October 2, 2015 12:32 PM
I will guess that you have a REV. 1.65 Cab. Look on page 18 -EXTENDED FUNCTION CONTROL (F10-F28) in your PowerCab Manual
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NCE PowerCab - Possible to Reprogram Key Values for F13 thru F28?
Posted by rallison on Friday, October 2, 2015 12:05 PM

Per a post I made a while back I've switched from DCS to DCC, and am now using NCE's PowerCab to run a mix of engines (two MTH & two BLI) on my 5'x9' layout. I've managed well enough at reading the NCE PowerCab manual that I've been able to re-map CVs to harmonize a few of my heavily-used functions across the different engines, which sure simplifies operating multiple locos simultaneously. 

(For example--BLI uses F9 for startup/shutdown; MTH uses F3. Since I find it easier to re-set CVs on the BLI engines, I've set them to use F3 for startup/shutdown also. Now I don't have to remember two different keys for that function, and recall which is which for which... ditto for grade crossing signaling, etc.)

So far so good. BUT:

Now I'm looking for a way to move my most commonly used functions to the easiest-to-access keys, so I'm not having to hit as many keys to trigger those functions. For example: I've harmonized the CVs so that, when the engine is not moving, F22 will arm the coupler slack sound on any of the four engines. Still, I have to press three keys -- [Option]->[Option]->[2] -- on the PowerCab to get to F22.

Per the NCE PowerCab Manual 'Cab Setup' section steps 10 [on page 21 in the pdf version I have] you can re-program the value for each 'key number' [shown on page 22] to re-map which actions and/or DCC functions are triggered by a particular key. The possible key values are shown in a table underneath Cab Setup step 10.

No key values are shown, however, for F13 through F28.

So, NCE PowerCab users: Is it not possible to map functions above F12 to be triggered by a single key?

If it is possible, I'd appreciate a pointer to a table for the key table values for F13-F28, or a how-to primer explaining how I can determine those values.

Otherwise, I have to reset a whole lotta CVs to move those commonly-used functions down to F0-F12...

Thanks in advance for any and all helpful replies!

-Rick

 

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