Not sure what you are getting at? The PH Pro command station is essentially unchanged since the earliest days of DCC< hence an actual serial port and not a USB. Thje problem with FTDI cheapo cables is that the cheapo ones are usually counterfeit FTDI chips which FTDI has made an issue of by having their drivers brick the chip. They caught some legitimate FTDI chips too, which natually angered many end users, who complained to the cable or device manufacturer, and the backlash on FTDI was pretty epic. But that was a couple of years ago. A GENUINE FTDI chip is generally fine.
The NCE USB interface is a completely differnet thing. It's meant for the PowerCab systemn, and has a USB one one end to go to the computer, and talks via the cab bus on the other end. Everythign the PowerCab can do, can be accessed via commands set over the cab bus. This is not true of the PH Pro. The serial port has more access to the system side of things than you cna get through the cab bus, so for full functionality you need to connect via the serial port. Be that an actual serial port or through a serial to USB adapter.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker The PowerPro system has a serial port already on the command station to connect, which is the right way to connect that system to a PC, the USB Interface has too many limitations with the full PowerPro system.
I'm hard-pressed to imagine anything a DB9 serial connection could do -- if modern computers had them native -- that even USB2 wouldn't seamlessly handle. RS422 or 485... maybe. But NCE's appears to be RS232C, and that protocol is nearly two tin cans and a string by modern USB standards...
Hi, After 6 years off (to open and sell a successful independent bookstore!) I hooked up my PowerCab and downloaded a new copy of JMRI and they seem to work well together via the USB interface! I wish my memory was as good! I have a question: JMRI seems to be able to read the CV's of 6 yr old decoders well on the programming track (set up using NCE Autoswitch Rev.B) but the PowerCab says it cannot read the CV's. Do I need to "Configure the USB interface" in JMRI under the NCE tab and do I use "Cab 02" (the cab on the PowerCab) or some other number for the USB interface? (In the original set up of JMRI I set it to NCE-Power Cab) Thanks
For me the USB module interface works very well between the Power Cab and JMRI. And I mainly use Decoder Pro for storing my programmed settings for each locomotive and some programming that's more straightforward than trying to do it through the Power Cab - e.g. lighting effects or button remapping. Just like DCC, you can getting into JMRI as much or as little as you like.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I have the Power Cab and found that out some years ago.
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.
It's the ONLY option for connecting a PowerCab to a PC for JMRI. The PowerPro system has a serial port already on the command station to connect, which is the right way to connect that system to a PC, the USB Interface has too many limitations witht he full PowerPro system. But for PowerCab - the USB Interface is the only game in town.
I've read what I can find on the NCE site, understood half of it. I currently have an NCE Powercab and added the USB interface so I can program with JMRI on my Mac. I want to make a 3' programming track I can move around, use on the bench top, kitchen table top, etc. Is the USB interface still the best way to connect a PC/Mac to the NCE system? Are there other options? Thanks!