Sometimes when a short appears it is because of a previus short caused a gap closing or developing a whisker, I think a whisker is more likely because it dose not short instantly. Wonder how I know this, I can tell you it is not in any manual that I ever read, sidenote, don't leave a caulk gun on the rails and always check for items before starting up.
I'm still waiting to hear what the current reading from the cab is while he is operating -- ideally what the device reads at the time it 'resets'.
BigDaddy jjdamnit The batteries in the cab? The PC doesn't have a battery AFAIK..If it does, mine is still good. still waiting to hear if this shut down reset occurs on the high resistance track.
jjdamnit The batteries in the cab?
The PC doesn't have a battery AFAIK..If it does, mine is still good.
still waiting to hear if this shut down reset occurs on the high resistance track.
It does not. It happens anywhere on the layout.
richhotrainFor testing purposes, I would remove the turnout near the high resistance section of track to see if the problem ceases to occur. I would test those four DPDT switches to ensure proper operation.
I'm leaning this way too. How do I test the DPDT switches? All of their soldering joints seem solid.
Sorry it's taking so long to reply. I have an elderly dog who is taking up a lot of time.
Phil
WilScarletMacaw richhotrain For testing purposes, I would remove the turnout near the high resistance section of track to see if the problem ceases to occur. I would test those four DPDT switches to ensure proper operation. I'm leaning this way too. How do I test the DPDT switches? All of their soldering joints seem solid.
richhotrain For testing purposes, I would remove the turnout near the high resistance section of track to see if the problem ceases to occur. I would test those four DPDT switches to ensure proper operation.
Are your DPDT switches On-On or On-Off-On?
What is the purpose of the DPDT switches on your layout? Are you using them to kill power to the four tracks coming off the mainline?
If your wiring is stranded, be sure to look close for any loose strands of wire that may be touching other terminals or other wiring on the DPDT.
Rich
Alton Junction
Can you identify which turnout connects to the high resistance section of track?
Any recent work on the layout that could help lead to the problem?
WilScarletMacawI'm leaning this way too. How do I test the DPDT switches? All of their soldering joints seem solid.
do you still think exessive resistance can cause a short?
it can't
what does the power meter indicate?
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Overmod I'm still waiting to hear what the current reading from the cab is while he is operating -- ideally what the device reads at the time it 'resets'.
gregc what does the power meter indicate?
But, just how useful it is for diagnostic purposes such as a short circuit, I am not sure. If the Power Cab tries to reset because of a short that exceeds the capacity of the Power Cab (approximately 2 amps), it may try to reset before the Ammeter completes the measurement of the overcurrent. So, there may not be a reliable reading available.
I asked it this happens at the high resistance area and the OP said:
WilScarletMacawIt does not. It happens anywhere on the layout.
Maybe the high resistance area is a red herring. Perhaps another problem but not the one that is causing the PC to reset. The OP hasn't said there were recent changes to the track layout, so what would cause repeated shorts through out the layout?
If somehow a DPDT switch was the problem, how would it appear only on acceleration?
I have no answers, but I am getting the feeling there is some other major data point that we do not know and the OP has not recognized could be a problem.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
richhotrainBut, just how useful it is for diagnostic purposes such as a short circuit,
without any locos or cars with lights on the track, the ammeter should indicate zero. if it doesn't, there's a low level short in the trackwork that needs to be tracked down and fixed.
if it is the loco, which he said runs at low speed, then you might expect it to indicate close to shutdown current before increasing the speed and seeing the PowerCab shut down. this would suggest there's a problem with the loco. most HO locos don't draw more than 1A
if it indicates relatively little current, 0.2A, just before increasing the speed and causing the PowerCab to shutdown, it may be due to a faulty power supply that isn't supplying whatever the PowerCab is rated at (~1.3A). the power supply voltage is dropping at a relatively low current causing the PowerCab to shutdown because of insufficient votlage, not excessive current
Wow, two pages of speculation over six days and the OP still hasn't confirmed that the original power supply is working properly (supplying the correct voltage/current under load.)
Until he does, all this speculation is nothing but, well, speculation!
And there are at least a few reports from PowerCab users on the NCE list on groups.io about having to use "other" power supplies after the one that came with their now-out-of-warranty PowerCab has died. Since NCE doesn't make those power supplies available separately, those out-of-warranty PowerCab users really have no other choice. And since the OP stated he's still on the 1.28C firmware, we can be pretty sure (Yeah, I know - More speculation!) his PowerCab is out of warranty...
MrMeSince NCE doesn't make those power supplies available separately, those out-of-warranty PowerCab users really have no other choice
No choice? https://tinyurl.com/yg2zo8zs
BigDaddy MrMe Since NCE doesn't make those power supplies available separately, those out-of-warranty PowerCab users really have no other choice No choice? https://tinyurl.com/yg2zo8zs
MrMe Since NCE doesn't make those power supplies available separately, those out-of-warranty PowerCab users really have no other choice
You are both correct, the P114 is readily available. I was apparently going on unverified information, which I should not have done.
However, the two replies to my post seem to have completely missed or ignored the main point - Regardless of whether or not a replacement is available, until the OP confirms that his existing power supply has been tested to be operating correctly under load, all else is merely speculation.