First, I am very new to DCC.
I have installed the above and everything was working fine. Horn, Bell, Light, FWD, REV.
I was looking at getting the mars light set up (bet didn't yet) when this happened.
I set everything up on the track. Plugged everthing in sound started up like normal. I hit a button on the NCE Power CAB. I do not know what i did.
Now the only thing that works is the engine start up sounds.
I have tried using the CV8 reset from the Program on Main. Selected CV8 put in a value of 8. Turned off power. turned it back on. The head light flashes 16 times. But I still do not have any other functions.
I have even gone to the Program Track. When I put in any CV number it tries to read it and I get Cannot read CV.
I have what I call a n Elmer that I am leaning on to help me with this and I have also reached out to Soundtraxx via email and they are helping also.
I do not find any issues with the board as far as shorts or wiring issues.
At this point I have no idea what the engine code is. That may be the problem but I have no idea how to figure out what it is now.
I am at a brick wall here and appreciate the help that I am already receiveing but would like to hear what anyone else has to say.
Just remmeber, like I said in the begining, this is all new to me and I a finding the NCE manual to be very challenging reading and understanding.
So, with that said, I ask that if you have any suggestions, please give them to me step by step, button by button.
Until I get more comfortable with this stuff, I feel like I am walking in a completley dark room.
Thanks
Bob
When you re-set the decoder, it goes to the default address of 3. Try the loco on this address to see if it works. Check the NCE manual to see if you nees to enter3, 03, or 003 for the address. If this works, change address to road number.
Bob,
If you have successfully reset your decoder as you stated, all you need to do is...
Now use either the thumbwheel or speed buttons to get your locomotives moving down the track...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
When doing a reset ,after you have entered the CV-8 you need to remove the power to the loco to make a reset work. Disconnect the power or lift one side of the loco off the rail to do this. If the reset worked the loco should now run on address # 3. If this does not work then I suspect a failed decoder-
davet354tfdI have tried using the CV8 reset from the Program on Main. Selected CV8 put in a value of 8. Turned off power. turned it back on. The head light flashes 16 times. But I still do not have any other functions.
The OP indicated that he did cycle power...
davet354tfdI set everything up on the track. Plugged everthing in sound started up like normal. I hit a button on the NCE Power CAB. I do not know what i did. Now the only thing that works is the engine start up sounds.
There isn't any button you could press that would make the decoder go bad. However, you might have somehow changed a setting - possibly accidently changed the engine ID number. If the decoder is set to do start-up sounds whenever it detects power (even if it's ID is not selected), it would do what you describe. Sounds would start up, but it would not respond to any function buttons.
davet354tfdI have even gone to the Program Track. When I put in any CV number it tries to read it and I get Cannot read CV. At this point I have no idea what the engine code is. That may be the problem but I have no idea how to figure out what it is now.
Not being able to read CVs on the programming track doesn't mean you can't program the CVs.
A suggestion - CV1 is the CV for a "short" ID address (127 or less). Put your engine on the programming track, and program CV1 to the last two digits of the engine's road number (so like if it's engine 2344, change CV1 to 44). Don't worry if you can't read it back. Then try it on the layout and see if it responds to the two-digit ID you just programmed.
I have the Engine back on line. I have now been able to change the engine # to the number on the side of the engine. Partial Success!!
I have FX3 set up to be the Mars Light. I have reset CV51 to 130 (Mars=2 and LED=128)
I have gone in and turned on FT24 and when I press EXPN it shows 4.
So, I think I have everything set right for the MArs Light.
Now the only problem is how do I turn on/off the Mars Light?
What button or sequence of buttons do I need to do that?
I know there is a way to program a button to do that but at this point with how the manual is written it is way beyond my capabilites right now.
Any help getting this done would be appreciated.
Per Table A on page 5 of the Economi Diesel user's guide, the default function button for FX3 is F24. See if that works.
Per Table O (page 44) you might try reading the amount in CV 33 and adding 16. CV33 controls F0-fwd. It would mean the Mars light and front headlight would both come on when you press F0 and the engine is set to go forward. Might be 'good enough' for now, you can change it later - maybe when you get Decoder Pro set up.
I really appreciate the help here.
I know that F24 is the default for FX3.
But, I do not have a F24 "Button".
What is the F24 button or what sequence of buttons to I need to push to get F24 to activate?
DCC controllers only have 10 actual function buttons, labelled 0 through 9. However, most DCC systems have a "shift" button. Shifting once changes the buttons to 10-19, twice changes it to 20-29. So shifting once makes the F4 button F14, twice makes it F24. Your DCC system's manual will tell you what to press to do the shift.
Otherwise, if you're now able to read CVs, read the value in CV33. Add 16 to that number and reprogram CV33 to that amount. That should mean the main headlight and FX3 (Mars light) should both be on when the engine is set to go forward. If you can't read the CV, it looks like the normal setting is 1, so 17 should make the headlight and Mars light go on.