So for Christmas I treated myself to the Katy SD70Ace - great looking loco - but it refuses to cooperate with my DCC system. I'm using the NCE Powercab. When I first set up the loco, I put it on the main, and it kept saying "CANNOT READ CV". Each time it said that, I pressed enter to move past it, and was eventually able to get the sound working and the loco would respond to throttle commands, but it did not like to be assigned anything but "3". The unit was not able to be in a consist (it really flaked out when other units were on the track during operations).
Now the sound works, but the throttle doesn't. My questions are:
1) Is the unit bad out of the box? Why does it say "CANNOT READ CV"?
2) Can I reset the loco to factory defaults and try again (and if so, how do I do that?)?
Thank you for your help. It's a great looking unit and I'd love to use it, but right now it's sitting on an isolated spur, sulking.
Drew
Drew,
MTH doesn't do DCC very well. All programming is done on the main - you can't use the program track with them. The instructions are fairly OK - there are notes in the manual on how to do it.
To reset the decoder use programming on the main, set CV 55 to a value of 55 on Loco 55 (it doesn't matter what the Loco number is for this) - why they do it this way is beyond me - just make sure you don't have a loco with address 55 on the track. Mind you I've always pulled all other loco's off before doing this.
I don't own any MTH myself but I have had to set them up for fellow club members.
Regards
Tim
First - my apologies - I should have posted this in the DCC forum, mods - is it possible to move the thread over?
Tim - Thanks for the reply. The MTH manual really doesn't go into any detail other than to outline what a few CV's are. I tried resetting the unit to 55, and I have the same problem. If I select Loco 3, and then press 3, the sound starts up and then idles - but the loco still won't move.
I don't have a specific "program track" that I'm aware of. I have the NCE system wired to my mainline. I removed all electrical equipment (locomotives, lighted passenger cars, EOT devices) so the MTH SD70 would be the only DCC device on the track. There's quite a bit of rolling stock in sidings and such, but that should be OK right?
When I do the initial program (before AND after I reset CV 55 to 55), I press PROG/ESC 4 times and then press Enter. It pauses for about 10 seconds, and says "CANNOT READ CV".
Is there anything else I can try? Or am I doing something wrong?
...or should I put this sucker on Ebay and buy the Genesis / Tsunami SD70ACe?! =P
I'm not aware of any DCC system that can read CVs while on the main. You can program on the main while in programming on the main mode(POM).
Perhaps the issue is not with the MTH unit as far as reading CVs?
I got an MP SD70ACe, put it on the track tested it out and everything was fine. The only problem I had was changing the unit number since I wanted a 4 digit number--I had to use the individual CVs(17,18,29) vs letting the DCC system do the work.
Make sure F3 is set for it to run. F21 is a reset function, outside of addressing. CV55 to 55 is the reset for everything. But, when you're on the main, the controller should be set to programming on the main (POM) not programming--at least in my case.
Richard
Good lord, you're going to put it on ebay and buy a unit with known problems. Why don't you just give MTH a call, they have very good technical support.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
I don't think there is a problem with the MTH loco. I think the OP tries programming the loco using the programming track option of his PowerCab.
MTH loco with the Proto Sound 3 decoders cannot be programmed using the program track. They must be programmed on the main, nowhere else. To enable 4 digits addressing on his loco, all he has to do using POM programming, is to set CV29 to a value of 38. That is all there is to it.
Jack W.
OK guys - thank you for your replies. Jack - you're right, I misunderstood Programming on the Main. I looked in the NCE book about how to program on the main, and have set the loco up that way. Sound now works, lights work - but still no motion forward or reverse.
I went into the Program on Main menu, and set up the short address as "3". I'd prefer it be 1988, but I'm not splitting hairs, I'll just be happy to get this thing moving again. Anyway, what other parameters must I set up before this loco will move? I know the motor works, it used to run along just fine (and other locos are working).
Thanks again,
Andrew
I have the CNW Heritage SD70ACe from MTH and the problem i have with mine is that I cant get it to marry up with my other loco's when I want to create a consist. In other words my MTH loco doesnt want to play with the others LOL!
wyldmanr8cer I have the CNW Heritage SD70ACe from MTH and the problem i have with mine is that I cant get it to marry up with my other loco's when I want to create a consist. In other words my MTH loco doesnt want to play with the others LOL!
To consist MTH locos, one must use "Universal Consist" aka "Old Style". Advance consisting will not work as MTH locos don't support CV19.
Using "Universal Consisting" will work but you will have to speed match your other locos to the MTH one.
Andrew_Seattle OK guys - thank you for your replies. Jack - you're right, I misunderstood Programming on the Main. I looked in the NCE book about how to program on the main, and have set the loco up that way. Sound now works, lights work - but still no motion forward or reverse. I went into the Program on Main menu, and set up the short address as "3". I'd prefer it be 1988, but I'm not splitting hairs, I'll just be happy to get this thing moving again. Anyway, what other parameters must I set up before this loco will move? I know the motor works, it used to run along just fine (and other locos are working). Thanks again, Andrew
To use the short address "3" program CV29=6 using POM.
If 1988 is the cab number of your loco, it is normally programmed adequately into CV17 and CV18 and you only have to program CV29=38 using POM.
If you did reset the decoder to factory default it is possible CV17 and CV18 were corrupted. Then program the following : CV17=199, CV18=196 and CV29=38 always using POM.
Hope this help.
I tried these CV's, but still nothing. Then I tried changing the CV's of the acceleration rate / deceleration rate, and that fixed it - now the loco moves.
Thank you all for your help. I've now learned how to change CV settings, and finally understand "Programming on the Main"!
Now I just need to get these goofy couplers off of this thing, and it will be good to go . . . . =P
I know this is old but I am at a friends place and am having similar problems with an ATHG SD70 ACe. The loco runs fine but we have no sound or lighting. I have tried all that has been suggested with no luck. Yes we are using a NCE Power cab. any help would be appreciated
Barry Skinner
I had a similar problem to Drew. MTH HO F7 had been working fine but then decided to stop. I tried the NCE reset which at least gave me movement. I tried the MTH reset method but nothng happened. Out of desperation, I tried the Tsunami reset of CV30=2 and CV8=8. The F7 gave the two horn blasts MTH says should happen after their reset. F7 roared back into life and has been going great since.