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NCE Powercab Help....... Please!

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  • Member since
    November 2015
  • 2 posts
NCE Powercab Help....... Please!
Posted by Chicago Line Railfan on Sunday, November 12, 2017 8:44 AM

Hi everyone,

I recently bought an NCE Powercab and tried to wire it up to a circut breaker type thing that you put power wires into it and you can run out more. So when that failed I tried my oringinal setup with the two wires from the power pannel directly to the track. Now I can't get power to the track. Anyone have any ideas? Is it possible I shorted out the system? My controller still is functional though.

Thanks

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, November 13, 2017 2:33 PM

If the display is lit, you will have power out the little grey connector. Are you using the six wire cable and the proper connector for the Cab on the panel?

The manual is very clear on connecting.

I have the Power Cab.

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.

  • Member since
    November 2015
  • 2 posts
Posted by Chicago Line Railfan on Monday, November 13, 2017 4:38 PM

Yes I am. I fixed it. Thanks for your help though.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, November 13, 2017 5:00 PM

Chicago Line Railfan
a circut breaker type thing

Welcome to the forum.

Don't give us mysteries when you ask for help.  There are several circuit breakers designed for model railroads.  How they are set may make a difference.  Be that as it may, the Power Cab is designed to protect itself from shorts.

The power panel should have a red light on and since you say the controller is still functional; we assume it is lit.  The proper cable (it comes with 2 different ones) should be in the left socket, with the light on topEDIT light on bottom

Assuming all that is true and you aren't using a booster, you haven't mentioned:

Reset the controller, To access the cab set up mode:
1) Turn on the system power.
2) Unplug your cab from the Power Panel.
3) Press and hold down the SELECT LOCO button while plugging in the cab. The cab will now enter its internal setup program.

Program the address to zero the cab will reprogram itself to the
original factory values, including the cab address, which will be set to 2.

That last part happens really quickly after you press 0 and enter.

One more thing occurs to me.  You said you have no track power.  Did you measure track power or test it in someway, OR does your engine not respond to the controller? 

Anytime the question of power, or inadequate power comes up, people are reluctant to have the proper tools.  You don't have to spend $50 for a special DCC voltmeter.  A simple $6 Harbor Freight voltmeter will get you close enough for guvmint work.

 
 
 
 
 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, November 13, 2017 5:11 PM

My multimeter shows about 13.6 VAC at the output with no loco on the track.

Many years ago I used an auto interior 12 volt light bulb.

With the dislplay lit and the little LED on, voltage will be at the output terminal.

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.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, November 13, 2017 5:50 PM

CLR your posts are moderated for the first 10.  It protects us from Borat selling us his sister.  Be patient they will appear tomorrow.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 13, 2017 7:18 PM

The Power Cab has an internal circuit breaker that has a lower setpoint than many circuit breakers (the only on I know of that can be set lower than the Power Cab is the PSX series of circuit breakers).

Also ensure you are pluging your power cab into the left hand port as viewed with LED on bottom.  As others have said, use the flat cable, the coiled cable is for using your Power Cab as a Pro Cab.  If performed correctly the LED on the PCP will light indicating power available to the track.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 6:56 AM

BMMECNYC
viewed with LED on bottom

Oh man you mean I an up/down dyslexic as well as left/right?  Apologies to the OP, I've edited my post. 

This is a DCC loco and not a DCC ready loco?

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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