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Need help NCE Power Cab AGAIN!!

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  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Columbia, IL
  • 394 posts
Posted by wdcrvr on Saturday, February 27, 2021 5:26 PM

So, should I disconnect the power from that turnout by cutting the rails at both ends?  Or is there a less drastic way to figure this out?

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, February 27, 2021 5:12 PM

wdcrvr

I disconnected the track from the panel.  When I turned on the power, the cab lights up like it should and the red light on the panel comes on.  So does this mean there is a short in the track somewhere?

The good news is that it sounds like you did not fry the Power Cab. It sure does sound like a short at the turnout. It is probably in the wiring, but it also could be the turnout.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Columbia, IL
  • 394 posts
Posted by wdcrvr on Saturday, February 27, 2021 5:07 PM

I disconnected the track from the panel.  When I turned on the power, the cab lights up like it should and the red light on the panel comes on.  So does this mean there is a short in the track somewhere?

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Saturday, February 27, 2021 4:56 PM

 Does it power up with the track disconnected? If not - sounds like you've now fried the PowerCab's internal booster.

 Would be good to test the output of the PowerCab's wall wart power pack, see if it has sufficient voltage, maybe that's what's failed. You weren't using the power supply from the SB5 with the PowerCab, were you? 

 That the loco shorted when hitting the turnout, you've got something wired wrong there. It's not a reverse loop, is it? What type of turnout is it?

                                            --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Columbia, IL
  • 394 posts
Need help NCE Power Cab AGAIN!!
Posted by wdcrvr on Saturday, February 27, 2021 4:26 PM

Previous post determined that SB5 unit had a short.  So I removed the SB5 and reconnected my Power Cab unit as I had prior to getting the SB5.  That was yesterday and everything was running fine.  So I decided to go back to working on the turnout that I was working on before.  I completed what I needed to do (setting it up with a push/pull control rod and a switch to power the frog as needed for either position.  I have over twenty of these set up on my layout with no problems).  As of yesterday evening I had finished the turnout and powered back up to find everything running just fine.  So today I decided to clean the layout end to end.  Completed that and decided to run a train.  Turned on system.  Power cab came on, red light came on at the panel.  Loco came on (sound).  Started running loco, ran about 3 feet stalled at a turnout and then everything went dead.  Now when I turn on the power the Power Cab lights up for a couple seconds and then goes blank for awhile and then lights up again in cycles.  Meanwhile I do not get any red light at the panel.  Check all connections and they look good.  Man, I really hate this crap.  I have been running this layout for more than 8 years and now I am so frustrated.  Help.

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