TSTAGE,
THanks for the reminder!
I do have thge box it came in and PCP panel and the small power connector were still brand new in the box.
It has been stored awayon a backshelf in my workshop,out of sight, out of mind.
However the PCP panel is defective even though it has never been used.
I have power to te Power Cab hand held, but no power to the test track.
I used my VOM to troubleshoot the problem.
The Power supply that came with the Power cab is working, and i have power to the plug that goes into tjhe backside of the PCP panel, but no power out of the PCP panel to the test track..
I have some spare UTP panels but none of them have a power in plug like the PCP panel..
Since it's past 5pm EST here, I'll have to call NCE and order a new one, and possibly send this one back.
What a bummer! Brand new out of the box and the PCP panel is defective!
When I tried first programming a loco, I got a read back of can't read the CV.
Tried several Bachmann locos, same for all of them. So I used my VOM and found I had no power to the test track.
I'llcheck NCE website and see if I can order a new one.
I have had this Poweer Cab for a long time so I don't know if NCE would honor any kind of warranty.
For now I'll park my Bachmann locos on a shopshelf and only use my BLI locos.
My Bachman Berkshire "765" doe s work but only on the factory set code of"3".
IT also may need some weight on the pilot trucks because they constantly derail.
The only loco I have that does this .
Your Power Cab should have come with it's own power supply and PCP panel. Do you still have them? That's all you really need to program on a separate programming track.
Your SB5 overrides the booster & command station of the Power Cab when the Power Cab is plugged into it. What power supply are you using to power your SB5?
I would NOT hook up the MRC booster in connection with your SB5 or your Power Cab. You don't need it and you'll likely toast either or both of them. Use the Power Cab and the SB5 as they were intended with their own separate power supplies.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I can't find the Bachmann power supply.
So how can I power up the Powercab using my test track, not using the SB5?
One more question. I do have an unused MRC 8 amp power booster.
Could I use it along with the SB on my test track?
The SB manual says that the SB5 has no programming track outlet, but can use "Program on the main".
Hook the MRC booster into my test track using the SB5 as the power supply?
Thank you.
I have two Power Cabs. One is dedicated to the workbench where there is a test/ program track. It has not seen a decoder that couldn't be programmed. The other stays with the tiny modular layout. I try not to program on the modules.
Hope it works out.
Pete.
wrench567 Can you use just the Power Cab without the SB? Maybe a temporary programming track?
Can you use just the Power Cab without the SB? Maybe a temporary programming track?
I have a Bachmann DCC power supply somewhere. Perhaps hook it up to my test track and give that a try??????
I used it to run a small layout around my Christmas tree some while back.
There seems to be a problem with comunication between NCE SB5 and Bachmann locos, seen that mentioned before and specificaly the SB5 has been mentioned.
Version 1.65 for my NCE Power Cab
I used your informaation, but it doies nothing.
I can hear the steam sound at idle, but it will not program.
It ran fine when I first got it, but I set it aside for about 8 weeks and now it does nothing but idle.
I have the same problem with a Bachmann diesel loco. Ran fine, but it also set fr 8 weeks, and now it's as dead as a door nail
I also bought a brand new Bachman Berkshire "765" loco with sound value onboard that will run, but will not program to any other address but"3".
.
I had an NCE CS02 which failed.
So I bought the NCE SB5 for power.
All of my BLI steamers run fine with it, I have 8 of them.
But I am having problems with all of my Bachmann locos on DCC.
I tried resetting one of my BLIs back to 3 which it did just fine, then back to its regular cab number which went just fine.
. I am trying to join the Bachmann forum to get some answers .It's been several hours but no confirmation email yet.
Make sure both sets of wires between the loco and tender are plugged in all the way. Joe
I would also try a reset. I recently bought a Bachmann with sound and was a tad disappointed about the fact that no manual was provided for the decoder. If it's a Soundtraxx, you might want to look at this manual:
https://soundtraxx.com/content/Reference/Manuals/Econami/Econami-Steam-Tech-Reference.pdf
According to that manual, reset is CV8=8
Simon
K4,
What version of the Power Cab do you have? It will tell you at start up. If you have anything less than V1.65 then you want to upgrade. I don't think your issue has anything to do with that though.
And what CV and value are you using for your reset? It should be either CV8=8 or CV30=2. You should also make sure you power cycle (turn your Power Cab off then on) to properly complete the reset. It does make a difference sometimes.
In the case of the Power Pro, the eprom chip inside the case has the eprom manufacture date on it (not necessarily the same as the update date). I just ungraded mine a few months ago, to the latest version. The NCE website says: "The most recent version is 3/1/2007c (released on 10/18/2011) for the PH-Pro / Power Pro / Powerhouse / CS02 5 amp system boxes." (link: https://www.ncedcc.com/online-store/EPROM-5-amp-PH-Pro-PH10-CS02-System-Firmware-Upgrade-Chip-3-1-2007c-p39551934). My new eprom has 2021 printed on its label.
If your system is older than 2011, you may need the upgrade.
My system ran fine on the old eprom, so I didn't upgrade for years. From what I understand, the upgrade simply addresses an issue with functionality of their Cab06 throttle. It didn't work right if you have the older eprom. Since I didn't have a Cab06, I didn't need the upgrade. I'm thinking of buying one, so I did the upgrade first.
Power Cab firmware upgrade information is here: https://www.ncedcc.com/online-store/Power-Cab-Firmware-Upgrade-Chip-1-65B-p39551974
Try resetting the decoder to factory settings (on the programming track!). That may solve your problem with the loco.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
I have a Bachmann 4-6-0 steamer with sound on board that no longert responds to any inputs for my NCEPower Cab or Power Pro units.
I tried reprogramming it, but with no luck. When power is on to the track, I can hear the sound system coming on but loc o won't repond to program code 3. I read elsewhere that NCE has upgraded the eprom chips but I had no knowledge of this before.
Should i contact NCE about the chip upgrade?
Where is there a date on the Power Pro or Power Cab units?
I have other DCC locos, both Bachmann and BLI that all work fine.
I used the Bachman 4-6-0 for a short time then sit aside for perhaps 2 years and it will no longer respond.
I have a Power Pax booster, but can no longer find the power supply to it.
I have emailed the Power Pax people but have never heard back from them.
Any suggestions?
THanks
TheK4Kid