NCE was a bad buy.

[modelmaker51]

I bought my NCE Procab about 2 months ago and I am very impressed with the system and the support.

When I first got started, I spent about 2 hours on the phone over 3 calls with their tech having things explained to me. He seemed genuinely happy to help a dummie like me get the system up and running. I called on a wednesday and a friday and was talking to human being by the third ring.

As far as digitrax goes, it's ok, but I find it a bit clunky to operate and NCE's expandabillity is superior.

I think a lot of people forget this technology is not like a simple DC powerpack. It's a lot more like setting up a new computer system, (which is of course exactly what it is), there almost always some glitches when you first set one up, but they do get worked out. And DCC technology is only in its adolesence so far.

As far as outrageous prices go, have you seen what they're charging for palm devices and laptops these days? I spent $500 on my computer originally, but now after upgrades and additional storage devices, I'm well over $2000. The same goes for DCC, the cost all depends on what "bells and whistles" you get (pun intended).

 

[Anonymous]

Blasting the manufacturer of a DCC system because you can't instantly run consists, etc is a cheap shot in my opinion and could unduly influence people who have yet to decide on a DCC system to purchase. At the very least, you should alter your thread title to a more appropriate reflection of the issue you are experiencing.

Don Z.

The technical issues being discussed here are not the reason for my upset with NCE.  The discussion is happening because people here are doing what NCE should have been doing.

Maybe if you read the first post, you would know I'm blasting NCE because of the lack of customer support.  This support is suppose to be one of their big reason to buy their system.  Bigiron nailed the issue in a nutshell.  And whether it is a big company or small, sexist, racist or any other such comment is NEVER appropriate.

[bigiron]

Tom,

Let me rephrase that.... "I'll go with Digitrax..... the competitor." I should have known better than to add the part about the "better product."  Someday I'll learn to think before I type.

(3:16)

[tstage]

Actually Ill go Digitrax. Much better product.

Bigiron,

Which DCC system you choose is your prerogative.  And determining which one is the best fit for both you and your needs is wise shopping and how you ought to approach any purchase.  But to say that Digitrax is a far superior product?  Sorry, no.  In my opinion, that statement is just totally off base...

Tom

[james saunders]

Oh man that's too bad, I was actually considering NCE if I converted to DCC.
I hope you can get it all sorted out  soon!

[bigiron]

In my opinion if a company ( Digitrax, NCE....etc) is willing to make a highly technical product and release that product for sale to the general public and charge the exuberant prices they charge, the company should provide technical service on a daily basis seven days a week. I'm not saying 24/7, but maybe 8-5/7. Sure, they may be a mom and pop outfit, but they have a responsiblity to the customer. If it wasn't for the customer making the purchase they would out of business. Sure, it's nice they all went to a picnic and they get off early when it's slow....etc....but again they have a so called written policy to furnish technical support for my $300-$700 purchase. Some folks here are sympathetic but this is a business and I'm a paying customer. Actually Ill go Digitrax. Much better product.

[rrinker]

Ok, now for some updates. I didn't get much of a chance to work on all your suggestions do to some other family issues.  But here it what happened today.

Problem 1:  Now forward is forward and reverse is reverse.  No idea why the change.  I think it has something to do with consists but I don't know yet.  There are no arrows on the display.  You get FWD and REV.  I get the feeling this is not like a DC controller where direction is based on the wiring and engine position.

 Exactly - repalce the arrows in my description with the FWD and REV text. It's the decoder that handles the actual direction control. If you've connected a decoder backwards usign the 8-pin plug, it will run opposite the directionr eadings. Some locos run the wrong way because the manufacturer builds them to run a certain way but road name X ran them the other way. If the decoder is plugged in backwards just flip the plug, if not you will have to read up on CV29.

Problem 2: Still confused

 23 and 023 are NOT the same address in NCE. 023 is a long address (also known as a 4 digit address - because it's 4 hexidecimal digits long, obviously not 4 decimal digits). Again, which address is used is controlled by the value in CV29. You do not need to know how to program CV29 to set this up though, the NCE controlelr will walk you through this. If you put in 023, when it prompts for the address type you have to select long. If you put in 23, you need to select short address while going through the program steps. If you cross this up, you will not be able to address the loco on the address you think it is.

Problem 3: I am really going to have to play with consists on the system.  I don't know if you can use the engines separately once they have been assigned to a consist.  Right now I don't have the time to mess with this so consist are off limits until we can spend an afternoon playing around with them.

 Good idea. Once you get the hang of settign up and running individual locos, then try consisting.  In general, once part of a consist, you can't run the loco by itself until you break up the consist. There are exceptions.

Problem 4:  Still getting loco numbers that I've never entered.

 Have no idea on that one - I thought Tom (tstage) had this problem with his PowerCab as well

Problem 5:  Somehow doing an universal reset maybe in order before I start adding new locos.

 Always a good idea when things start acting screwy. Also, with a new decoder, see if it has an option for a factory reset. If so - do this, even if it is a brand new decoder that was sealed in the package. It can't hurt and sometimes, rarely, a brand new decoder has some odd settings in CVs you don't ordinarily mess around with, remnents of factory testing I'd guess for the most part. Reseting the decoder before starting any programming avoids wierd issues like this.

Problem 6:  I need time to play with this more.  I'm getting partial shutdowns but still can't get the engines to "tuen off"

 With QSI equipped locos like BLI, all bets are off. They have their own set of quirks whicha re not the fault of the DCC system you have. Programmign addresses int hem can be problematic, there is a section in the QSI manual that shows how to program using their indexed CVs if 'normal' programming like other decoders does not work. Some systems handle them with no problems - I've had no issues programming QSI with my Digitrax Zephyr, and peopel with the Super EMpire Builder report no problems, but the Super Chief (the top of  the line Digitrax system) users have limited success. Go figure.
 When QSI says 'double click' a function, it means hit the button FOUR times. On-Off, On-Off. I don't think the interval between 'clicks' is configurable like the double click speed of a mouse in Windows. It's kind of hit or miss, I haven't been able to reliably get the multiple-click functions to work either.

As for the CV stuff, didn't have time today.  Will try next week.  On the road again tomorrow.

Thanks for all your help and input.

[Don Z]

I would suggest that until you master the art of programming and running a single locomotive proficiently, you should refrain from trying to do advanced features such as multiple loco consists. If you are finding the manual difficult to understand, take the advice of those here that are knowledgeable and call Tony's to ask them for their help in resolving your issues.

Prior to this past Thursday, I had absolutely no exposure to DCC other than what I've read here on this forum. I went to a friend's house and used his NCE system to program the long address into my new Tower 55 locomotives I just purchased. I glanced at the manual regarding programming on the program track, followed the screens and was able to program both locomotives with their respective road numbers. I was then able to program the two of them into a consist with no trouble. If I can do this, anybody should be able to do so.

I would strongly recommend that you program on the programming track and not the mainline. Some locomotives are just a little fussy about programming on the main.

Blasting the manufacturer of a DCC system because you can't instantly run consists, etc is a cheap shot in my opinion and could unduly influence people who have yet to decide on a DCC system to purchase. At the very least, you should alter your thread title to a more appropriate reflection of the issue you are experiencing.

Off

Don Z.

[Anonymous]

It sounds to me like you need to spend some time with the manual that came with your system.  Take one thing at a time, though:  trying to figure out all this stuff can get very involved and confusing.  The manual that came with my PowerHousePro system is very complete, well-explained, and usable, so I'd guess the one you have is similar.

Read the manual.....Well I have tried but it's written in a version of English they did not teach me in school.  It starts out understandable then just words with no real meaning to each other.

[Anonymous]

Problem 1:  Now forward is forward and reverse is reverse.  No idea why the change.  I think it has something to do with consists but I don't know yet.  There are no arrows on the display.  You get FWD and REV.  I get the feeling this is not like a DC controller where direction is based on the wiring and engine position.

That is exactly right.  The command station sends either "fwd" or "rev" instructions to the decoder. It is the decoder in each engine that determines which way to turn the motor. 

Problem 3: I am really going to have to play with consists on the system.  I don't know if you can use the engines separately once they have been assigned to a consist.  Right now I don't have the time to mess with this so consist are off limits until we can spend an afternoon playing around with them.

Also correct.  Well, mostly.  When an engine is in a consist, it only responds to speed and direction commands sent to the consist address, ignoring any sent to the individual engine address.

But it may respond to other types of commands, such as lights and sounds, sent to the individual engine address (depending on some other settings in CVs 21 and 22 that you'll get to eventually).

The combination of these facts is how you can have a consist of, say, two diesels, one facing forward and one facing backward, and tell the consist to go forward or backwards.


It sounds to me like you need to spend some time with the manual that came with your system.  Take one thing at a time, though:  trying to figure out all this stuff can get very involved and confusing.  The manual that came with my PowerHousePro system is very complete, well-explained, and usable, so I'd guess the one you have is similar.

But DCC gets complex, so take it in small pieces, and you'll be fine.

And, when you get stuck (and you will), call NCE or Tony's or search this forum or the NCE forum on Yahoo, etc., and/or post a question.  As  you've seen, lots of folks will respond and help you figure out what's going on.    That's because ALL of us have been through the "learning curve", too!

[spidge]

 Problem # 1

Yes, in DCC forward is programed when you do the initial setup on the decoder.

 Problem 2: Still confused

On my layout I generally cancel a consist if not in use. This takes away the problem of the system grabing both units when you call one of the locos to use independantly.

Problem # 3,

Its better to not even try.Just cancell the consist comlettely before using the units indipendently.

problem # 4.

I have this problem to. I just dial the loco I want and its behind me the rest of the time, but yes it is a bit anoying.

Problrm #5,

Eliminate all possibilities then you can go forward and not thinl about what you may have done wrong weeks or days ago.

Problem #6,

Sorry, I don't have any sound yet.Maybe Christmas.

There are so many CV possibilities it could drive you nuts. The best case senario is to have computor programing but powercab does not have the capability yet. You may go a bit nuts breaking them all down but key in on those that are important to you and it will reduce the meny changes everytime there is a problem.

 

P>S> Its good to see you are hanging in there.

[Anonymous]

Ok, now for some updates. I didn't get much of a chance to work on all your suggestions do to some other family issues.  But here it what happened today.

Problem 1:  Now forward is forward and reverse is reverse.  No idea why the change.  I think it has something to do with consists but I don't know yet.  There are no arrows on the display.  You get FWD and REV.  I get the feeling this is not like a DC controller where direction is based on the wiring and engine position.

Problem 2: Still confused

Problem 3: I am really going to have to play with consists on the system.  I don't know if you can use the engines separately once they have been assigned to a consist.  Right now I don't have the time to mess with this so consist are off limits until we can spend an afternoon playing around with them.

Problem 4:  Still getting loco numbers that I've never entered.

Problem 5:  Somehow doing an universal reset maybe in order before I start adding new locos.

Problem 6:  I need time to play with this more.  I'm getting partial shutdowns but still can't get the engines to "tuen off"

As for the CV stuff, didn't have time today.  Will try next week.  On the road again tomorrow.

Thanks for all your help and input.

[Anonymous]

On point # 2, even though you have to enter the short address you don't have to activate it. Then you can go forward and program the long address, and  activate it without concern for confusing the consist numbering.

Thanks. That is what I have done.  So hopefully this controller will not get goofed up when I used the same short for the consist. 

obtw,  how do you enter a short address like "23"?  Leading zeros or some other character?  When I enter 23 or 023, it tells me that it is invalid.

[Anonymous]

Sorry you're having trouble. As with some others who've posted here, I've had have the older PowerHouse Pro system for several years, with no trouble at all. As it was my first DCC system, I can't say whether I find it easier than others.

I did call NCE once, and was quite pleased with their response.

Please don't let this sour your opinion of DCC in general or NCE in particular. But I do agree with the post that you should let their management know about it.

I suspect anybody's first system, whatever it is, takes some getting used to. There's a fair-size "learning curve" just starting into DCC. The NCE now feels quite comfy to me, and I suspect it will to you soon, also.

And to those claiming you picked the "wrong" system, that's just their personal opinion -- you'll find at least as many who think it's the "right" system. In reality, most are quite good, and quite reliable. Some like the features of one but hate the way another operates.

One other point -- who did you buy the system from? If one of the major DCC dealers, call them. I know for a fact that Tony's provides super support for anything they sell (that's where I've bought a lot of stuff), and hear similar good things about Litchfield Station and some of the others. As with NCE, they're not major organizations, so sometimes you have to hold or let them call you back, but they absolutely will.

And in some situations, they may be actually be better able to help, especially if it's not clear whether the problem is in the NCE system or the decoder, since

Hang in there!

[spidge]

On point # 2, even though you have to enter the short address you don't have to activate it. Then you can go forward and program the long address, and  activate it without concern for confusing the consist numbering.

[rrinker]

 The direction arrows are not meant to indicate which physical direction your trains move on your layout. The one pointing to the front of the loco icon means forward, the one pointing to the rear, reverse. Regardless of the way the loco is facing. FOr a steam loco or a cab unit this is pretty obvious, for a road switcher type this can vary depending onthe practices of the particular railroad you are modeling. For example I'll use a steam loco (and NOT an SP Cab Forward!). If your layout is a loop and you are standing in front of the whole thing, and point the smokestack to the right, going FORWARD will runt he loco counter-clockwise. And coincidently the arrow will point in the actual direction of movement - until the loco gets on the back half of the loop.  If youput the loco on the track with the stack facing left, in FORWARD it will circulate the loop clockwise. The arrow will point to the front of the loco icon but not match the physical direction of travel, until the loco gets on the back half of the loop. Don't be concerned about the arorw matching the movment - if it points int he forward directiona dn the loco is moving forward, it's going the right way. Forward is forward is forward - just like for the RC plane guys, right is right is right - even if when flying towards you, giving right rudder makes the plane physically turn left - from the plane's point of view, it's still turning right.

                                                              --Randy

[selector]

[.

Oddly I set my CV29 to 39 .  My layout is ultimately a loop so depending upon whether the locomotive is in front or the back of the layout left to right being forward has a differnet meaning.  So I settled on clockwise being forward.  So that means in the front of the layout forward is right to left but in the back it is left to right.  To resolve this I had to set my direction bit to 1 or CV29 - 039.

  

Hi.  I was just doing what the Digitrax manual says to do. With their instructions, the result is my steamers going forward with a right-pointing arrow blinking on my throttle, and vice-versa. 

[jbinkley60]

Gumby, you should do a hard reset with the wand or remove the tender cover and pull the thingamajig...can't recall the correct name...jumper they call it.  That is first, and sets you off afresh.

To program in your long address, if that is what you really want to do, you must place the loco on a programming track circuit...probably.  Go into Paged mode, and get ahold of your address using the method described in your system's manual for dialing long addresses.  When you exit from programming, you should do an extra step.  I have found that this covers any glitches.  In Ops Mode, select CV29, and dial in and enter a value of 38.  Exit.  Then, dial in the new address, and acquire the loco.  It should do as you ask.

Your problem with ghost addresses is something that I have no experience with...must be an artifact with your system, but it may have something to do with your stack length (numbers of recallable locos in memory), and the fact that you have been pushing buttons like a madman for a few days now.  Maybe both the system and the loco are like deer caught in the headlights...which way to do what? If you have a stack, you should have instructions about clearing that from memory.  Another fresh start.

When shutting down the loco using F9, I have found it useful to pause for about 10 seconds in between each double press of the button.  Even then, most often I find, on the third set of double presses, the loco will hiss for a minute or more until it finally goes silent.  Been there, done that.

I hope that helps, and I sure hope that something works for you.

Oddly I set my CV29 to 39 .  My layout is ultimately a loop so depending upon whether the locomotive is in front or the back of the layout left to right being forward has a differnet meaning.  So I settled on clockwise being forward.  So that means in the front of the layout forward is right to left but in the back it is left to right.  To resolve this I had to set my direction bit to 1 or CV29 - 039.

  

[Tom Bryant_MR]

Gumby,

I have a BLI Mike w/sound and am using NCE Power Pro.  I can help you with the long address problem.

In my NCE Power Pro manual on page 41 is the Programming on the Main instructions.  I do not know what page this is in for the Power Cab but I am sure there is a section.

On page 42 at the top it states that for locos with sound decoders you must turn off the verbal programming acknowledgement feature of the sound chip in order to program the long address. For QSI chips, set CV62 to 0.  You can do this on the main by selecting 2=CV when in OPS mode programming (Programming on the Main).  Then use the Programming on the Main 1=ADR option to set the long address. This allows you to set the long or short address individually.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

 

[tstage]

Well let me first say that I'm not giving up on DCC.  I definitely can see the advantage over DC.  But, I'm not the MMR'er, my kids are.  Therefore, going back to DC would be a temporary thing until I can get DCC up and running.

Next, I will try the user groups but that may take some time since summer is my busy time at work.  Which is the reason I'm calling on Friday afternoon.

As for the Mom and Pop thing, I do understand.  Most of my music gear is made by such shops.  And they to go to conventions and such.  But, they always let me (and all their customers) know when they will be back. 


Now for the wierd stuff: 

1) I have a BLI engine that for some strange reason goes forward when reverse is selected and reverse when forward is selected. 

2) According to the manual, it is suggested that long addresses are used instead of short addresses.  This is so short addresses can be used for consists.   Well......I can't enter a long address unless I code a short address.  And I can only enter three digit short addresses. 0-99 no matter how I enter them will get accepted.

3) As for consists, I have the same short address problem and I can only call up the consist with the long address.  This of course seems to confuse the system when selecting a loco over the consist.

4) The system seems to invent loco addresses.  When I turn on the system, sometimes the loco addresses last used are ready to run and other times I have addresses I never entered.

5) I have thought about trying to start over.  In otherwords trying to clear out all the stuff I've programmed.  I think it says how to do it in the manual but either I forgot how to read English or it's not written very clearly.

6) For all my BLI engines, I can not get the engine to shutdown.  I can double press F9 but nothing happens.

Advance thanks for any and all help.

Gumby,

I'll try and address a few of the points that you have brought up:

1.  It could be that the decoder was either installed or wired backwards from the factory.  Did you press either HEADLIGHT or "0" to see if the headlight goes on and off.  You should see an "L" just to the left of the 1-6 decoder function indicator. on the lower right portion of the LCD screen.

2. Are you programming your decoder on an isolated and/or dedicated programming track or using programming on the main? (See p. 10 of manual)

4. I've had this exact SAME thing happen on my Power Cab from time to time.  So, in a way, I'm kinda glad to hear that it's not just a phenomenon on my unit.  For me, it seems to occur primarily after the system shuts down and reboots from a short.  It might do it a couple of times after that at start up then I won't see it for a while.  It is weird.  I'm guessing it's a bug in the software.

5. For a factory reset of the BLI Quantum decoder, you'll need to do the following:

• Set CV 49 to 128
• Set CV 50 to 255
• Set CV 56 to 113

I would suggest doing that on the programming track, too.

6. I've found that in order to successfully shut down an engine, you have to double-press the F9 button (or "9") quickly to get it to Stage One: Disconnect, then wait a few seconds before continuing on to Standby.  (Same for going from Standby to Total Shut Down.)  After each double-press of F9, you should hear a slightly audible "chuuuuuh" to indicate that you moved into each successive shutdown stage.  As I said, you need to wait a few seconds before double-pressing the F9 button.

Gumby, my suspicion is that the problems you are experiencing may lie in some kind of conflict between the Quantum decoders and the Power Cab software.  I still have a couple of quirky issues that I'm trying to figure out with my upgraded BLI 2-8-2 Mike chip.  Tony from Tony's Train Xchange asked me to call him personally so that we could go through them on the phone.  I have a Trix 2-8-2 Mike with LokSound that I have had absolutely NO issues with with my Power Cab.  Anyway, that's about all I can add for now.

One last thing.  Since you have a BLI locomotive, I think it would behoove you to download the following resource from the QSI website:

NMRA DCC Reference Manual
for
QSI Quantum HO Equipped Locomotives
Version 3.0
16 February 2005

It's pretty hefty at 184 pages but it's definitely worth having in your library.  (They may be up to 4.0 by now.)

Hang in there my friend with your Power Cab and let's see this through.   The NCE-DCC Yahoo group is a real help, too.

Tom

[jfugate]

First of all you got the hardest DCC system to operate.  I know a couple of guys that bought it and they are having a heck of a time getting it up and running.

If you wanted to go with a "GOOD" DCC system you should probably think about Digitrax!! I plugged mine in and I was off and running in 2 MINUTES!! No problems and nothing to worry about. I have had this system for three years and nothing Has gone wrong with it or broke. Truely!! You need to think about Digitrax. So don't give up!!

 James

Sorry, James, but I've got to totally disagree with you on your first statement.  I've found the Power Cab very intuitive to use and operate. 
Tom

I have to agree with Tom on this one. I have owned or now own Lenz, EasyDCC, and NCE, plus I've used Digitrax on several home layouts, and I've downloaded and read through the manuals on all these systems. I've also written up examples of programming consists on all the above systems and the user interface on the NCE system is generally the most user friendly of all the DCC systems.

The NCE wireless system, however, has been a real pain to get working reliably -- perhaps that is what you are referring to. Recently NCE released version 2 of their wireless hardware and things are much better now.

But we're talking the basic starter system -- a direct comparison would be an NCE Powercab vs Digitrax Zephyr -- neither of which is wireless.

[tstage]

First of all you got the hardest DCC system to operate.  I know a couple of guys that bought it and they are having a heck of a time getting it up and running.

If you wanted to go with a "GOOD" DCC system you should probably think about Digitrax!! I plugged mine in and I was off and running in 2 MINUTES!! No problems and nothing to worry about. I have had this system for three years and nothing Has gone wrong with it or broke. Truely!! You need to think about Digitrax. So don't give up!!

 James

Sorry, James, but I've got to totally disagree with you on your first statement.  I've found the Power Cab very intuitive to use and operate.  I'm not saying that its perfect or there aren't a few initial bugs that need to be worked out after it's release.  However, what specific kind of problems are these couple of guys you mentioned having?  I guess I'm looking for you to elaborate a bit on the "heck of a time getting it up and running" phrase.  Thanks.

Tom

[selector]

Gumby, you should do a hard reset with the wand or remove the tender cover and pull the thingamajig...can't recall the correct name...jumper they call it.  That is first, and sets you off afresh.

To program in your long address, if that is what you really want to do, you must place the loco on a programming track circuit...probably.  Go into Paged mode, and get ahold of your address using the method described in your system's manual for dialing long addresses.  When you exit from programming, you should do an extra step.  I have found that this covers any glitches.  In Ops Mode, select CV29, and dial in and enter a value of 38.  Exit.  Then, dial in the new address, and acquire the loco.  It should do as you ask.

Your problem with ghost addresses is something that I have no experience with...must be an artifact with your system, but it may have something to do with your stack length (numbers of recallable locos in memory), and the fact that you have been pushing buttons like a madman for a few days now.  Maybe both the system and the loco are like deer caught in the headlights...which way to do what? If you have a stack, you should have instructions about clearing that from memory.  Another fresh start.

When shutting down the loco using F9, I have found it useful to pause for about 10 seconds in between each double press of the button.  Even then, most often I find, on the third set of double presses, the loco will hiss for a minute or more until it finally goes silent.  Been there, done that.

I hope that helps, and I sure hope that something works for you.

[CMSTPP]

[rant]

So after looking at all the available information on DCC.  After reading all I could on DCC here on this forum.  I decide to get the NCE powercab.

Now I understand I'm not getting the top of the line DCC system but there were two things that really meet my needs.  Well I thought.  One - an easy to use interface.  Two - Customer support.  Of course, expandabilitiy, good reputation and other came into the mix.

So about two weeks ago I purchase the NCE power cab from my LHS.  And just about as advertise, I get the system up and running without any major difficulties.  But I do have some wierd things happening so I decide to call NCE.  Well, there nobody home because NCE is having an employee luncheon.  Well OK.  I'll call next week. (Yes, next week because I travel to make the money to pay for all of this)

Yesterday, I call again.  I got a voice on the other end.  After the uncalled for sexist remark, I was wanting for the answering machine.  I'm informed that all the technicians are off for the week and the only person who could help was at lunch.  It was 2:15pm EDT!!!  Call back at 3:30 still at lunch.  Call back at 3:45, line busy.  Call back at 3:50, office closed for the weekend.

Great customer support.  NOT!!

Sorry but I don't want excuses.  If a business can't remain open during it posted business hours and provide customer service during those hours, it fails to be a business worthy of any positive comment.

I'm so sorry I purchased the powercab.  Yes, it works but the problems make it difficult for my kids to operate the system.  If it was working as the manual says then all would be well.  As it is, I may be returning to DC operation.

So any one out there considering DCC.  Take heed.

[/rant]

 

First of all you got the hardest DCC system to operate.  I know a couple of guys that bought it and they are having a heck of a time getting it up and running.

If you wanted to go with a "GOOD" DCC system you should probably think about Digitrax!! I plugged mine in and I was off and running in 2 MINUTES!! No problems and nothing to worry about. I have had this system for three years and nothing Has gone wrong with it or broke. Truely!! You need to think about Digitrax. So don't give up!!

 

James

 

[Anonymous]

Well let me first say that I'm not giving up on DCC.  I definitely can see the advantage over DC.  But, I'm not the MMR'er, my kids are.  Therefore, going back to DC would be a temporary thing until I can get DCC up and running.

Next, I will try the user groups but that may take some time since summer is my busy time at work.  Which is the reason I'm calling on Friday afternoon.

As for the Mom and Pop thing, I do understand.  Most of my music gear is made by such shops.  And they to go to conventions and such.  But, they always let me (and all their customers) know when they will be back. 


Now for the wierd stuff: 

1) I have a BLI engine that for some strange reason goes forward when reverse is selected and reverse when forward is selected. 

2) According to the manual, it is suggested that long addresses are used instead of short addresses.  This is so short addresses can be used for consists.   Well......I can't enter a long address unless I code a short address.  And I can only enter three digit short addresses. 0-99 no matter how I enter them will get accepted.

3) As for consists, I have the same short address problem and I can only call up the consist with the long address.  This of course seems to confuse the system when selecting a loco over the consist.

4) The system seems to invent loco addresses.  When I turn on the system, sometimes the loco addresses last used are ready to run and other times I have addresses I never entered.

5) I have thought about trying to start over.  In otherwords trying to clear out all the stuff I've programmed.  I think it says how to do it in the manual but either I forgot how to read English or it's not written very clearly.

6) For all my BLI engines, I can not get the engine to shutdown.  I can double press F9 but nothing happens.

Advance thanks for any and all help.

[Anonymous]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience.

I've only called NCE once about a problem. The problem was my fault (haste makes waste). I don't remember the gentleman's name at NCE, but he sent me out a replacement part, no charge, via priority mail, just to get me up and running. They earned a customer for life that day.

Greg

[jwmurrayjr]

Gumby,

I've heard nothing but good things about NCE.  Something is "amiss" (and it may be at NCE.)

Paste your post into an email and ask those yahoos what's going on.  This is bad press and I don't think NCE wants it.

They have very fine products (No, I don't use NCE...I got in when Atlas wa still a viable option and haven't switched to NCE yet.)

Give them another chance (like Jonah got) and let us know what happens.

I think you'll like  the NCE system when you get it going.

Have fun,

 

[kenkal]

Geez, Gumby.  I'm quite sorry to hear you had problems with NCE.  I have an NCE PowerPro system for the past year or so and while I haven't had any problems with it at all, I did have a ton of questions as a total newbie to both DCC and NCE.  Everytime except once, I was able to talk with someone either immediately or on the 2nd call.  The one time I couldn't talk with anyone is that recently they were all at a big train convention (don't remember which one).

I couldn't believe how courteous, knowledgeable and helpful the people were at NCE, especially Larry.  I wish my car dealer and every other so called "service "people did just half as well.

Obviously, you'll do what you want, but if it were me, I would give NCE another chance.  The system is really great, easy to use (5 year old neighbor picked up its use on a sound loco in about 1 minute of instruction!) and NCE has a great attitude on repairs. 

Give them a chance.  You won't be sorry.

 

 

[GearDrivenSteam]

Sorry Joe, but I gotta disagree here. Every SINGLE time I've called Digitrax, I've gotten a live person. Sometimes, I've had to wait for a return call from the technician, but I've ALWAYS gotten one, the SAME day. Now, I'm not saying which is the better system, just that I have no trouble at all getting through to Digitrax. Also Gumby, on a side note, I have a buddy in Canada that has a Digitrax Super Chief system. his four year old grandson routinely runs multiple units using it. That oughtta say something.

All the DCC manufacturers are mom and pop operations and they rely on people going to the support forums for most of their support. Until you've posted your problem on the NCE yahoo forum, you are getting hasty. None of the other DCC systems will give you any better support -- or any worse.

For example, my own system EasyDCC, I had a question recently and I sent them an email -- then I went online to the EasyDCC forum. I quickly got the response that the entire EasyDCC staff would be out until August 31st at the Narrow Guage convention -- so forget getting an answer until September!

So I just asked the forum and got an answer within a day.

Like everyone has said, these guys are not Microsoft, so it's best to be aware of what your support options are and not be so hasty.

[jamnest]

When I swiched to DCC about five years ago, I had two choices CVP Railcommand or Digitrax.  My choices were limited by me because those were the major DCC products in use by other model railroaders in the area, and I had an opportunity to try before you buy by operating these systems on other layouts.  I finally chose Digitrax because I did not like the proprietary nature of the railcommand system. (Easy DCC is NMRA compatiable and would have been considered if it had been readily available at the time.)  My Digitrax system has been a great buy and very reliable.  In thanks to the modlers who assisted me in my decision I now do the same.

The other nice thing about Digitrax is a lot of MRRs who come to operating sessions are already familiar with the system.  I started with a Chief and Empire builder set (I used the Empire Builder as a smart boostrer), but only had two throttles to begin with.  When I wanted to have an open house or operating session, friends would bring extra throttles.

JIM