NCE Hints
Summary: A list of hints relating to the NCE and Wangrow System One DCC Systems
Throttles
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See the Video. |
Cab Address
This refers to the address of a device on the Cab Bus, not a locomotive's address. Up to 63 addresses are available on the Cab Bus, some of which are reserved.
Cab 02
This Cab Address is special. Cabs on other addresses can have their capabilities limited, such as preventing the ability to change CVs or use the Momentum key[1]. The Cab on address 2 is the master cab, and retains all its functionality.
This feature is often used for operating sessions, preventing operators from accidentally (or deliberately) making changes to the programming of a multifunction decoder. The host (or a trusted associate) will keep the cab assigned to address 2 for himself, while limiting the functions of throttles on other addresses to what is necessary.
Consists
Your locomotive worked fine yesterday but will not respond today:
This can occur if the locomotive was part of a consist, and the consist was cleared. If the lights, bell and other functions can be controlled, but nothing else, it is possible that the decoder didn't clear the consist information. Press Del Loco to delete the information again. Another method is to reset CV19 to zero using Ops Mode programming.
Headlight Issues
If the headlight turns on and off as the throttle is changed, the reason is a multifunction decoder with only 14 speed steps operating on a DCC system using 28 speed steps.
The speed command in the 14 step mode uses one bit to control the headlight. This bit changes with the throttle changes, and toggles the headlight on when the speed step is an even number.
Programming Related
- CV29: This has to be set correctly for Primary and Extended Addresses to work
- Ensure that the CVs which control Acceleration, Deceleration and their adjustments are set to reasonable values.
Will Not Respond on an Analog Layout
If Power Conversion Mode is set to NMRA DCC Only, the decoder will not respond to a DC Voltage.
Emergency Stop (E-Stop)
How the E-Stop function behaves is determined by the system in use.
- Power Cab
- E-Stop only affects the locomotive displayed on the Power Cab's LCD
- Disconnecting the Power Cab from the layout stops everything as power to the track is lost
- Power Pro
- Pressing the E-stop button three times on any cab will disconnect the track power.
Consisting
This is important if you take your motive power to run on another layout which uses NCE equipment when you do not use an NCE system on your own layout.
NCE uses a hybrid version of Advanced Consisting which they call Intelligent Consisting.
- Always break up any consist you created with an NCE command station before removing your locomotives from the layout. Failure to do so will render the units immobile when placed on a layout which does not use an NCE DCC system.
If you forget to do that and find you cannot get the locomotives to move, write a value of "0" (zero) to CV19.
For compatibility and to avoid conflicts, it is preferable to use Extended Addressing (4-digit) mode for multifunction decoders.
Power Pro
Clear All Consists
The "Clear All Advanced Consists" command available in the NCE Power Pro sends a Clear Consist Address command, which causes CV19 to be reset, this is done using the Broadcast Address. All decoders on the track must obey Broadcast Address commands.
Consist is not Cleared
Pressing the Clear button in the consist group should clear all the consist information stored in CV19. Some decoders may enter a sleep mode, and may miss the Clear Consist command.
In this case, use Consist Delete, enter the locomotive number, and press Enter. Make at least two attempts to ensure success.
PowerCab
The PowerCab supports consist addresses from 112 to 127. This is also true for the SB5 Smart Booster.
Operations
NCE Decoders and RailCom
- Main article: Railcom and NCE Decoders
Mini Panel
The Mini Panel is a specialised throttle class device. It can instruct the command station to create commands to one or more preprogrammed loco addresses.
It cannot send messages outside of the Locomotive, Signal or Accessory messages. To communicate with JMRI an AUI Panel is needed.
AUI Panel
The Auxiliary Input Unit provides connections for up to fourteen devices, such as the BD20 Block Detector, switch contacts, and other sensors. The AUI will supply notifications from the sensors to the command station via the Cab Bus. A computer can interface to the RS-232 port on the command station.
The AUI has 14 LEDs to indicate which sensor in operation.
The AUI must be connected to the Cab Bus, but daisy chaining is possible. It must also be assigned an address on the Cab Bus which is not in use already by another device. The factory default is 4, recommended addresses are in the upper end of the range, from 50 to 63.
Cab Reset
To reset any NCE throttle including the Power Cab: Press SELECT LOCO button when plugging the Cab in, then release the button. Reading or changing the cab address is now possible.
With the cursor blinking, select a new address, or enter 00 to reset the cab to its factory defaults. Press ENTER when finished.
- Power Cab Reset Warning
- If you have a Power Cab with a firmware version less than the current V1.65B, approach the reset with caution. Doing so may create a new problem whose only resolution is to upgrade the firmware. If you have not upgraded the firmware to the current version, it is advisable to do so. Read the section regarding Power Cab Addresses for more details.
If no changes are desired, just press ENTER to exit.
Reset Cab ID Number: Power Pro
- Press the PROG/ESC key five times, to go to Set CMD Station
- Press the ENTER key 33 times, scrolling through the menu options. The last option is Clear All Cab Memory
- Reboot the command station
- Each Cab must be plugged in, one at a time, to register its existing Cab ID, which is stored in the cab.
Cab Addresses
Every cab must have its own unique address. Consult your documentation to determine which addresses are permitted by your system and software.
Programming Issues
Blind Writes
Many systems, including NCE, perform a blind write when programming in OPS Mode. The throttle may indicate success, when the write was not successful.
Power Cab
If you do not have a dedicated programming track, the load presented to the Power Cab may be too great, which will result in a failure to program and CV read back will not work. It is also likely that every decoder on the rails will also be reprogrammed.
Solution: Create a dedicated programming track.
Note: A program track booster should not be used with an NCE Power Cab
Power Pro
A firmware issue in the Power Pro affects programming track operation. Attempting to write to a CV greater than 256 will possibly corrupt the multifunction decoder. The Power Pro software will write to a CV which is less than 257, which could have unpredictable results.
There is no way around this issue. An alternate strategy is to use a Power Cab system to perform programming.
A program track booster may be required with an NCE Power Pro. The Soundtraxx PTB-100 is the best choice. Other devices may have issues when used with the Power Pro.
JMRI
This problem will also occur using JMRI on the program track. The advantage to DecoderPro is that it understands the issue, and instead of corrupting the decoder's memory, will just return an error response.
ESU Decoders
This issue does not impact the programming of an ESU decoder, as they have an intelligent method of handling CV >256 in their firmware. DecoderPro uses that method to avoid the problem.
Ops Mode Programming
In Operations Mode commands can be sent to a specified decoder, which requires pre-selection via a throttle.
Computer Interface
The serial interface (USB or serial) can send any command.
Power Cab, SB3, SB5 Firmware
| Firmware Version |
Product | Cabs Supported |
Available Cab Addresses |
Accessory Addresses |
USB Support |
Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V1.1 | Power Cab | 2 |
3 | 3 |
No |
Discontinued | |
| V1.28 | 3 |
3-4 |
3-4 |
Additional Cab Address for Cab04e | |||
| V1.28a | |||||||
| V1.28b | Loco Selection Action Option | ||||||
| V1.28c | Yes |
USB Adapter Support Current Overload Protection | |||||
| V1.28d1 | SB3/SB3a | 4 |
2-5 |
2-5 |
Support for programming track deleted to allow additional throttles and 6 recalls | ||
| V1.28d2 | Bug Fix | ||||||
| V1.65 | Power Cab | 4 |
3-5 |
3-5, 8-10 |
Additional Cab Addresses 6 Recalls Additional Accessory Addresses. Thumbwheel Programming Known Issues:
| ||
| V1.65 |
SB3a/SB5 |
6 |
2-7 |
2-7, 8-10 |
First Upgrade: Same features and bugs as PowerCab 1.65. After reset, loss of Cab Address 6 and 7, Accessory Addresses 8–10. | ||
| V1.65. | Power Cab | 4 |
3-5 |
3-5, 8-10 |
Same as V1.65 with bug fixes for regarding exit of Program Track mode. This version still has issues regarding resetting the Power Cab as seen in 1.65. V1.65B fixes all bugs. NCE later changed its name from V1.65. (removing the period following 65), referring to this version as 1.65 | ||
| V1.65B |
SB3a/SB5 |
6 |
2-7 |
2-7, 8-10 |
Production |
Fixed known bugs in V1.65 | |
| V1.65B |
PowerCab | 4 |
3-5 |
3-5, 8-10 |
Credit: Mark Gurries, 2018 Adapted from a table prepared by Mark Gurries.
See the full chart, with additional details, here: Power Cab/SB3/SB5 Software
NCE Power Cab Extended Functions
Engineer Cab06 Battery Cover Removal
Update NCE Command Station with New Firmware
- ↑ The Momentum key makes changes to CVs 3 & 4 using Ops Mode Programming.