NCE Power Cab Q's

[Joetrain59]

So, I'm delving into the mystical world of DCC with said system. (Cue theme from Star Trek).  I'm sure I'll have many questions, and I'm sorry if I'm a PITA with them. I saw in one post about lighting #boards on Atlas S2. I have only DC versions. Tried to operate one, #boards lit, but no movement, and a hum/buzz from loco. Is Power Cab able to run DC only locos?  Want to hook up MRC DC throttle, to see if those #boards lit. I think they did?
 On the other hand, that Bmann NW2 that Jeff provided a new PC board for runs very well and slow start-up. I found hitting Bell button on NCE throttle toggles headlight brightness. Thought I would replace them in DC mode, but not now.
 Thank you forum members for all your help.
 Joe D

[djconway]

https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/204481275-DC-on-DCC-Zero-Bit-Stretching-is-Not-Supported-by-NCE
Looks like NCE does not support DC Locos on their systems.

[Joetrain59]

NCE Power Cab manual is daunting to read, and Lot's of info on their site. I'm so unfamiliar with so many terms. Looks like I'll have to toggle between DC and DCC throttles.
 Thanks,
Joe D

[peteski]

NCE Power Cab manual is daunting to read, and Lot's of info on their site. I'm so unfamiliar with so many terms. Looks like I'll have to toggle between DC and DCC throttles.
 Thanks,
Joe D

Yes, a DPDT toggle switch to select either DC or DCC is an ideal (and very simple) solution utilized by many modelers with small  layouts and a fleet of both DC and DCC locos.

Not many DCC systems support the "zero-stretching" DC operation on DCC power using address 0.  It was never meant as a permanent solution (but more of a temporary measure when people wanted to run an occasional DC train).

The DC on DCC operation is really hard on the DC motors - it makes them get hot, even while just sitting on the track.  It can also destroy coreless motors (but overheating the delicate rotor).  That is why many DCC system manufacturers decided to remove that option.

[Joetrain59]

Pete, I'm sure I have DPDT toggle that I was going use for a Peco EF crossing.
 I think I just found on NCE site a way to read/adjust CV's. Want to change CV115 to 2 for K4 whistle. NCE manual just didn't do it for me.
 Can I use a section of track, off the layout to use for programming?
 Thanks again to all,
 Joe D

[peteski]

Pete, I'm sure I have DPDT toggle that I was going use for a Peco EF crossing.
 I think I just found on NCE site a way to read/adjust CV's. Want to change CV115 to 2 for K4 whistle. NCE manual just didn't do it for me.
 Can I use a section of track, off the layout to use for programming?
 Thanks again to all,
 Joe D

Sure, you can use a piece of track off layout for programming your locos.  But remember that Power Cab does not have separate programming track output - both the mainline and programming track share the same pair of wires.  You can hook up the Power Cab's track output to a DPDT toggle switch then hook up your layout to one side of the switch and the programming track to the other.  Then you you go into the programming track programming mode, throw the toggle to connect to the programming track.  But be sure to always do that before using programming track mode because if the layout's trackage is connected to Power Cab while in the programming track mode, you will reprogram all the locos which are sitting on your layout!  This DPDT switch would be in addition to the DC/DCC switch we discussed earlier.

Using programming track is really helpful for many programming tasks (like initializing a decoder for the first time or for changing its address), but for things like changing effects (like whistles or lighting effects or even motor control parameters) it makes sense to use main line programming mode.  That method is quite easy to do.

If the loco you want to program is already dialed up on your throttle then hit the PROG button on the throttle. The display will then show the current loco's address as default selection. Just hit ENTER. On the next menu select "CV" and ENTER. At this point you can type in 115, ENTER, then the new value and ENTER.  Then hit ESC to get back to the throttle mode and now you can try the whistle. It should reflect the change you just made.

[Joetrain59]

I did change the whistle to Baldwin B4G, not as loud as banshee. I did adjust CV129 for whistle volume to 255. I wonder what the Reading whistle is like. Might have a chance to work with this late tonight. GF and I are house hunting:)
 This reminds when I worked as photog, and had to transition from film to digital. Didn't think I'd ever get all that, but I eventually did.
 Joe D

[djconway]

A little time a ND trial & error and you'll get the hang of DCC. 
You're not helping peteski's anti-Digitrax campaign.

[Joetrain59]

So when I have time, I've been setting loco addresses by loco road #. Have to pay attention to EVERY little step. Next to try is motor control settings, and lower volume and headlight brightness on new M1b. Also the demon of even slightly dirty track has appeared. Getting more comfortable with it, but so much more to learn I'm sure.
 Thanks,
 Joe D

[peteski]

So when I have time, I've been setting loco addresses by loco road #. Have to pay attention to EVERY little step. Next to try is motor control settings, and lower volume and headlight brightness on new M1b. Also the demon of even slightly dirty track has appeared. Getting more comfortable with it, but so much more to learn I'm sure.
 Thanks,
 Joe D

Sounds like you are making progress Joe.
As far as dirty track is concerned I don't think that DCC is really that much more sensitive that DC.  Clean track and wheels are very important for reliable operation in any scale, but the smaller the scale, the more critical it becomes. I'm sure this is related to the weight of the locomotives.

[Joetrain59]

An oddity last night while setting address for 44 Ton NH loco. NH loco #'s start with a 0. Can't get that for first digit. 0818 becomes 818. 
 Joe D

[peteski]

An oddity last night while setting address for 44 Ton NH loco. NH loco #'s start with a 0. Can't get that for first digit. 0818 becomes 818. 
 Joe D

That is by design. Address stored in the decoder is a number (not a string of numeric characters) so there are no leading zeros in the loco addresses.  We are talking about setting the address while programming a decoder.  Also, address "44" can be set up as a long or short address. I recommend using the same address scheme (long) for all your locomotives to prevent confusion later.

But to complicate things, various brands of DCC systems throttles display the selected address differently.   Some throttles might display leading zeros when you dial up an address where the number is less than 4-digit long.  Also short or long addresses can be displayed differently.  See page 26 of your Power Cab manual for more details.

[Joetrain59]

Thanks, Pete. I've been using long address, using loco road #, as suggested. First time on DCC for any loco I've had before. Mainly Bmann. Have to  get my Athearn Challenger on layout, and see what happens with that. I assume Power Cab will work with Tsunami decoder?
 Meanwhile back to the work bench for some little projects.
 Joe D

[peteski]

I assume Power Cab will work with Tsunami decoder?

All the DCC decoders and all the DCC command stations are compatible (that is what DCC standard is all about).    While it is not always 100% true (there might be some quirks), in general everything works together just fine.

[Joetrain59]

So when I have time, I've been setting loco addresses by loco road #. Have to pay attention to EVERY little step. Next to try is motor control settings, and lower volume and headlight brightness on new M1b. Also the demon of even slightly dirty track has appeared. Getting more comfortable with it, but so much more to learn I'm sure.
 Thanks,
 Joe D

Have lowered bell and whistle volume, and I think I lowered brightness on M1 headlight. (Have to double check). Now I've been trying to figure out these motor control abilities. Is it setting speed steps, StartV, or what. Currently fiddling with Bmann mogul ( saw Marks idea on programming in encyclopedia, works well), and the GE 44/70T locos. To find CV's, do I read version #, and go to NMRA site? Bmann site seems to be weak in giving this newbie info. Downloaded/printed a 2 pg. for their 2 funtion EZ-command decoder. But don't know if it applies to said Bmann locos.

 Thanks again,
 Joe D