I never saw you as angry just frustrated and as you said "Disappointed" works here. Typically, anger is a choice and we use it when all else fails. You weren't anywhere near that! I learned something from Woodone and you. Thinking about a new idea that might work on my layout. Glad I tuned into this discussion.
The whole purpose of replacing the PowerCab with the Zephyr was to have LocoNet. I’m putting down the hand held throttle for the mouse. It’s just that simple. I hung a large flat screen monitor on the wall equipped with my turnout control panel and throttles. I can view my entire layout from my swivel chair and with the help of the turnout panel and animated signal lights I can now finally keep track of the switches. As it turns out JMRI is not ready for the DCS51, so I guess I’ll be putting up the Digitrax and go back to the NCE until the new version comes out. I’ll be doing that tonight when I get back home from work.
Sleeper, I don't know if you know about the Amp reading feature of the NCE Power Cab. There is a feature on the Power Cab the will let you read the Amps being used while running. Hit the Prog/Esc button 6 times-- the display should read Cab Parms, hit enter, should ask if you want to display track current-- enter 1 for yes. The Amps will be displayed in the right top of the display as you run. This might help you with finding what is drawing so much power that it is shutting down the system. Light bulbs do draw a bit of current, so if you have a bunch of lighted cars, that will load the system.
Oh wow, thanks! Now that you mention it, I do remember seeing something about once a long time ago, but I forgot all about it. Thanks again because I’m real curious to see exactly what it is, because I’m only going by what people have told me. :thumbs_up:
Dang Sleeper and Woodone, You guys are getting right into it while I'm still playing with DPDT toggles. Way to go.
A what??? What is a DPDT anyway. LOL Oh, I do have one or two of these things I use for controlling reverse loop turnouts. I almost forgot. Rick, You still running on DC? There is a learning curve on the DCC stuff that is for sure. DCC is great stuff though- Sure puts a lots of those DPDT's out to pasture. Jump right in, the water is fine in the DCC world.
The "devil's advocate" might suggest throwing away the dcc stuff and going with onboard batteries and radio control. No more searching for power cables, shorts, open circuits, dirty track and wheels..just happily running trains without any problems. Again-MY OPINION. Woodie-happy with my decision after almost 10 years
Well my 4 yr old grandson sure likes his battery trains. I stopped by to visit and he had track running from his bedroom all the way to the kitchen and around the isle cabinet with 4 trains running. He was pulling up track and turnouts then moving them ahead faster than the trains were moving. He was constantly changing direction into other rooms. I wish I could lay track that fast and not have to worry about wires.
Sleeper-you said it! Grandkids will be the model railroaders of tomorrow and they won't put up with ancient technology to run their trains. Something to think about.THIS IS MY OPINION..thought I had better write that. Woodie
Well, now there's a true future empire builder! The boy obviously has a great imagination. Boxcab E50
LOL I still run with Analog DC. I did wire in Cab A for DCC. I own one locomotive that is DCC. It sold me on getting some more loco's converted. I have to wrestle out of my budget the where with all. Loads of fun but with you guys moving to computer control...gosh...that's way ahead of me.biggrin:
