Hi. I am brand new to DCC and recently bought me an NCE Powercab from a hobby shop since I saw just how easy it was to setup. I get it home and set it up (I did the read the manual), and it cannot read the decoder in my engine. I know it is not the engine and that it works fine because the shop demo'ed the engine on their DCC demo track and it ran beautifully. The shop was also using an NCE Powercab for their demo track. The Cab Address seems to be set correctly at 02, I am using the flat cable in the left plug, but I cannot seem to figure out why it cannot read the decoder in my engine. I suspect its a track connection issue, but the wires appear to be securely screwed into the 2-pin plug. I'm hoping someone can help point out the problem Hope you can see something I cannot. I'm itching to get my new DCC locomotives running. Thanks in advance
I just noticed I forgot to mention this, but I also cannot get the engine to even start when on the track. Entering 3 on select loco does not start the engine, even though it started fine at the shop. I do not know they typed in to make it start though. Figured I should specify that when I said it cannot the decoder
In order to read CV"s you have to put it into Program Track mode . Also try programing the loco # as the address that may get the loco running . Mike
Ok. Wow. I feel dumb. Rookie mistake. I was messing with it and found the problem. Where you connect the wire from the track into the 2 pin slot that connect to the board (where you screw down and secure the wire) I slotted the wire *under* the screw fastener instead of into it. So no power was going to the track. Oh boy lol. That's funny. I will leave the thread up as a funny reminder to my rookie-ness. I appreciate the advice regarding coding the engine number as the address. Will have to do that once I get comfortable with basic operation of DCC
We have all been there. Be careful when you put it into program track mode so you don't program every loco on the layout.
No sweat, I'm about three rookie mistakes ahead of you. If you hurry, you can catch up - my throttle just got sent back for warranty repairs.
Once I get more comfortable running in DCC and want to try running multiple trains at once, I am almost certain my next rookie mistake will be me accidentally programing the same address to 2 engines, or programing an address to the wrong engine. Honestly, it feels quite relieving to know that everyone messes up DCC. Somehow DCC is really easy to setup, but also really to mess up at the same time
I think that's one of the best things about forums like this; just knowing others have been where you are and survived/thrived. As soon as you're sure nobody has made the same dumb mistake you did, someone else has been there, done that, and shows you the light at the end of the tunnel (and it's not an oncoming train!)
