Hoping someone may have experienced or knows of what to do to get the program display to display track current instead of clock for PowerCab with SB5. (If not I'll need to check with NCE support) (FYI-Everything else seems to work) Just received the SB5, set it up along with some UTP's and then found something I had not expected once powered on. PowerCab is plugged in through UTP now (same original cable) PCP is only set up for Program Track and not linked at all to layout. I noticed that there is no longer a reading for the track current? It used to be displayed in top right either track current or clock. Now only the clock displays. SB5 manual says to refer to PowerCab instructions so there should not be anything special about that. Cab Parameters = Program, #6. I used to be able to select either the track current or clock now there is not even an option for track current as shown in my screen shot below.
I will say, we've all gone thru these mysteries with DCC throttles. I have a PowerCab and have gone thru lots of frustration only to eventually find out it was my own lack of knowledge and comprehension causing it, not the NCE equipment or loco decoder..Not sure what you are asking here. But eventually you will work it out. Does shutting down main AC power clear/restore the screen ? Anyway, you do have the best DCC system, far as I'm concerned. M
I agree many times I've overlooked something only to figure it out later and yes I love the NCE Power Cab especially the addition of the SB5 now. Let me see if I can better explain what is missing-(yes, I have shutdown and restarted the new system) Setup the Cab Parameters- [This is the Default abilities with the Power Cab in this setup mode] To get there select PROG/ESC and 6 (6 is the shortcut to avoid pressing prog 6 times) There are 6 programmable features in Cab Parameters. SHOW TRACK CURRENT NUMBER OF RECALLS ANALOG HORN CHANNEL ANALOG AUX CHANNEL ANALOG BIAS ASSINGING THE BELL FUNCTION Now back to what I am not seeing based on the above after adding the SB5- 1. SHOW TRACK CURRENT is no longer in Setup the Cab parameters. Adding 2 pics: 1 pic is the Power Cab display showing the clock in the top right - this is where the Track Current used to display based on above Setup procedure. The second pic is the Power Cab user manual for Setup the Cab Parameters. The very first step no is no longer available, this is my question if anyone knows it is now somewhere else? I can't find any data about the upgrade removing this at the NCE ZEN desk.
I'm just spit balling here as it has been many years since I set up my SB3 many years ago. I wonder if using the four wire coil cord rather than the original six wire flat cord would change things. Is there a software conflict between the new SB5 and older Powercab? Does the problem persist after the command station is reset to original factory settings? Not much, but hope it helps.
I tried using both the flat 6wire cable and the coiled cable at the UTP port in front to the Power Cab and I can't tell that changes anything, for ease of use I stick with the coiled cord so I don't have the 7' flat hanging on the ground. Software conflict unknown to me...I suppose I would need to send a support e-mail to ZEN NCE folks. Does the problem persist after the command station is reset to original factory settings? hmm, I'll have to look into this-I don't think I read about doing that in the Power Cab user manual. SB5 does not have a user manual but only eludes to see Power Cab user manual for setup and this isn't covered. thanks JP, gives me one more thing to look at and then I'll see about ZEN NCE support and if no luck on my end will ping them, I figured I'd ask in the forums first since the ZEN NCE folks tend to be fairly busy and may take awhile to respond or not at all.
I am not familiar with the SB3 but I assume it's a power booster or an extension unit of the PCab for more loco slots and other programming functions. What happens if you remove the SB3 from the system and just use the PCab ? If all becomes normal again, then a better understanding of, or repair, is in order for the SB3. No ? .. M
Well, looks like I need to set up something like Rick Brodzinsky has in his layout, I want to be able to read track voltage and engine current draw like the Power Cab used to display. Here is NCE ZEN Desk response: "You are correct the track current display option is only available when using the power cab by itself without the booster"
What you saw on my layout is a RRampMeter. For current draw, needs to be wired “inline” from your booster to the bus.
Rick, I don't think he means that as much as he means he wants those back in his NCE PowerCab screen. Jeff, sorry if you already did, but do disconnect the SB3 from the circuit. Then just mess with the PCab's vast memory; get to know your way around it and pos. back to the display you can't find.. I bet if you can do this a few days or weeks even, where your matching Opps. with the Manual is nearer to a piece of cake (+-)..For instance, my PCab is in storage right now due to dwelling relocation(s) and haven't had her in my hand near 2 years now. But CV 128 is master vollume, I believe 116 is the 3 whistle types, aspects of 'program on the main' v 'use program track', back bmf setting, momentum level, assignin cab commands to different engines separately; some sitting/some rolling, Long/short addresses (can use cab numbers). Get the RR running with your basic cab.... This may be your ticket to ride.. Then try the SB3 and see if it messes some of that up or not.... .
Rick, I don't think he means that as much as he means he wants those back in his NCE PowerCab screen. Jeff, sorry if you already did, but do disconnect the SB3 from the circuit. Then just mess with the PCab's vast memory; get to know your way around it and pos. back to the display you can't find.. I bet if you can do this a few days or weeks even, where your matching Opps. with the Manual is nearer to a piece of cake (+-)..For instance, my PCab is in storage right now due to dwelling relocation(s) and haven't had her in my hand near 2 years now. But CV 128 is master vollume, I believe 116 is the 3 whistle types, aspects of 'program on the main' v 'use program track', back bmf setting, momentum level, assignin cab commands to different engines separately; some sitting/some rolling, Long/short addresses (can use cab numbers). Get the RR running with your basic cab.... This may be your ticket to ride.. Then try the SB3 and see if it messes some of that up or not.... .
Actually both of the above, if I can't get the display I liked Rick's set up. As I am not nearly as advanced as Rick is of course the display on the NCE would be easiest for me, but I could over time work something up to display at the layout. I'll mess around some more with the Power Cab but the NCE folks agreed it will not display with SB5...
