NCE Power Can and Analogue
- Thread starter MartinP
- Start date
I don't own a PowerCab so I don't know about programming with it. The Powercab doesn't have separate programming track connections so you have to do things differently than with the full ProCab system which I run (eg. with the PowerCab you have to remove all other locos from the layout or use a switch to change to a separate section of track?)
To be honest I cannot remember the last time I used the programming track on the ProCab as I've always used a SPROG box and a PC to program decoders. That said, you certainly should be able to set the decoder address with your PowerCab. Looking at the PowerCab manual it looks pretty straight forward to set a short or a long address?
Have you managed to change the address on other decoders - is it just the Massoth decoder that's giving problems? does the PowerCab read the manufacturer ID ok (should be 123)? Have you checked that the active address setting (long or short) is correct for the address you've set?
To be honest I cannot remember the last time I used the programming track on the ProCab as I've always used a SPROG box and a PC to program decoders. That said, you certainly should be able to set the decoder address with your PowerCab. Looking at the PowerCab manual it looks pretty straight forward to set a short or a long address?
Have you managed to change the address on other decoders - is it just the Massoth decoder that's giving problems? does the PowerCab read the manufacturer ID ok (should be 123)? Have you checked that the active address setting (long or short) is correct for the address you've set?
I haven't had much joy changing addresses with my Power Cab, but I've always put it down to the fact that I use it through a booster, and don't get the feedback. Most other programming of MTS chips works fine.
Interesting. Presumably when programming through the booster you're effectively doing "Programming On The Main". That method of programming doesn't give you any feedback and you cannot read CVs. It's my understanding that you cannot change a decoder's address through Programming On The Main.
In order to perform "programing track" or "service mode" style programming you'd have to NOT be using a booster I'd have thought. Only service mode programming allows the feedback via motor pulses that allows the programmer to read CVs.
As I say I don't have a PowerCab but the manual does indicate that service mode progamming is possible, you just have to remove all other locos from the layout or they'll all get programmed the same.
I'm toying with the idea of getting a PowerCab for my lad's 009 layout and to be a second full cab for my main 10 amp ProCab system.
In order to perform "programing track" or "service mode" style programming you'd have to NOT be using a booster I'd have thought. Only service mode programming allows the feedback via motor pulses that allows the programmer to read CVs.
As I say I don't have a PowerCab but the manual does indicate that service mode progamming is possible, you just have to remove all other locos from the layout or they'll all get programmed the same.
I'm toying with the idea of getting a PowerCab for my lad's 009 layout and to be a second full cab for my main 10 amp ProCab system.