This video shows the steps to program an engine decoder for use on your DCC layout using an NCE command station and program track. This process does not require knowledge of CVs numbers. If you have questions please ask.
Aquired a NCE system and using TCS WOW decoders in 2-Truck Shays. Thanks to you I grasped the concept of programming the "decoder" in the NCE environment on a program track "first". The programming of the long adress to the decoder was my missing link. Went back and re-read NCE's manual and things started to make sense between NCE's programming and programming features of the WOW decoder. Now both can be accessed on "the main" as needed. A newbie saysThank you.
I have changed cvs only to use rule 17 lighting changes to the locomotives. And yes it would change for the worse I think anything else . Thanks for your posts.
I purchased 2-mrc decoders model 1960 and placed in SD-70m's and was instructed that they would support advance consist. Well I followed your video to the letter and found that not true. I did get them to work old style but that will be worthless to me as I need to run more than two locos. Anything I may have done wrong in consisting? MRC not something I will purchase again. Your thoughts on that would be helpful. This video was very helpful as I followed you through the steps. Thank you Mark H.
Arthur, thank you for having this video on youtube, i am just starting out with dcc.This helped me fix my SD70M-2 CN Loco 8812. I do have a Q though on how to change the direction account when I select Forward it runs reverse and reverse forward ? Can u help ?
I listened...and said dat jus has to be a whodat! Lol, then I see below. Up in BR. Thanks for posting. Looking at getting back into this, albeit on a small scale.
I've programmed about 20 NCE decoders in Athearn engines. Normally after I get the long address programmed in I exit out of the program mode. NCE is a super easy DCC system to use. I will alway use NCE over Digittrax system. NCE is a great system to use for someone starting out in DCC. I have a Digitrax system that is impossible to program. When you use a Digitrax decoder in an engine on NCE system the Digitrax decoder draws more power to get that same locomotive moving. The engines that has factory decoders in them like Intermountain are easy to program on NCE too.
Hi Sir, Do you have a video on how you wired that small 'electrical' panel that isolates the Program Track (now used also as a Rep Track) from your whole layout? If so, could you point me in the right direction?
A piece of track with insulators or program section on both rails. a double throw double poll, center off switch. One side is program track, other side is main, center is off for both. Do not run out of the area that is program track while n Program track mode.
What button did you press @4:44 when the cursor was blinking at “short address 3” to get to the screen that said “activate this address”? Also, I have a loco “Duke of Gloucester”. Would the long cab number which is 71000 program into this system ok. It’s just that so far, trains being programmed on you tube seem to only have 4 digit cab numbers.
Is the programming the same between the pro cab and power cab ? I' m about to pull the trigger and buy a power cab starter set. I' m building a small switching layout ( 15" X 10' ). I think the NCE power cab would work me. But I do have one more question. Since a program track is needed and must be insulated ROM the main layout can I use a Atlas turntable to do this ? I thought about putting a DPDT switch with center off like you did here in the video but shut down power to the layout and use the turntable or programming DCC equipped engines Would it be OK to do this or not ?
Yes, you do not have separate program track unless you set one up but not required. Just do not have other engines sitting on live track when programming.
Hey arthur, i didnt know this at first but when i started prog on prog track my whole layout stopped while in that mode. I read latter that is is by design. Is there anyway around this? I hate telling my friends "hey stop your trains a minute i want to reprogram my light".
Yes buy a power cab and set it up with a piece of track and it is were all my guest can program engines with out shutting down the big layout. Only way I know you can do it.
The programming track is physically isolated from main track, only connected when the switch is in the proper position. I get that. But when the switch is thrown the other way how is the cab connected to the programming track? Is there an extra set of wires connected? If so, where? Is there a command station involved? I don't see any extra wiring from the cab, so I am a bit confused. Thanks for answering a newbie question.
There is a connection that says programing track for two leads for connection to the command station. When the cab is put into the program mode the rest of the system is turned off and only program track is active. Cab stays plugged into the cab bus.
Is that an athearn sd40 or kato sd40? Excellent NCE video on pro cab. How to program prime mover cv on an NCE power cab? Can you program cv for different prime movers?
You have to program decoder in engine to work on the address you select. Cannot be lower than 127. and not more than 9999. You have to put in and select long address. Once the decoder is programmed than you can select loco and punch in number you are using IE engine number and press enter and it should appear in top on controller and off you go.
You never program on the Main. That's my rule and many others have this rule. Push the wrong buttons and you end up doing broadcast programing and every loco that is on live track will be programs to something. I have had someone in the middle of op session program all engines to Loco 3 that were live. Two large clubs that I handle do not allow program on Main it is against the club rules.
For the short address for programming a locomotive. If I have a Amtrak train with 3 numbers for the address. Should I put the entire number in or only 2 numbers? Because I am not sure what to do. Also I am very new to DCC.
Are you in a different kind of mode/version of cab or what?? you have v1.3 at top right of the cab screen. I have not seen this on mine. your program goes prg on main,, assn loco cab,, sys clock,, then, "program track" I am using a NCE Procab also Mine goes prg on main,, assn loco cab,, sys clock, then,, "set cmd station",, and on , but never a "prog track". My goal here is that I purchased a used N scale Kato with a decoder hardwired under the light board. I don't know what the address is set to, it has no cab number and 3 is not working so I am wanting to figure out how to reset the address. Since it is hardwired under the light board I didn't want to unwire it to figure out what type decoder it is unless I had to.
Yes when you get to set control part and ask turn DC off do not turn it off. You should be able just to set on DC powered track and it should run. You can only have one DCC decoder on track at once.
If you don't go in and learn how to program cv's on your operating system,especially for lighting,sound and other effects, You'll never realize the full potential that can be had from your operating system.no matter if it's NCE or Digitrax...
and the resulting program 8 to CV 8! No one on utube to show you how it's done. Even companies give the most abridged examples of programing. Programing is so varied and complicated it can't be put into words... Sad
First how old is your command station? Is it a Power Cab or a full 5 amp system Power House Pro Unit? Is it a sound decoder? most this come with old systems and not enough juice on programming track to get into the actual decoder. Soundtrax sells a booster for the programming track also can try programming on the main. But if you do that make sure no other engines on live track you will program them also.
Thomas - in a nutshell....... *YES!!!!!* It's already more advanced, before you even open the box! And it's arguably the most user-friendly DCC system available.
I am trying to program a DCC with sound after going to program and selecting standard it is telling me it cannot read CV. I cannot find any tips on what to do when this occurs. Can you help me? I am working on a short piece of track. Just getting into this and am getting really confused. Videos make it seem easy and I just keep getting this message. Also I was under the impression that a loco with sound should have the sound and light come on as soon as I put it on a track with power running to it and I am getting nothing.
What is your command station. Power House Pro 5 amp or a Power Cab 2 amp system and how old is it? Are you using a program track or programing on the main? Is it a sound unit? You should continue even though it say can't read CV the compositor in decoder can block feed back but you actually are programing the decoder.
It is a brand new power cab system. I dont have a layout set up yet so was working with a 2 foot section of track and was using the program track setting. WE tried with three different DCC engines. One has sound the other two dont. Got the same message on all. Tried continuing and it let me continue but after I was finished and went to select locomovtive and tried to run it I didnt get anything.
no it did not. Called NCE and we think it may have been that the track was not getting power. I tried testing it with a multimeter- though im not the best with electronics so could have been reading wrong and it appears that I may have gotten a faulty controller. Shipped it back and they are going to run test adn see if they can figure out why we were not getting power to the track.
I will answer your question this way. What type of system do your friends have if they have Digitrax you are probably better off with theirs. Yes I have used both and NCE is easier. NCE uses a serial buss and Digitrax uses a network buss.
Don't fret Jim! If you have got an NCE controller and a DCC layout. let me tell you, you have the right gear to get off to a great start. with so much expansion you wont ever need another controller for a very long time! If you have any Hornby rubbish though you're in for a world of hurt. (they don't mix well with anything but Hornby) This clip is showing off some of the more complex programming you can do with your NCE controller. BUT don't worry! You can just run your trains around very easily without having to worry about any programming. By default most trains are programmed to be #3 So put a DCC ready train on the track, hit number 3 on your controller and you're away!
Jim Schrom - Then you're DEFINITELY in the wrong place!! 😜 The greatest thing about our Hobby is, you can do nearly ANYTHING you want. It's YOUR Railroad!!! Enjoy y DC train set.
