Power Cab System Reference. Manual - part 12

ASSIGNING A LOCO TO A CAB

(shortcut = PROG 2 )

This selection passes a loco or consist from one cab to another. This is especially
useful when the other operator is a novice or has a Basic Cab. The locomotive/
consist is passed to the assigned cab and the locomotive/consist controlled by the
other cab is passed back to the original cab. In effect the locomotives controlled by
the cabs are “swapped”. This way you will not accidentally ‘lose’ a locomotive in the
system.

ASSIGN THE LOCO

Enter the loco/consist number you want to assign to another cab, then press
ENTER. If you want to assign the loco you are currently running just push ENTER.

ASSIGN 02:00PM

WHICH LOCO: _003

ASSIGN THE CAB

You need to know the address of the cab you want to ‘receive’ the loco you are
assigning. Enter the Cab number then press ENTER.

LOC:1234 02:00PM

TO WHICH CAB? _

This operation is also useful to transfer an old style consist to a smaller cab without
the capability of setting up consists.

SET THE SYSTEM CLOCK

(shortcut = PROG 3)

This allows the operator to start/stop the clock, set it, choose 12 or 24 hour
operation, or change the fast clock ratio.

STOPPING THE CLOCK

Press 1 to stop the clock, press ENTER to leave the clock running and continue with
clock programming. If the clock is already stopped, you will be prompted to start it.

STOP? 02:00PM

ENTER=NO 1=STOP

SETTING 12 or 24 HOUR MODE

Press 1 for 12 hour mode, press ENTER for 24 hour mode.

SET TIME 02:00PM

1=12HR 2=24HR _

ENTERING THE HOUR

Enter the starting hour in 24 hour format. For times in the A.M. use 0 to 11. For times
in the P.M. use 12 to 23. Press ENTER.

SET TIME 02:00PM

ENTER HOURS: _

ENTERING THE MINUTE

Enter the starting minute. Use 0 through 59. Press ENTER.

SET TIME 02:00PM

ENTER MINUTES: _

ENTERING THE RATIO

Enter the ratio that the clock should run at with 1 being the normal speed. The ratio
can be any number from 1 (1:1) to 15 (15:1). Press ENTER.

SET TIME 02:00PM

ENTER RATIO: _

STARTING THE CLOCK

If the clock was stopped, entering SET THE SYSTEM CLOCK will display this screen
to let you start (or restart) the clock. Press 1 to start the clock, press ENTER to
leave the clock stopped and continue with clock programming (see above).

START? 02:00PM

ENTER=NO 1=START

USE PROGRAM TRACK

(shortcut = PROG 4)

Locomotive decoders remember their operating parameters such as the address,
start voltage and lighting effect setups in the decoder’s memory. Each storage
location is called a Configuration Variable, or CV for short. There is usually a CV for
each programmable parameter. The Power CabTM allows you to change any or all
of the CVs in the loco, including the address. These variables will remain as
programmed until you change them. Programming on the Main (covered earlier in
this manual) is very useful for modifying one, two or a few CVs while the locomotive
is out on the layout. The Program Track is useful for more intensive initial setup of a
locomotive. The biggest advantage of the program track is the ability to read out the
values of CVs already setup in the locomotive decoder.

Please note: The programming track does not supply enough power to run your
locomotive. You can only run trains on the main track. We recommend that you
always try out a newly installed decoder on the Program Track first. If you can ‘read’
a decoder on the Program Track you can reasonably expect that it is wired correctly
and working properly.

PROGRAMMING OPTIONS

Just as with Programming on the Main there are several menu options you can
select. The Power CabTM system provides 7 different Program Track options.
Descriptions of each programming option are described below.

1 = STANDARD DECODER SETUP, including

Address, Configuration and Function Mapping.

2 = CHANGE ANY CV IN THE DECODER

Reads and programs CVs 1-999.

3 = SET UP THE DECODER CONFIGURATION (CV29)

Change direction of operation, analog mode on/off, 14 or 28 speed mode,

long or short address, factory or custom speed table.

4 = PAGED MODE PROGRAMMING

Force the system to use paged mode programming.

5 = DIRECT MODE PROGRAMMING

Force the system to use direct mode programming.

6 = NCE EFFECTS

Setup NCE lighting effects.

7 = RECOVERY PROGRAMMING

Reprograms selected decoder CVs in an attempt to get an ‘insane’ decoder

back to somewhat normal operation.

8 = DECODER UNLOCK

Unlocks a “Lockable, NCE decoder.

The first three options are displayed below. Press ENTER to see more options. For
example: If you wish to program the “Standard” locomotive parameters, press 1, if
you want to program decoder CVs press 2.

PROG TRK 02:00PM

1=STD 2=CV 3=REG

This screen allows the user to select the method of programming to suit the decoder

you are using. There are 7 programming options when using the program track. STD
programming (option 1) will automatically determine whether to use the Direct or
Paged programming methods. Paged programming is used by older decoders and
can take up to fifteen seconds to read each CV. Direct mode is newer and generally
reads CVs in one to two seconds. For various reasons you may wish to ‘force’ the
programming method to one or the other types. You can press 4 for paged
programming or press 5 for direct programming. Standard (1) sets the most common
decoder parameters.

STANDARD PROGRAMMING (Option 1)

This option automatically determines if the decoder supports Direct or Paged
programming and uses the appropriate method for subsequent programming
operations. Use this option for initial setup of your decoder. You will be advised about
the manufacturer and the version of the decoder software. You will also be able to
setup the decoder address, basic configuration, motor control, NMRA standard
function mapping and finally any additional CVs you may wish to program.

DECODER MANUFACTURER

This is the NMRA assigned manufacturer number of the decoder. All NCE decoders
respond with 11. Press ENTER to continue.

MAIN OFF 02:00PM

MANUFACTURER:011

You may get this error message:

MAIN OFF 02:00PM

CAN NOT READ CV

This means the decoder did not respond to attempts to read this parameter
value in the decoder. There are several things that can cause a failure to read:
a miswired decoder, broken or missing track pickup wires, the motor is not
connected to the decoder, defective decoder, wires to the program track are
disconnected, etc. You may also see this error if the CV you are reading is not
supported by the decoder. All decoders require that a motor (or similar ‘load’) be
connected to the decoder for proper reading on the program track. Decoders
that draw too much power from the program track can also cause this
message. Most sound decoders draw large amounts of current. The Power
Cab

can supply the NMRA limit of ¼ Amp of current for initial ‘charging’ of

these decoders and 220mA of continuous current for normal program track
operations. If the decoder exceeds these capabilities you will get the error or a
short circuit message. Press ENTER to continue. You will probably still be able
to program by ignoring the error. Press ENTER, then proceed in the usual
manner.

DECODER VERSION

This display indicates the programming method in use on the top line and the version
number of the software in the decoder on the bottom line. Press ENTER to continue.

DIR MODE 02:00PM

DECODER VER: 041

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