NCE radio problem & fix!

[kbkchooch]

I just wanted to pass on a little info, something to keep in mind. After the October GSMTS show, I bought a ProcabR (radio). I got it home, plugged in the base station, and started running trains. Everything was wonderful! The other day I got my modules out of the trailer and set them up. I took the NCE system from my shelf layout and attached it to the modules. Everything was fine. Then yesterday my Radio Procab started acting up. It would just go stupid at times, refusing to do anything. I thought batteries, swapped batteries, no change. Then I attached a cord and plugged it in where the base station had plugged in. It worked, but erraticly it would "freeze up", then after a few seconds, it would start working.
I called Larry at NCE and described the problem. He said it may have lost the layout ID and gave me a reset procedure. I tried that and called him back with the results. No change. After a bit more discussion he gave me the news I had been avoiding. The radio part of the Procab must have a failure, and that I could send it off for a free replacement. It would be gone about a week. Later I found the original box and was about to box it up when I reached for my cab04 to move a train out of the way. Funny thing, that cab didnt work either, then suddenly, it did! This prompted me to try something. I pulled the UTP from the shelf layout and swapped it with the one from the module and plugged everything back in the way it was earlier. Now EVERTHING worked properly!! Upon further examination with a bright light and a magnifier, the first UTP was corroded inside! I'll get it cleaned up and back in service soon, but I guess the lesson here is whenever we have a problem with our NCE systems, it's best to cover the basics and verify that components are properly connected before we start condemming components.
Just thought I would pass it along, I'll call NCE back tomorrow and let Larry know!

 

[ianacole]

I'm resurrecting this because I am having a problem with my ProCab and wondering if anyone has any advice.

When I power on the system, the ProCab displays:

NCE PROCAB V1.3
CAB ADDRESS = 02

And then nothing else happens. It will not move to the locomotive selection/control screen. The track has power, as my passenger cars light up and if I short the track the base unit alerts me. I had the system unplugged for awhile while I was relaying foam and track; ~4 weeks, but can't imagine this would be the cause of these issues.

Things I have tried:
1) I can enter program mode by holding "Select Loco" and powering on the system. I step through the programs and once complete, reverts to the screen above and does nothing else.
2) I have reset the Cab address to "00", which I believe is supposed to reset the ProCab.
3) I have pulled the battery jumper to reset the memory of the base unit.
4) I have disconnected all track connections and power cycled the unit.
5) I have reseated the memory chip in the unit.
6) I have let it sit powered on for awhile

Nothing has worked. Anyone else with this experience know of a fix or have any suggestions? I'm waiting on confirmation for the NCE Yahoo! Group to pose the question to them, as well.

Thanks!

Ian

 

[Motley]

Hmm, that's odd. I don't know, you've tried everything I was going to suggest.

Just call NCE support and see what they say. It sounds like it's defective.

But after reading from the other post about the bad UTP cable, did you try replacing that?

 

[kbkchooch]

Just call NCE support and see what they say. It sounds like it's defective.

Excellent suggestion!! Try to get a hold of Larry at NCE. I think he has forgotten more about the system than any of us will ever learn.

But after reading from the other post about the bad UTP cable, did you try replacing that?

Or even simpler, plug your cab directly into the front of the unit, bypassing your UTP's

 

[thaddeusthudpucker]

Check your connections between the cab bus and the UTP ports. If you have a different cab, take it and start at the base station and gradually go through and test the cab bus. If you get past the initial screen at the base station, you have a problem *somewhere else*. If that is your only cab and it gets past the diagnostic screen when you plug it in, then the cab is fine.

I had a similar problem on the club layout and I did that and tracked it down to a fault in the cab bus. Our layout is sectional, so it has lots of little jumpers wires and places to go awry. Fixed it though.

 

[ianacole]

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions. I don't have any UTPs, this is plugged directly into the PowerHouse pro base station. I will be giving NCE a call this morning.