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I finally got my new NCE in the mail today....sped all the way home, flew upstairs n ripped open the box!! I got it workin as per the instructions on the first 3 or 4 pages in the book, but after programming an address for my loco, it will do everything except move. If its in FWD mode the prime mover will rev right up to max RPM on the speed steps, but on reverse it will just idle. What have I done wrong??
You're talking about the sound revving right up? I'm a bit lost, it sounds like you're saying that the sound works in forwards but not reverse, and the loco is not moving in either direction?
If it is just the sound your talking about, then that is the decoder in the loco causing the problem, not the nce system. You may want to do a reset of the decoder, then if you still have a problem post back on exactly what its doing.
Nope...sound is good. All the sounds work as they should, except the engine doesnt rev when I put it in reverse, and the loco does not move at all with anything I do. It is an Atlas gold 8-40 w/ QSI decoder...
I don't have any sound locos so can't comment on what is happening with the reverse thing. As for the motor not working, you probably have a loose connection. It's common that on the programming track the decoder will spit chips if it doesn't detect the resistance from the motor in the circuit and the PowerCab will read "CANNOT READ CV". Other decoders, like the ones on my Kato F7s, manage to bypass this and will seemingly function fine, lights will work etc, but the motor doesn't have a complete circuit so the train doesn't move.
Put it on your track. On the NCE throttle, press the lower Left hand button that says "Prog/Esc." Press it until it says Program on Main. Hit Enter. Press whatever the # it is for programming CVs and hit Enter.
Now program these CVs in order to reset the decoder:
Set CV49 to 128 (type 49 then enter, then 128 for the value, then Enter)
Set CV50 to 255
Set CV56 to 113
As engine resets you will hear the 3 toots. Test out the locomotive using address 3.
Note, this is only for QSI sound decoders. Most other resets are easier.
It means you got a problem! Don't try to run your train if it says that on the programming track!
To be more specific, the error means that the PowerCab cannot get a response from the decoder. The first thing it does is try to read the CVs (configuration variables) for the manufacturer and version of the decoder. If it cannot read these from the decoder, you get the error. The other error you need to watch out for is "SHORT DETECTED", which is fairly self-explanatory. Your error could mean-
-The decoder is connected to the pick-ups ok, but NOT to the motor. As stated above, most decoders will give an error if they don't detect the expected resistance of the motor (including if the circuit isn't there at all). When the decoder knows something is wrong it doesn't talk back to the PowerCab and you get "CANNOT READ CV".
-The decoder is not connected to the pick-ups properly so it isn't getting power.
-The decoder is dead.
Seeing as you have sound it's most likely the first one. Also, if everything is normal you will hear a sort of clicking/chirping sound every time the PowerCab reads/writes a CV on the decoder. The sound is from a short burst of power going to the motor so you may also notice the loco inch forward.
Once again do not run your train when it is giving that error, worst case scenario you could end up with a melted blob of plastic where you train used to be. If you're comfortable with it, take off the shell and have a look at the wires/terminals, specifically the ones that connect the motor to the decoder.
OK....well I am kinda baffled here. I tried the above mentioned solutions, resetting the decoder and it was making the little short noises as it was programming. When I get to CV56 to make it 113, then it says "cannot read cv" and now I cant get anything out of it at all, no sound or movement. I tried it on DC and it runs fine with sound and movement...what could I check next??
I have looked the frame over good and it looks as though there are good connections everywhere. This loco has only been operated on DC sine I bought it new, and it has maybe seen a couple hrs use and has never been dropped or absorbed any shock (except for the 4 MPH joints I made getting used to the momentum haha)
I hope you got it to work. But if you cant program/reset it, then youve got a bad decoder. Its happened to me before, only thing you can do is return it.
Nope...somethin is screwy n I am gettin a lil pissed off with this set up...maybe DCC aint the way for me. I had it working fine, move back and forth, all the sound worked as it should...had it sitting there for 3 or 4 mins while I was reading the NCE manual and then all of a sudden it wouldnt move again when I went to move it in fwd or reverse. Now somehow it keeps saying cant read cv when I try to program CV56, and then after that I tried to hit 'select loco' and now get this other mode and I have no idea how to get out of the "old style con " mode....PLEASE HELP!!! What am I doing wrong??
First, PLEASE dont give up. DCC is great and the NCE system is the one I have and its a wonderful system.
I think you have you locomotive somehow programmed into a Consist. See if you can Delete it by pressing DEL and the address #. If it lets you delete the consist (there's a chance it may say "Cant DEL a Lead Loco"), then just reselect the locomotives address and try to run it.
If it says "Cant DEL a Lead Loco", take all your other locos off the track and press "PROG/ESC" until you get to "PRG Track". See what the value of CV 19 is. Try to then reset CV 19 to 0.
I think the NCE system somehow has a consist with your locomotive in it. I think thats your problem.
OK thanks Brad, I will try that and see what happens. I am doing this on a test track, havnt hooked it to the layout yet so just the 1 loco so far. I have been scared to try and program my other loco in case I run into the same problems and end up screwin somethin up with this...
After all that, try another reset using that 3 step procedure described above with those 3 CVs. Hopefully youll hear the 3 toots or 'reset.' Also, each time you finish programming, its a good idea to power down your track/system for a few seconds and then repower.
OK just tried what you suggested and the decoder is as good as dead. I cant get anything out of it. I tried to delete loco n it just keeps going back to the screen "cant select: old style con in use" when I press enter. I did redo the steps again n I could hear it chirping as I was going, but now there is nothing at all...
I managed to do something to get it out of con mode n now it says "loc" next to the loco number
I would just send it back. You could try to email qsi for an answer but it'd prob be at least Tues before they.answered you. Usually though if you can't program or reset the decoder, its shot and should just be returned.
OK....well I bought this one on ebay almost a year ago, and so I am thinkin that I am SOL on sending it back. I will fiddle with it a lil more n see if I can get something happening...might send an email to QSI
I think whatever I did might have toasted it...it wont even run on my DC track now. what are the chances of QSI sending me a new decoder for free?
