Trying to convert DC to DCC

[OnTheRightTrack]

Help! I have a 3'6" X 7' n scale layout that is currently DC. It has two outside main lines connected with a double crossover and the third line is connected with #6 turnouts and it is an over under figure eight with a small yard and siding. This is all Kato Unitrack and it works fine in DC I did have to add some other power leads to keep voltage up and prevent slow downs but other than that it works smooth in DC. I can run three trains on this layout all at the same time independently. I have an MRC Tech 220 and 280 which runs this whole set up. However, I purchased an NCE Powercab system removed all the power wires and placed themin the track power jack for the Powercab. The red light on the little panel blinks and my sole DCC locomotive (programmed previously) does nothing. I discovered that the Kato automatic three color signals I have are not dcc compatible but are they causing a short and preventing the whole thing from working? I know the loco works fine because I have a temporary loop of track in another room hooked up with an MRC prodigy express and it works like a "champ".

 

[cajon]

Make sure everything on your Power Cab setup is EXACTLY as shown in the manual. Alot of new Power Cab users use the wrong cable &/or have it plugged into wrong hole.

 

[OnTheRightTrack]

Thanks for the replay. No, it was hooked up correctly. I even tried my MRC Prodigy Express...same thing no response.

 

[cajon]

Thought it worked w/ your Prodigy? "know the loco works fine because I have a temporary loop of track in another room hooked up with an MRC prodigy express and it works like a "champ"."

 

[OnTheRightTrack]

Just for grins I hooked up the PowerCab to the test track I had and it works fine. Hey how do you use the CV readback feature of the powercab because I can't find it in the manual?

 

[OnTheRightTrack]

Thought it worked w/ your Prodigy? "know the loco works fine because I have a temporary loop of track in another room hooked up with an MRC prodigy express and it works like a "champ"."

Yeah it works fine with the Prodigy on the temporary test track but so does the Power Cab

 

[cajon]

Just for grins I hooked up the Power Cab to the test track I had and it works fine. Hey how do you use the CV readback feature of the Power Cab because I can't find it in the manual?

Go to page 35 of the manual for the Table of Contents of the programming section. Didn't even know it was there myself until finding by leafing thru it one day. Sure would be nice if there was a complete Table of Contents in front AND an Index in the back!

 

[cajon]

Yeah it works fine with the Prodigy on the temporary test track but so does the Power Cab

Then you have to check the wiring between the panel & tracks.

 

[Cjcrescent]

I'm assuming that the track is wired for multiple cabs, and by flipping switches you can assign a block to a cab.

Have you first tried flipping all blocks to a cab and then replacing just that cab with the Power Cab? If you haven't I would do so, and rerun the test. I would also undo the connections that you made, attaching all cab leads to one connection. This was a step that switching the track to one cab accomplishes. If then the system doesn't work, I would disconnect the track detection system, since its not DCC compatible, it could be the source of the problem by itself.

 

[OnTheRightTrack]

I'm assuming that the track is wired for multiple cabs, and by flipping switches you can assign a block to a cab.

Have you first tried flipping all blocks to a cab and then replacing just that cab with the Power Cab? If you haven't I would do so, and rerun the test. I would also undo the connections that you made, attaching all cab leads to one connection. This was a step that switching the track to one cab accomplishes. If then the system doesn't work, I would disconnect the track detection system, since its not DCC compatible, it could be the source of the problem by itself.

Don't have any "blocks" that I'm aware of I have some turnouts with insulated rail joiners and that's it. I don't have a track detection system installed either. The only switches I have control Kato turnouts.

 

[Cjcrescent]

Help! I have a 3'6" X 7' n scale layout that is currently DC. It has two outside main lines connected with a double crossover and the third line is connected with #6 turnouts and it is an over under figure eight with a small yard and siding. This is all Kato Unitrack and it works fine in DC I did have to add some other power leads to keep voltage up and prevent slow downs but other than that it works smooth in DC. I can run three trains on this layout all at the same time independently. I have an MRC Tech 220 and 280 which runs this whole set up. However, I purchased an NCE Powercab system removed all the power wires and placed themin the track power jack for the Powercab. The red light on the little panel blinks and my sole DCC locomotive (programmed previously) does nothing. I discovered that the Kato automatic three color signals I have are not dcc compatible but are they causing a short and preventing the whole thing from working? I know the loco works fine because I have a temporary loop of track in another room hooked up with an MRC prodigy express and it works like a "champ".

Don't have any "blocks" that I'm aware of I have some turnouts with insulated rail joiners and that's it. I don't have a track detection system installed either. The only switches I have control Kato turnouts.

I emphasized the part in your first post about the signals that indicated to me you have a working detection and signal system. I checked the description of the signals on the Walthers site, so you do have a detection system installed. Its located in the track the signals are attached to. Replace all the track pieces these signals are attached to with regular pieces of track.

Then I would connect and test each loop separately, first, just to make sure there isn't any additional trouble spots. They should work. Then connect them all to the Power Cab and you should be on your way.

 

[OnTheRightTrack]

That is excellent advice. I secured some regular straight sections of track to replace the signals/detection setup and I'm also going to replace the insulated rail joiners. I'm off tomorrow so I set at it then.