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NCE system is acting strange MRH product support
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New member 24 posts Mustang 61 New member 24 posts
Mustang 61

Hi everyone,

         I have an NCE system that is acting strange. When I plug in the power, without the track connector plugged in, the red light on the power panel is lit. When I plug in the track connector the red light goes out, that means no power the the track. Do I have a track wiring issue or something else??

Thanks! Scott

MRH: We updated your thread title to something more specific about you having a problem in order to increase your chances of getting a response.

Scott L

 Oxbow RR.  The Granite Route 
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joef MRH Founder 17,506 posts
joef

If that’s an NCE PowerCab System

If that’s an NCE PowerCab System, then your throttle is plugged into the wrong slot. You have two slots in the panel — move the master throttle cable to the other slot!

Joe Fugate​
Publisher, Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine

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Read my blog
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Prof_Klyzlr Moderator 7,957 posts
Prof_Klyzlr

Yes, likely Layout or Wiring short condition...

Dear Scott (Mustang),

Given your provious posts https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/35809I'm assuming you are using an NCE PowerCAB (starter system), Not the larger seperate-component Powerhouse PRO system, Is this correct?

Assuming YES:

- The PowerCAB "Hammerhead" throttle must be plugged in using the 6-wire FLAT cable

- It needs to plug into the LEFT socket on the Front of the "Power Cab Panel"

Assuming the above is done, the RED LED on the Panel indicates "Track Power" state.
There are 4 main reasons why the Track Power LED would "spontaneously" turn OFF.

1- PSU disconnected or power INPUT cut to the Panel

2- problem with the 6-wire cable (middle pair PWR IN or outer pair TRK OUT wires open-circuit)

3- System is in "Programming Track" mode (check the PowerCAB LCD screen, possible finger-trouble?)

4- TRK OUT (Track connection to layout) has a short circuit,
and the PowerCAB protection cut-out has done its job.

Given you did previously have a RED LED ON
(Track Power ON, and presumably correct PowerCAB operation at that time),

The "connect TRK OUT = RED LED goes out" symtoms does suggesting issue with something about the layout topside (short circuit due to derailment, loco straddling blocks or turnouts, metal tool left on tracks, etc)

Or the wiring
(had anyone/thing/pet been playing "under the layout" since last successful running session?).

NB that a "TRK OUT short circuit = PowerCAB protection shut-down" condition should _also_ make the PowrCAB LCD screen go blank (check and confirm).

Rest assured, if it worked correctly before,
the fault can be diagnosed and rectified, and it can run again...

...just gotta diagnose patiently and methodically...

Check the above 2x "must be right" points,
And the 4x "common reasons for symtoms",
and let us know the results...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr
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johndrgw Regular poster 209 posts
johndrgw

Lft socket with LED on the bottom

Just for clarification and as the picture with the link in Prof. Klyzir's post shows, the "Left" socket refers to the the left socket when the LED is on the bottom, not the top. The picture shows it well.

https://009adventure.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/nce-power-cab-set-up-and-working.jpg 

John
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