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"Powerhouse Prose" Tips on Operating.
[go to
NCE Corp. product page]
This information is an evolving tip sheet on operating
the Powerhouse Pro, DCC System from NCE Corporation.
January 2, 1999 Update
Mainline Address Change for PH Pro.
The Powerhouse Pro DCC system has a unique, exclusive
feature that allows the operator to change either the short or long
address while operating on the mainline. Here's how:
If you know the short address you can program the
long address as follows:
- Push program button (once). Display says : Program
on main.
- Press Enter. Display says : 1=CON 2=CV 3=CFG
- Press 2 (for CV programing). Display says : Program
CV #?
- Press 17 or 18 then Enter. Display says : Long
Addr:?
- Press long add digits, then enter. Display says
: Activate this address? 1=Yes
- Press 1 to activate long address.
- Press program to return to run mode.
To program the short addr when running the long
addr follow the above sequence and substitute CV1 for CV17 or CV18
in step 4, and enter short address in step 5.
Some Powerhouse Pro mode switches reversed.
Most PH Pro units shipped before Nov 1998 have the
mode switch that sets track polarity from normal to reverse for
multiple booster reverse loop applications mounted inverted. Thus
the loop designation is normal polarity non reversing and the normal
designation is for polarity reversing mode.
So for pre-November PH Pro users :
1. For running without a second reversing booster
set switch to loop position.
2. If you're using a reversing booster set switch to normal position.
October 6, 1998 Update
(1) When selecting a loco and entering an address
only enter the actual digits. Example for address: 3 you push:
If you use "0" and "3" the system sees this as a
long address. The only time you enter a "0" before the numeral is
when programming cab address.
(2) Program Track Isolation
In order to insure fail safe protection of the program
track, we recommend a dead section of track the length of your longest
locomotive between mainline power and program track. This protects
program track from damage due to another loco accidentally placed
over the gap.
Also, only one loco can be programmed at a time
and all lights should be turned off. High current from two locos
or lights will cause program circuit to shut down for protection.
(1) Program track cannot be used to operate
loco. All connections to program track must be soldered with min of
22 ga wire. Track and loco wheels must be clean.
(2) Escape. If your system or throttle is
locked up try the following:
- Press Enter Key
- Press Program Key
- Unplug Throttle (cab)
- Power Cycle System
- Check Cab Address
- Change Cab Cable
(3) Input Power Specs. PH Pro unit is limited
to a maximum of 18V AC or 26V DC input. Exceeding this voltage can
damage unit.
(4) Status Lights. The status light (red
LED) on the left face of the Powerhouse unit relates to the
DCC booster output as follows:
- LED on steady : DCC output nominal
- LED slow flash rate : DCC output shorted or track
shorted
- LED fast flash rate : no DCC output or low input
voltage lock out
- LED strobe flash : on 1/10 sec off 2 sec over
temp shutdown
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- The status light LED on the right front
panel of the Powerhouse unit indicates the nature of the DCC signal
output. Normal is yellow/amber, distinct red or green would indicate
a DC output bias and may be indication of booster malfunction.
(5) Cab Cables. As an option to the
flat cable that is provided with the Powerhouse systems Tony's supplies
plug and play spiral coil cables about 10 ft. long for $10.00.
(6) Ballistic Tracking : Encoder.
This means when you use the thumbwheel (encoder)
for speed control the faster you advance / turn the thumbwheel the
faster the rate of increase/decrease of speed. You can program the
rate from 1 - 7.
(7) Yard Mode.
The yard mode allows you to use the thumbwheel for
both speed & direction. The speed control buttons cannot be used
for yard mode. To implement yard mode proceed as follows -
We welcome
comments or suggestions from readers; please write
or call.
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