I am having problems with my PHP system since new.
Firstly I powered it up using old 1A Hornby controller that gives out 18.8V AC with no load. This made the PHP cycle on/off every second. Managed to get it to stay powered up by removing the bus cable and then putting it back in. Then spent an hour trying to program a loco address on the programming track. Gave up when I could smell burning!
Got a Lenz TR150 5A PSU and tried this. Unit powers up okay. Then spent another two hours trying to program a loco. Unit gets very hot and smells a bit but I can’t see any damage inside. The controller is doing all sorts of strange things. When I did manage to get a loco long address programmed on the programming track. I transferred it to the main track and it ran okay, however when I pick the loco up and put it back on the track the other way round it does not work. Very strange. Can’t get any life out of the sound loco’s either. Now the unit powers up but the status LED flashes. The RJ45 connectors seem loose as well, if you move them the cab can do a reset.
Have I damaged the unit by putting an over voltage in to start with? Has anyone else had similar experiences, how did you get round them?
Thanks
PaulWhitt20
I’m not sure what the max input volage on the NCE Pro is, but burning smells are never a good thing. I’m sure someone with more NCE experience will shed some light on this.
Sorry to hear about your mishap. Perhaps a good lesson learned in all this: You should ALWAYS be careful about mixing and matching a DCC system with a “different manufacturer’s” power supply - UNLESS you REALLY are savvy about electricity and/or have checked with someone or the manufacturer about whether the two will play nicely together. Hopefully NCE can do something for you.