No power to track with NCE power cab

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Hello All,

Welcome anyone’s help with getting power to the track. I redid about 40% of the trackwork and after reconnecting the tracks, I don’t have any power to the track. The NCE light is bright read, so no short exists.

Here’s some of the checks I did:

  • Checked the electrical outlet and reads 120V
  • plugged in to correct (left side) with the red button on the bottom
  • Tested the track with a multi-meter and it reads zero.
  • Connected wires directly from the back of the panel to a piece of track and zero power
  • Removed all feeders from the buss wires and zero on the meter.
  • Put the two probes from the multi-meter to the NCE panel and it reads 16.6v! Rejoice!

It must be a user error, but I have no idea. Thoughts? This is very frustrating and I know there must be a simple solution.

Thanks!

PS: Happy to talk over the phone too if easier. Pls ping privately and I can give you my cell.

2

the red LED on the PTP means there is power to the terminals in the PTP.

are the connections to the PTP and between it and the track good?

3

I know this is dumb, but did you use the flat cable? The coiled cable won’t work as it doesn’t carry power.

Len S

4

Welcome back, @LenS

5

Hello,

Thnks for responding. Yes, connections are all set and using the correct wire. Just odd there’s no power going to the track.

6

if there is power at the PCP and not at the end of the wire from the PCP to the track, check if the connection to the PCP is good.

  • with one test probe on on rail and the other on the PCP screw to identify if just one or both connections are bad
  • is there power between the screws on the plug on the back of the PCP
  • reseat the the plug
  • re-insert the wires into the plug and re-tighten the screws
1 Like
7

after a phone call … seems that this problem is due to poor connections to the DCC bus under the layout (wires simply twist/wrapped around one another without any mechanical connector).

options include

  • wire nuts to connect the wires from the PCP to the end of the DCC bus

  • suitcase connectors to connect feeders to middle of the bus

  • stripping a short section of the bus wire and soldering feeder to it

  • wago connector

1 Like
8

Hello All,

To clarify, are you inquiring about the Power Cab “Starter Set” or the Power Pro?

I apologize for my confusion.

Before you redid the track, was the system working?

Some thoughts about your troubleshooting…

Have you consulted the appropriate NCE manual for the hookup diagram?

I agree that it’s probably something simple- -which can be the most difficult to troubleshoot.

Thank you in advance for answering my questions.

Hope this helps.